The Student Association of the State University of New York (SASU) was established in the Summer of 1970 by five student governments in the State University of New York system. Spurred on by the appointment of a new chancellor without student input and the Board of Trustees proposal to alter the rules governing student fees without consulting students, students demanded a greater role in the decision making processes on campus and more input into the administration of their institutions. In October 1970, SUNY student government leaders gathered in Albany for the first plenary session of the newly incorporated Student Association of the State University of New York. At this time, the SASU main objectives were to provide direct services to student governments, student government organizations, and students in SUNY and monitor the organizations that administer SUNY and higher education in New York State. Committees were created in several areas to answer to the needs of the membership, including legislation, consumer services, communications, university affairs, and later in the decade minority and women's affairs. The SUNY Central Administration did not formally recognize SASU as a legitimate representative of SUNY students and therefore the Council of Student Association Presidents suggested that another organization be created that would be recognized by the administration. On April 25, 1973, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a State University Student Assembly, whose purpose is to provide a formal structure for communication between University students, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees. The Student Assembly pledged its support of SASU, and stated that it intended to cooperate with SASU on all matters of mutual interest. Thus, despite identical personnel, SASU and the Student Assembly remained legally separate entities committed to working together towards influencing policy decisions of a State-wide nature which affect SUNY students.
From the description of Student Association of the State University of New York records, 1970-1985. (University at Albany). WorldCat record id: 122482121
