Grace Vaccaro, Staff Writer
The first week of November celebrates First-Gen students. First-Gen students means neither of their parents earned a bachelor’s degree. 40% of the 2026 undergraduate class is First-Gen. Faculty, staff, and students were invited to join the Office of Student Experience for a variety of events recognizing the achievements, strengths, and experiences of first-generation students. Throughout the week, students could connect with campus resources, hear first-gen stories, meet new people, enjoy free food, create crafts, participate in the Campus Resource Scavenger Hunt, and celebrate our first-gen community.
One of the events hosted was Fall In Love with Reading. This event was in the Dewey Area of Milne Library and was from 2- 4 p.m. It was hosted by SUNY Oneonta’s Milne Library, Counseling Center, and Office of Student Experience.
At this event, students could make miniature books. There was a mixture of recent and older books of every genre for students to choose from. Students also got jars to take home with their mini books. If students RSVP’d to this event, they could request specific books for their jars. This event also had Tiny, the therapy dog. Embracing a fall theme, there was apple cider, sugar cookies, and donuts catered. All students who attended were entered into a raffle to win a stuffed version of Tiny the therapy dog.
Students loved the relaxing vibe and easy decorative craft. One student attending the event filled her jar with all of her favorite romance books. Another student chose books on her “to-read” list, creating a fun way to decide what would be her next read.
Another event hosted in celebration of First-Gen Week was the Stuff-A-Dragon event in the Waterfront Room in Hunt Union. Students received their own plush version of our mascot, Red the dragon, which they could stuff themselves. Students were given hearts to put inside their stuffed animals, similar to Build-A-Bear. They could also dress their dragon in a Oneonta T-shirt.
Students were also given birth certificates for their stuffed animals, where they could give their dragon a name and other traits such as their favorite hobby and color. One student created a dragon to give to their roommate, who is a First-Gen student, saying that they are “happy to be celebrated this week.”
This week has truly been a celebration of all of our amazing First-Gen students. The Office of Student Experience kicked off First-Gen Celebration Week by giving away “I AM F1RST” and “F1RST-GEN SUPPORTER” buttons. There is a campus-wide scavenger hunt that will familiarize students with the many resources available. Some of the stops include the Financial Aid office and the Accessibility Resources in the library. If a student completes the scavenger hunt, they will be entered into a raffle for a Starbucks gift card.
As the week comes to an end, be on the lookout for the final and future events for our First-Gen students. Oneonta is proud of these students and is here to support them from their first and final year on campus.
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