Mission Statement

The Japanese Student Association (JSA) at Oneonta, is dedicated to sharing the many facets of Japanese culture with all students and promoting peaceful international relations on campus.  We endeavor to reach academic excellence and be an integral and positive part of the campus while promoting goodwill in our local community.  We are also committed to being a center of support, meeting the unique needs of Japanese students assimilating to the United States and SUNY College at Oneonta. 

Organizational Chart

The Japan Student Association exists to:

• Serve as resource-based support center for new and returning Japanese students.
• Provide Japanese political, social, cultural awareness to the campus and diverse student body
• Endeavor to promote unity among Japanese degree-seeking and exchange students, contributing to well-being of the individual adjusting to life in the U.S., campus life
• Pursue academic excellence, and encourage retention of Japanese students at SUNY College at Oneonta
• Provide meaningful activities and cultural events that are unique to Japanese students in a rural campus and provide access to Japanese markets and cities that meet the needs of these students and do not exist in the immediate area
• Contribute to campus diversification by creating a positive and proactive student body for peaceful relations
• Encourage American students to learn Japanese language in the SILP program, study abroad in Japan, while encouraging global friendships and mutual understanding among all cultures

Japan Earthquake, Tsunami Response

The Japan Student Association, partnering with the International Student Organization (ISO), Political Science Club, Sociology Club, Music Club, along with the generosity of donations received by SUNY Oneonta faculty, staff, and students and local Oneonta downtown businesses to date, raised $1,532.62, to be donated to the Japan Red Cross.

The JSA held a variety of events immediately following the Japan earthquake and tsunami and continues to hold Japan in its thoughts and prayers.

SUNY College at Oneonta is very proud of our Japanese student body, whose proactive response to the Japan tragedy included:

• Setting up donation boxes in the downtown Oneonta businesses
• Holding fundraising events with the ISO and providing “Pray for Japan” bracelets for participants
• Writing calligraphy for the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), helping raise donations and sympathy letters from donors
• Collected messages and Japanese origami at Indian Night by ISO
• Provided Japanese food at the Political Science Japan fundraising event
• Contributed musical talents, joining concerts to fundraise
• SUNY Oneonta Counseling Center will be planting a Sakura Tree (cherry blossom) in memorial for the victims of Japan
• We believe that sending video and pictures will provide something that the money cannot.
• Developed the “Smile Video Project,” encouraging SUNY schools to join – taking video messages to be sent to Japan along with donations.