Senate Swears in New Leadership, Passes Budget for 2026-2027

By Lucienne Burns | May 4, 2026

At last week’s senate meeting, Anastacia Pulman (left) and Ava-Rae Calloway (right) were sworn in as SA Vice President and President for next year.  Photo Credit: Lucienne Burns / The ASP

The Student Association (SA) Senate had their last meeting of the school year last Wednesday (4/29), and their agenda consisted of swearing in new leadership and senators, and passing the Internal and External Budget for 2026-2027. 

The total of the Calloway-Pulman Budget for the upcoming academic year is $2,662,284 which is approximately a 9% decrease from last year’s final budget. 

In the External Budget, cuts came from removing club allocations such as the Albany Sports Business Organization, Artistic Room to Create, Association of Latino Professionals for America, Book Club, Circle K and Girl Gains. These cuts saved approximately $20,000 in the External Budget. 

Other notable budget cuts included Association of South East Asian Students (46.62% decrease), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Student Chapter (36.84% decrease), Minority Association of Pre-Medical/Health Studies (85.97% decrease), Pitch Please (41.62% decrease) and P.U.L.S.E. (65.67% decrease).

In the Internal Budget, notable cuts included Director of Academic and Professional Affairs, Director of Disability and Health to reflect changing roles of those positions, along with substantial decreases in the personnel section regarding insurance. Summer training and operating costs were also completely cut from the Internal Budget. 

The projected student activity fee income for next year is estimated around $2.7 million, according to Comptroller Gabrielle Holness, covering the total Internal and External Calloway-Pulman Budget.

President-Elect Ava-Rae Calloway and Vice President-Elect Anastacia Pulman were sworn in at the meeting by Chief Justice Halimah Lawson and Deputy Chief Justice Plabon Saha. Following the leadership, senators for the upcoming academic year were additionally sworn in at the meeting.

Additionally, in anticipation of commencement season, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Dr. Michael Christakis spoke to thank the senate for their leadership and partnership throughout the year. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with you all again towards the common good, which is serving our students and improving the student experience," Dr. Christakis said. "Thanks for everything you do to make the Student Association a thriving, energetic, positive place to live or learn.