Knight’s Spotlight

Name: Edina R. Oestreicher
Department: Student Programming and Community Services
Position: DirectorHow long have you been working at UB?
I am doing my ninth year.
What is your job at UB?
I am Director of Student Programming and Community Services.
Are there any new activities going on that you would like to let everyone know about?
Starting in January we have two new things. On Friday, January 28th, we will be having a free shuttle service every other Friday night from 6:30 to 12:00 for the whole semester that will pick up here on Park Avenue and take students to the Trumble Theaters, Trumble Mall, and the Stop and Shop Plaza. So far the feedback from students on that has been positive. In the fall we plan to have everything from a fall weekend escape to a ski trip, cosmic bowling, a trip to New York City, paint ball, a trip to Boston, midnight in Manhattan, a night ski trip here in Connecticut, and I have been taking to one of the Fraternities about having club runs to New Haven so that students won’t have to drink and drive. So there will definitely be something to do every weekend. We also have a Salvation Army Bless the Children Tree where students and faculty can donate a gift to children of low-income homes. Lastly, on Monday December 13th there will be a free midnight breakfast open to all students at Marina Dining Hall.
Do you feel that there are any activities that should be added to our activities department? What are they?
Some of the needs that students have expressed to me is the need to get off campus more and we’re trying to improve that by having the new shuttle service in the fall. Also, I think that we should have a greater diversity of on-campus events because we tend to get into the routine of the typical dance party with a DJ and I want to see some more diversity whether it be having some more guest speakers or having a comedian, hypnotist or concerts here on campus.
What is your favorite thing about the activities department here at UB?
Working with the students! I like the diversity of the students and the energy. The fact that this is a small school allows me to build relationships with students and have an opportunity to really connect with them and work with them to create change on campus. I feel (and I hope that students feel) that since this is a small school, students don’t feel that they are just a number in a sea of people but rather that they have the opportunity to make change here on campus.
I was told that you celebrate Hanukkah. Could you enlighten us on some of the rituals that are typically celebrated?
It starts on Tuesday December 7th and it runs for eight nights. What my family does is light the Menorah every night. We give small gifts to the children every night and towards the end of the holiday on the sixth or seventh night we have a party and get together with the whole family. It is actually a minor holiday and gifts are not traditionally given but since it is around the same time as Christmas it is celebrated more.