History of the FSA

1950's

May 9, 1951 - FSA Incorporated. The Faculty Student Association of the Fredonia Teachers College is one of many auxiliary service corporations implemented at SUNY institutions. These organizations, originally led by the highest-ranking members of the college administration would be responsible for maintaining services not otherwise provided by the state such as dining halls, campus bookstore, vending machines, and laundry. FSA would quickly become essential to providing a campus environment that allowed Fredonia to serve students, faculty, and the community in ways that the state could not. 

Gregory Hall opens, also known as the College Union that includes the campus bookstore, which moved from the original location in Fenton Hall to the 2nd floor, and on the main level you find a dining room, and lounge.

October 2, 1951 - The Faculty Student Association is first mentioned in the Leader

1953 - First food service committee formed

Campus dining was originally leased out to a private corporation called Cease Commissary Service. In June 1954, that contract was terminated and FSA now self-operates dining. Leslie J. Shaw hired as first superintendent of food services at $5,200/year.

1954 - allocated $1,000 to produce 12" long‑playing records of Fredonia music ensembles and purchased ten Westinghouse Laundermat machines; sets washing cost at 25¢

1958 -$8,000 in funds allocated for improvements to the College Lodge from FSA, SGA, and the Foundation. Move Towards Student Representation, and the FSA Board passes a policy to allow two student observers to attend board meetings which were normally closed to the public. 

Funds generated by the FSA were reinvested into the campus community, helping to improve the college experience. In 1959, funds were given to create a promotional film titled “Spotlight on Fredonia” for the college, which would contribute to increasing growth in the coming years. These contributions improve the college experience for thousands of students and shaped the FSA’s philanthropic role to this day.   

1960's -

The 1960's for the FSA represented a period of growth and change.

1961 - Cranston Hall opens after corridor style residence hall expansion that includes new dining hall. $5,000 approved to convert Gregory Hall’s old dining room into a snack bar and game area.  

1964 - 272 Central Avenue purchased. House purchased for $49,000; used for student housing and later considered for faculty club.  

1966 - First voting student board member appointed.

1967 - services complex opens – Central Food Commissary, designed to service the entire campus, includes a bakery, meat and vegetable preparation areas, dry storage, refrigeration and freezer spaces. Named for Leslie Shaw, who worked with FSA from 1954-1979.

While it was owned by the Alumni Association previously, the FSA was in a better situation financially to manage the property and took control of the Mackie Memorial Camp in 1967. Located just outside the Village of Brocton, this property was originally built in 1941 as a ski resort.

1970's - 

With a new labor law passed in 1969, it was now mandatory that FSA employees be represented by a union. This would start the process of collective bargaining that would shape the FSA workplace for employees to the present day. At first, FSA employees had the chance to be represented by the Hotel, Restaurant, and Bar Workers Union, but this proposal was turned down in a vote of 18-64. On May 14th, 1971, CSEA was chosen as the collective bargaining unit for the FSA. This ensured regular pay raises, competitive vacation time, and tuition reimbursement, which all helped to make the FSA an exceptional workplace even into the present day. 

November 10, 1970 — FIRST FSA liquor license obtained

• Serving of alcoholic beverages scheduled to begin November 13, 1970.

May 14, 1971 — Strong financial performance

• Bookstore and food services reported as being in good financial condition and ahead of projections.
 • CSEA becomes bargaining agent for FSA employees.

November 16, 1972 — Board size opens to more student representation

• Article IV removed from bylaws, potentially allowing four or five student directors though quorum concerns remain.

April 5, 1973 — New meal plan structure

• Meal Plans A, B, C instituted (ranging from $315 to $242 per semester).

May 30, 1973 — Golf driving range funded

• $500 granted for a campus golf driving range, which quickly becomes profitable.
 • First discussion of creating the Rathskeller.

November 13, 1973 — New Operation

•Topiary Tree opens.

August 21, 1974 — Texas Instruments lease

• Lakeside house and cottages leased: $150/month for lab, $400/month for buildings. This opened the door for faculty and students to conduct research sponsored by Texas Instruments at the site.

January 27, 1975 — Technology upgrade

• Mini‑computer installed in the FSA office to centralize operations.

July 2 & 16, 1975 — Environmental Education Center proposed

• Plans begin for environmental research center at College Lodge.
 • Cabins considered for relocation from the lakeshore property to the College Lodge.

September 16, 1976 — Major dining enhancements

• Cranston Hall carpeted; Erie Hall receives new kitchen equipment.
 • Salad bar added to Topiary Tree; pizza/sub shop added to snack bar.
 • Meal plans increase to 2,522 contracts.

January 21, 1977 — Governance restructuring

• President of the College no longer allowed to serve as FSA director.
 • First indication of formalized board term lengths.

February 27, 1978 — Environmental program proposed

• Dr. Parker proposes environmental education program at Lodge; logging project is delayed.
 • FSA loans $5,000 to College Foundation to avoid liquidation of their stock market assets.

September 12, 1978 — Executive leadership change

• W. Thomas Smith resigns as Executive VP; nationwide search initiated.

December 13, 1978 — New Executive Director hired

• Sheldon Westman appointed Executive Director at $27,000/year.

April 5, 1979 — Topiary Tree liquor license approved

• FSA receives official approval for Topiary Tree alcohol service.
 • Tuition reimbursement plan created for employees.

October 12, 1979 — Lakeside property sale completed

• FSA holds mortgage on the Lakefront property that was sold.

In 1977, Program Funding guidelines established opening up opportunities. With these guidelines came a formal request form and wider publication of this through the Campus Report, the Leader, and WCVF. As a result, a variety of projects would be approved such as $250 for planetarium guides, $12,500 in new scholarships, $2000 for dorm education programing, $1500 for faculty recruitment, along with many more initiatives

1980's

The 1980s represented another period of change and expansion. Reflected in the “Service is Our Goal” moto, improvements in dining services including student input and nutrition planning were put in place.

Campus Center dining operations also opened with names chosen by students demonstrating continued student involvement.

Meanwhile communication expanded through “Newgrams” reaching 4,000 copies monthly.

The College Lodge also saw unprecedented growth with the addition of a ropes course and the Buffalo Bills training camp brought additional summer revenue.

By 1981, the FSA employed about 470 people greatly contributing to the local economy.

1981 - the slogan of “Friendly Service Always” 

1984 - the Campus Center, which is now known as the Williams Center adds a new food court and retail location - Union Park 

Despite growth, the 1984 drinking age change reduced revenue prompting adjustments in operations.
 

1990s

The 1990s started with strong revenue and program funding once again supporting scholarships, the Career Fair, and community initiatives.

With over 300 student employees, a 10-hour minimum work week requirement was implemented to manage staffing.

Dining preferences shifted during this time, leading to new services like the McEwen Hall café thus improving access for commuter students.

The College Lodge continued to grow attracting corporations such as Dupont to use the site for training programs.

Technology expanded throughout the 90s, with campus cable TV (1994) and the bookstore launching online sales in 1999.

Board representation also improved by including classified staff and alumni members demonstrating the FSA’s desire to include diverse voices.

October 3, 1990

• 3,280 meal contracts that fall.
• Fax service introduced at the bookstore.
• FSA meetings officially open to the public.

November 5, 1990

• Ropes course added at College Lodge.
• Sand volleyball court added; 5k cross‑country ski trail nearly complete.
• Bookstore joins College Stores Cooperative for improved buying power.
• FSA rejects request to publish a freshman resource book. 

December 14, 1990

• FSA enforces 10‑hour work minimum for student employees. 

March 25, 1991

• Business First article highlights DuPont’s use of Lodge ropes course for employee training. 

February 7, 1994

• Largest graduating class in May 1993 noted.
• FSA + Residence Life collaborate on bringing cable TV to dorms (16k study).

January 29, 1999

• Online textbook ordering planned.

By the end of the decade the FSA’s impact on campus was widely recognized.

2000s to the Present - 

As the FSA moved into the 2000s, the evolution of the corporation continued resulting in the construction of University Commons (2006) and the addition of new dining options like Starbucks.

By 2011, the FSA began self-operating all cafes allowing profits to stay on campus.

With enrollment peaking around 2010, new locations opened providing flexibility for students.

A major theme of the 2000s is sustainability, including windmills, solar panels, biodiesel partnerships, and EV chargers.

• However, declining enrollment led to closures of some operations ensuring financial stability.

2000

• Fenton Café opens, expanding campus coffee and snack options and beginning a new era of specialty dining.

2004

• FSA makes its largest capital investment in history to support construction of the University Commons.

2006

• University Commons opens, permanently reshaping the campus retail and dining footprint..

2008

• Blue Devil Grill opens (originally called Trendz) as part of the new Centre Pointe operations.
• Also around this time:
  Centre Pointe Food Court(2008–2019) becomes a major FSA dining hub.

2010

• Undergraduate enrollment peaks, marking the highest student demand for FSA services in the modern era.

2010–2011

Windmill Renewable Energy Project

• Class of ’59 donates $10,000 to begin renewable energy efforts.
• Two windmills installed around 2010, costing $50,000 total.
• Installed by Royal Wind and Solar, producing 20 kW. 

2011  

• FSA begins operating all campus cafés in‑house, keeping all profits on campus — a major operational shift.

Fall 2012

• Tim Hortons opens, quickly becoming one of the most popular dining locations.
• FSA builds the Williams Center Patio, further expanding student lounge and outdoor seating space. 

2013

• Erie Dining Hall closes after students overwhelmingly choose Tim Hortons over traditional dining.

2015

• Solar panels installed at the College Lodge:

Cost: $32,000

• Supplements existing wind energy system
• This marks the Lodge as a hybrid renewable‑energy site.

2010–2021 

• Undergraduate enrollment declines by 1,800 students between peak (2010) and Fall 2021, requiring major meal‑plan flexibility and adjustments in FSA operations.

2022

Two major closures reflecting shifting student preferences and lower enrollment:

• Tim Hortons closes
• Blue Devil Grill closes

Despite the challenges of low enrollment, the FSA continues to provide high-quality services and over $360,000 in campus support funding.