[6] The Association funds over 180 student groups and events on campus, including social, cultural, academic, and professional organizations.

[7] During the 1930s and 1940s, the Student Association assemblies addressed contemporary issues, including presidential campaigns, the New Deal, and World War II.

Over the decades, the changing nature of the college and successive Student Association constitutions gradually reduced Myskania's functions and powers.

[8] In 1982, University President Vincent O’Leary initiated the Purple and Gold program, inspired by Myskania's service aspects, such as "assisting at events and providing guides for high-school tours on campus.

[8] From the 1970s through the 1990s, the Student Association gained influence in academic affairs, including assessing the competence of teaching faculty and publishing the results of surveys in ACT and SCATE Booklets.

It was the seventh event for the series "World Within Reach", which also featured a string of high-profile speakers, including Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, Howard Dean, Karl Rove, and Russell Simmons.

[11] The constitutionality of these actions were challenged by Student Association members, who argued it set the precedent to overturn elections until the wanted result is obtained.

Further, the Court ruled the initial activity fee referendum took place during the midterm point of the semester, which was not "convenient for the greatest numbers of voters," further violating SUNY Board of Trustee guidelines.

Jemmott also established the President's Council, which brought together student leaders inside and outside of SA to meet once a month and collaborate.

Abreu spoke to Times Union in November 2016, saying Trump's comments against immigrants and Muslims made some populations of students anxious.

Fontaine's plans for the Student Association focused on improving budget transparency and emphasizing academic excellence and mentorship.

[16] Concerns were raised by the Student Association, and legislation was introduced to call on the University to support Jewish holidays like Yom Kippur.

[17] A divided Student Association voted down the resolution, urging the University at Albany to keep the religious holidays off for the following academic year.

[18] In the 2019-2020 academic year, the Board of Finance launched an investigation into the Student Association President Desann Chin-Carty for the misuse of funds.

It also urged the university to establish a task force responsible for identifying and renaming buildings that presently bear names reflecting racist ideologies or histories.

In March 2021, the Student Association Elections Commission launched a formal investigation into alleged unethical campaign conduct by then-President-elect Bryan Ramsaran.

Goudiaby's For The People campaign had faced subsequent backlash for uncovered tweets insinuating COVID-19 was being spread by a specific ethnic group.

His supporters in the Senate had tried to re-instate his win during a 10-hour meeting in executive session that attempted to void the decision by the Elections Commission and grant Ramsaran signatory powers.

The president-elect, Abdoullah Goudiaby, called a special session with all heads of branches to formulate a plan to facilitate the restoration of SA's functionality and integrity.

[25] At the special session, Goudiaby was sworn in as Student Association President with the newly-elected senators, effectively defeating the attempt by Ramsaran.

[27] In 2023, President Jalen Rose and Vice President Crawford engaged in talks with UAlbany's Provost, Carol Kim, discussing various academic-related matters including extending the S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) course option dates, addressing issues related to academic advisors and faculty advisors not meeting students' expectations, and reducing the cost of printing for students[28] The University at Albany Student Association met on October 4, 2023 to pass legislation that would make an official call on the university to halt the merger of Africana Studies (AFS) and Latin American, Caribbean & U.S. Latino Studies (LACS) departments.

[31] On November 13, 2023, the Student Association questioned Provost Carol Kim over the merger, marking her first visit to the SA boardroom all semester.

[33] Six months later, after the Al-Shifa Hospital siege, the Student Association passed a Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) resolution calling for a ceasefire and “End to University Complicity in Genocide,” drawing protest and support.

[38] Additionally, resignations,[39] debates over committee appointments,[40] gridlock on key bills,[41] and the closure of Dippikill Wilderness Retreat impacted the Student Association’s stability throughout the semester.

The Student Association tracks the purchases and balances of each club every year, and any decisions about increases or decreases in funding are based on those records.

[48] In late 2019, the Student Association gave less funding than requested for the fiscal year of 2019-20, but added money for more buses to the camp.

[51] According to Assistant Director of Operation Heidi LaPrairie, the retreat "had a history of issues with the general public with regards to misuse and abuse of [the] property.

[53] For the fiscal year ending in June 2023, the Student Association told the IRS that it had collected $470,000 in revenue, but paid out $530,000 in expenses.

The Student Association did not explain the reasons for the closure, but the organization gave a statement saying it had to close the retreat due to "significant financial strain".