Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Life and Student Services



SUNY Plattsburgh students plan and participate in many programs outside the classroom. Such programs depend upon the cooperation of all campus constituencies, and the college community regards them as an integral part of the educational experience.

Art, Music, and Theatre Organizations and Plattsburgh State Art Museum

Students are welcome to join the activities of the art, music, and theatre departments. These departments and the art museum are all represented on the campus Arts Council which is supported by the Student Association. They work together to bring outstanding performances and visual arts to the campus.

Students may refine music performance skills by playing or singing in one or more of our many performing ensembles. They are open to all SUNY Plattsburgh students, whatever their majors, for credit. For more information, please check our website at www.plattsburgh.edu/music/ensemble.php.

Students that are interested in acting or theatre production may participate in any of the Theatre department’s faculty-directed productions, which range from classics to contemporary as well as original plays. A musical is offered every other year in conjunction with the Music Department. Theatre provides students with opportunities to develop skills in performance, design, directing, dramaturgy, and technical theatre. Participation is open to all SUNY Plattsburgh students.

The visual arts provide students with a wide variety of art history and studio art experiences, including sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, painting, and graphic design. Students also have access to Plattsburgh State Art Museum’s Burke Gallery, Slatkin Study Room, Rockwell Kent Gallery and Edward and Bette Brohel Museum Without Walls installations. Students interested in joining any of the above organizations or learning more about how they can enjoy the arts while at SUNY Plattsburgh are welcome to visit the art, music, and theatre departments and the Plattsburgh State Art Museum (www.plattsburgh.edu/museum) in the Myers Fine Arts Building.

Campus Dining Services

For a complete listing of dining facilities, hours of operation, free Campus Dietitian services and catering information go to www.plattsburghcas.com.

Campus Dining Services, operated by Chartwells, provides a quality dining experience for students, faculty, staff and visitors to SUNY Plattsburgh through its two resident dining facilities (Clinton and Algonquin) and a host of retail facilities across campus.

Clinton Dining Hall offers a wide variety of choices along with a constantly changing menu. Food is freshly prepared in different cooking styles within full view of the diner. Guests can enjoy The Grill (burgers, fries, sandwiches and chicken), The Wok (authentic stir fry), The Deli (wraps and deli sandwiches), Terre Ve (vegetarian and vegan options), The Kitchen (home style meals), The Hearthside Oven (pizzas, calzones, flat bread pizzas, pastas and sauces), The Fresh Market (fresh made salads, soups, crepes, Belgian waffles, homemade pastries and parfait choices) and an “Allergy Awareness Area” serves customers with special dietary needs and includes made without gluten breads, soups and salad.

Algonquin Dining Hall features a completely organic salad bar, organic breads, fruits, daily specials, a New York style deli and a variety of desserts. Chefs prepare stir fry creations in an exhibition-style cooking format. In addition, Algonquin offers the Balance U station for healthy dining as well as an “Allergy Awareness Area”.

Little Al’s is a takeout place with a dine-in option. Little Al’s is located adjacent to Big Al’s and features soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and desserts.

The Sundowner is located on the first floor of the Angell College Center and is a state-of-the-art food court facility. Stations include an Asian concept, Rosso Verde (pizza, pasta and entrees featuring local New York products), Coyote Jacks (grill items), Freshens (smoothies and frozen yogurt), and Pia Dori (freshly made deli sandwiches served cold or warmed on a panini grill, and upscale flat bread sandwiches - all served with homemade chips). Chop’d is the specialty salad section and offers an opportunity to create your own salad priced by the ounce. As a convenience for the night owls on campus, Late Night at the Sundowner is available.

Scoops is located on the first floor in the Angell College Center in Campus Express (the college convenience store). Scoops is SUNY Plattsburgh’s version of an old fashioned ice cream shop with delicious ice cream and fresh baked goodies to satisfy
your sweet tooth.

Subway is located in the Angell College Center and serves freshly made hot and cold subs, salads, and soups.

Griddles is located on the first floor of the Angell College Center next to Subway. Whenever your day begins, Griddles serves breakfast all day. Lunch choices enhance menu options.

Tim Hortons, located on the second floor of the Angell College Center, specializes in delicious coffee, fresh pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Einstein Bros. Bagels is open on the first floor of Hawkins Hall. Enjoy fresh bagels, specialty sandwiches, soups, salads and beverages.

Samuel D’s is located in Sibley Hall. Campus Dining Services staff work directly with Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management students providing hands-on experience in the operation of a Starbucks coffee shop. A bagel bar with salads and pastries is available for in-house dining or take out.

For a complete listing of dining facilities, hours of operation, free Campus Dietitian services and catering information, go to www.plattsburghcas.com.

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) provides comprehensive career education and development resources to support students and alumni for lifelong professional success. Our services include personal career assessments, career consultations, print and online materials,  assistance with career document preparation, job and internship search, company and industry research, graduate school applications and interview preparation. We host several career events each year, including the Annual Career Fair, the Part Time Job Fest and the Graduate and Professional School Fair. The CDC, in partnership with the Plattsburgh University Foundation, offers Applied Learning Grants to support students with pre-professional experiences.

            The online resources make the CDC accessible 24/7. CardinalConnect is the primary online career management system, available through MyPlattsburgh. In addition, we provide GoinGlobal for international careers, CareerShift for industry research, and Candid Careers for exploration. Assessments include True Colors, Strong/Holland and MBTI. The CDC also serves students and alumni through our social media channels at Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

            The CDC has developed a four-year career strategies plan; students are strongly encouraged to work with the CDC beginning with their first semester and continuing through alumni years. Please visit www.plattsburgh.edu/studentlife/careers to see our website.

 

Center for Diversity, Pluralism, and Inclusion

The Center for Diversity, Pluralism, and Inclusion (CDPI) participates in efforts to maintain an academic environment that will attract, recruit, retain, and prepare a diverse group of students to assume leadership roles in a global society. It does this by challenging them to consider others’ realities as well as their own. CDPI promotes the development of collaborations between and among faculty, staff, administration, and the Plattsburgh community which expand the intellectual and social horizons of everyone who interacts with the Center. Evidence of this commitment can be seen in the partnership between CPDI and PSU Sports Program and CDPI’s ongoing relationship with Residence Life. In support of both the leadership development of the student population and the professional development of the faculty and staff, CDPI developed and teaches the general education course Examining Diversity through Film. This course serves as the signature piece for the CDPI-led campus wide Curriculum Inclusion Initiative. CDPI also sponsors a number of events and programs on campus, such as the monthly Diversity Film Series and W.R.A.P. sessions, both the Faculty and the Student Panel Discussion Series, and Diversity Enlightenment Sessions. CDPI also collaborates with other campus organizations to feature speakers and various other activities. Additionally, CDPI provides an introductory diversity workshop for the Student Orientation program and offers diversity workshops throughout the year on campus and throughout the community.

Child Care Center

The center is a not-for-profit corporation which is operated as a service to the college community and is licensed to provide developmentally appropriate care for children between the ages of eight weeks and five years. Located on campus, the center offers full-time enrollment as well as a half-day preschool, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuition rates reflect the market rate for child care in the area. Eligible student families may apply for a Child Care and Development Block Grant which can defray the cost of tuition considerably, if funds are available.

The staff, selected for their education and experience in early education and child development, strive to plan meaningful days for children in a nurturing, stimulating environment. Emphasis is placed on supporting each child’s development of self-esteem and self-confidence resulting in the child’s ability and desire to learn. For more information, call 518-564-2274.

Student Conduct Office

The Student Conduct Office is located on the 6th floor of the Kehoe Administration Building. It is responsible for administration of the campus judicial (student discipline) system.  It also houses the SUNY Plattsburgh Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Student Leadership Honor Society.

Educational Opportunity Program

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides comprehensive academic and financial support services to New York state residents who qualify both academically and financially. Services include academic and personal counseling, a pre-freshman summer program, tutoring, reading and writing skills programs, and the administration of special financial aid funds.

Fitness Center

The Fitness Center is a paid-membership program consisting of a 5,000 square foot area in Memorial Hall housing cardiovascular equipment, resistive weight equipment, and a free-weight area. A separate, adjacent 1,800 square foot area is used for aerobic activities. Another activity room offers an additional 2,700 square foot area for group cycling and kickboxing classes. Hood Hall has a Fitness Center with approximately 1,200 square feet of exercise space. This facility provides dedicated access to students living on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus who are paid members of the Fitness Center Program. The Fitness Center is also air-conditioned.

The Fitness Center program also offers access to an indoor climbing gym with opportunities to boulder, and top rope. The varied climbing terrain will reward the first-time climber and the most experienced.

With a membership exceeding 3,000 students, faculty, and staff per semester (over 50 percent of the campus community), the Fitness Center is known as the place to be on campus. Member services include orientation, personal training, strength and conditioning, nutrition analysis, fitness assessment, and classes in aerobics, kickboxing, spinning, yoga, and pilates.

The Fitness Center also hosts AFAA Personal Trainer Certification and Aerobic Instructor Certification once a year. For more information, call 518-564-3143 or visit the website at www.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/fitnesscenter.

Fraternity/Sorority Life

Fraternity/Sorority Life provides support, advice, and services regarding effective organizational management to fraternities and sororities. The office also provides values-driven educational programming to assist members in creating an ideal fraternal experience that encompasses the core principles of Friendship, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Programming emphasis is placed on ethical leadership, character development, diversity, service learning, membership development, continuous recruitment, lifelong membership, and the concept of community. By participating in programs and partnerships developed by this office, students affiliated with fraternities and sororities learn, through collaboration and interfraternalism, the skills and concepts necessary for creating a positive Fraternity/Sorority Community. This office oversees all values-driven fraternities and sororities, governance councils, and auxiliary organizations.

Global Education Office

The staff members in the Global Education Office (GEO) provide a range of services to international students studying at SUNY Plattsburgh, and to all students wishing to study away from campus for a short period of time. Within GEO, there are three functional areas: international admissions, international student services, and study abroad and exchanges. For international students, the staff provides assistance and support from the point of initial inquiry through graduation. For students wishing to study away from campus, staff members assist with all the details related to selecting, applying for, enrolling in and completing one of the over 600 study abroad and exchange program options available through SUNY Plattsburgh.

The GEO staff makes every effort to help international and study away students fulfill their academic goals. The office is located in Kehoe 210 for walk-in advisement during regular business hours. For information call 518-564-3287; fax 518-564-3292 or email: geo@plattsburgh.edu.

Intercollegiate Athletics

SUNY Plattsburgh is a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

The college sponsors 17 varsity sports. Men’s sports include baseball, cross country, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, indoor track, outdoor track, and lacrosse. Women’s sports include cross country, ice hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, indoor track, outdoor track, and softball.

The women’s ice hockey team won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2007 with an undefeated season. They also repeated as national champions in 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Cardinals have also won two national championships in men’s ice hockey and have had several individual champions in track. Conference championships have been won in softball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s ice hockey, and men’s ice hockey. Each year, SUNY Plattsburgh student athletes are selected for athletic and academic All America honors. Since the 2005-06 academic year, the Cardinals have been in the top 25 percent in the NACDA Directors’ Cup final standings each year, measuring the nation’s best athletic departments based on finish in NCAA Division III Championships.

The college operates two main athletic facilities. Memorial Hall hosts basketball and volleyball, while the Field House is home to cross country, soccer, ice hockey, track, lacrosse, softball, and baseball.

Intramurals and Recreational Sports Program

The intramural and recreational sports program strives to engage the college community in enhancing the quality of life and educational experience by providing services, facilities, and opportunities to participate in sports and training programs that respond to a diverse college community.

The intramural program sponsors tournaments in flag football, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball, and softball. They offer one day tournaments in tennis, racquetball, 3v3 basketball, 2v2 sand volleyball, kickball and dodgeball.  The sports club program includes men’s and women’s rugby, co-ed ultimate frisbee, cheerleading, martial arts, men’s and women’s lacross, golf, climbing club, pick up ice hockey, pick up volleyball, kick line, runners high a running club, a marksmanship club, multiple dance groups and fishing.  The Recreational and Sports program supports special requests for facilities and equipment by campus groups who want to organize their own events, and informal open recreation and pool hours that allow for a variety of free time for the drop-in do-my-own-thing sports individual.  

In addition, the Department of Recreational Sports provides special programming opportunities for the college and community: the American Red Cross youth learn to swim program; noncredit lifeguard training and lifeguard review courses; and the CPR/First Aid/AED program of initial training or renewals for individuals, groups, programs, or departments on campus that require certification of employment or clinical experiences. CPR/FA/AED noncredit instructor courses are also offered. Check the website at www.plattsburgh.edu/studentlife/recsports for more details.

Learning Center

The Claude J. Clark Learning Center, located in Feinberg Library Room 103, is an important academic support resource for SUNY Plattsburgh faculty, staff members, and students. The Learning Center’s professional and student staff work together to provide a quality peer tutoring program. Tutoring is available in over 150 courses each semester. Students can schedule appointments (minimum one day in advance) between noon - 8:45 p.m. Monday - Thursday, noon - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, and 4 - 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Math, Statistics, and Writing walk-ins are available and allow students the flexibility of dropping in for assistance as their schedules permit. In addition, the Learning to Learn workshop series is offered by request and focuses on developing or strengthening academic skills such as goal-setting, time management, and exam preparation. For more information, call 518-564-6138 or visit our website at www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/learningcenter.

Learning Disabilities and Physically Challenging Conditions

All students requiring on-campus accommodations of any kind must register with the Student Support Services Office located at 110 Angell College Center, 518-564-2810. Alternative testing, note takers, readers, audiovisual aids, advocacy, and career, personal, and academic counseling are generally available.

New Student Orientation

The college conducts a series of two and one-half day summer orientation programs for freshmen students and a series of one day sessions for transfer students. An extensive family orientation is held concurrently with these sessions. SUNY Plattsburgh’s New Student Orientation affords the opportunity to register early for classes and to gain the information and insight needed to feel comfortable about the transition to college life at Plattsburgh. The program allows students and families to establish a comfort level with the campus and college environment prior to arrival in the fall.

On-Campus Housing

The college’s 12 residence halls feature educational, social, and cultural programs and services designed to help students succeed with their academic pursuits and to participate meaningfully in their collegiate experience. All full-time undergraduate students must live in residence halls, except married students; students who live at home within 60 miles, with parents or guardians, and commute from their home address; students 21 years of age before Oct. 1 of the academic year in which they enroll; students who have been enrolled full time at college and have lived on campus four semesters; and students who are closed out of campus housing who must live off campus.

Every possible effort is made to accommodate individual tastes and values within the residence community. Opportunities exist for requesting particular rooms/roommates, and individual attention is given to special needs of students. Each residence hall has a residence director (R.D.) and residence assistants (R.A.s) who work with students to create a positive community and to enforce community standards. In addition, each residence hall is part of an area government which assumes responsibility, along with the staff, for planning events and programs. Residence hall staff and government positions are great opportunities for students to get involved and develop leadership skills.

Off-Campus Residence Living

SUNY Plattsburgh does not own or operate any off-campus housing nor does it inspect, approve, or supervise off-campus facilities. In addition, the college does not become a party to private landlord-tenant matters. The Housing & Residence Life Office does maintain a listing of available off-campus housing to assist students.

Facilities in this listing have been inspected and approved by the City of Plattsburgh Building Inspector’s Office. A placement service is not available.

Parking/Vehicle Registration

Campus Traffic and Parking Regulations states that students shall register all vehicles parked on campus with the University Police and display a valid parking decal within 48 hours after starting a session. Registration includes confirming enrollment (accepting parking charges on the student bill) either online or directly through Student Accounts, and registering a vehicle in the MyPlattsburgh portal under the “Automobile Registration” link. Parking decals are picked up at University Police, Health Center or other advertised location within the first 48 hours of starting a session.

A parking waiver is available to any veteran who has served in, and was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces while in a full-time active duty status during a designated time of war. The submission of a DD-214 to the University Police Department is required as proof.

Any student who is not parking a vehicle on campus is required to request the removal of the parking fees from the student bill by emailing parking@plattsburgh.edu no later than 10 business days from the start of the session in order to receive an account credit.

Radio Station and TV Station

The Student Association operates a campus FM radio station (WQKE) which provides students with experience in programming, writing, and reporting news and radio engineering. The college also owns and operates a student cable TV station (PSTV 10) which is largely student operated to provide students the opportunity to acquire skills in TV production. Students gain experience and receive credit in both radio and television in conjunction with academic course work.

Security/Crime and Fire Information Available

The State University of New York College at Plattsburgh is committed to assisting all members of the campus community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual security compliance information is available on the University Police website at http://www.plattsburgh.edu/crimestats.

University Police provides information regarding campus security, personal safety and fire safety through this website. The website includes topics such as: University Police Department, emergencies/crimes, sexual assault, escort service, residence hall security, residence life, personal responsibility, drug/alcohol policies, fire safety/statistics and how to access registered sex offender information at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY Plattsburgh; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus are also available online. Fire safety information and annual fire statistics for on campus residence halls is also included in this report. This information is required by law and is provided by the University Police Department at SUNY Plattsburgh.

For more information contact Jerry Lottie, Police Chief/Co-Chair, Personal Safety Committee, University Police, SUNY Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901, 518-564-2022, email: Jerry.Lottie@plattsburgh.edu. Printouts of the information can be requested at the University Police Department (located on the East end of the Student Health Center Building at SUNY Plattsburgh). Information can also be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education website at http://ope.ed.gov/security/.

Student Involvement

Student Involvement, located on the first floor of the Angell College Center, is designed to serve as the primary programming department on campus that offers social, community service, and health education opportunities and supports the many student clubs.

The office provides a well-rounded program of social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities for all students, faculty and administration. Student Involvement organizes and presents many of the activities (such as Family Weekend, Opening Weekend Activities, comedy shows, and other types of entertainment) that bring excitement and life to SUNY Plattsburgh.

For more information on upcoming events, or to see how you can get involved, please contact us at 518-564-4830 or stop in the office.

Student Association

While students assume major responsibility for most of their out-of-class activities, the Student Association (SA) - exercising control over an annual budget of about $1,100,000 - provides a variety of services to students including shuttle bus service, a revolving loan fund, recreational equipment rental, and legal advisory service, to name a few. The Student Senate, the legislative branch of the SA, approves all funding requests, develops policies for student activities and makes recommendations about aspects of student life to appropriate policy-formulating bodies. The administrative duties of the SA are carried out through the Executive Council which consists of elected student representatives.

The Activities Coordination Board of the SA plans for and provides films, entertainment, novelty events, trips, and other special events such as the Presidents’ Gala. Additionally, the SA is extensively involved in higher education lobbying efforts at the local and state level.

Student Health and Counseling Center

The Student Health and Counseling Center provides a wide array of services including acute and chronic ambulatory healthcare, time-limited, goal-oriented individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, health education and preventative outreach. Additional services include women’s healthcare clinic, laboratory services, immunizations, and medications.

The Center is staffed by a team of trained physicians, mid-level providers, psychologists, counselors, laboratory personnel, nurses, support staff, and administrators. Each team member is committed to providing the highest levels of professional care using a holistic health and wellness model. The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Services are available for mental health emergencies at 518-564-2022 during the academic year.

Student Publications

Student publications are Cardinal Points, the weekly newspaper; Z Platt Almanac, the annual literary journal; and All Points North, a quarterly magazine covering the North Country both online and in print.

Student Support Services

The Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO Program. Students qualify for the program if they meet an income guideline or neither parent has graduated from a four-year college or if they have a learning or physical disability. In addition to specialized general education classes, the program offers academic support as well as career, personal, and academic advising. Additional services are available on an as-needed basis. The program is located in the Angell College Center Room 110, 518-564-2810.

Title IX Requirements

Students are protected under Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments against discrimination based on sex. These protections include the right to pursue your education free from sexual harassment and sexual violence. For more information, including how to file a complaint, contact the Title IX Coordinator at 518-564-3281.

Upward Bound

The Upward Bound Program is a federally funded TRIO Program serving selected area high-school students in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

The program provides the necessary motivation and skills to assure high-school graduation and successful completion of postsecondary education. For more information, please visit our website at www.ubplattsburgh.org.

Veterans Support

The Veterans Support Coordinator is responsible for coordinating veterans affairs issues for the college. This is done by creating a supportive and welcoming environment for students who are veterans, service members and their families on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, by developing and implementing services which foster student academic/career success, by serving as an advocate/outreach coordinator for all military-affiliated students with constituents both on and off the campus, and by educating and training college faculty and staff members on how to better understand and serve our military-affiliated students.

Military-affiliated students (active duty, National Guard, reservists, and military dependents- children and spouses) may contact the Veterans Support Coordinator to seek information about all aspects of the student experience at SUNY Plattsburgh. The Veterans Support Office is located in Kehoe Administration Building, in Room 113B. It offers a study center for all military-affiliated students with computers, CAC readers, meeting space and a veteran/military resource kiosk. For more information please call the Veterans Support Office at 518-564-4425, email the Coordinator at guyn3924@plattsburgh.edu or visit our website at www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/suppmi/veterans/.

Volunteerism

SUNY Plattsburgh is home to a number of programs that help students to get involved in the local community. Project HELP is a student-run office that places volunteers at local schools, nursing homes, soup kitchens, etc. For more information on volunteerism, stop by the first floor of the Angell College Center or call 518-564-4830. Information can also be obtained by emailing us at projecthelp@plattsburgh.edu.