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, Theatre and the 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 https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/arts/performing-ensembles.html

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 (https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/arts/art-museum/index.html) in the Myers Fine Arts Building.

Athletics

SUNY Plattsburgh is a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). The college sponsors 18 varsity sports. Men’s sports include baseball, cross country, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, indoor track & field, outdoor track, and lacrosse. Women’s sports include cross country, ice hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, indoor track, outdoor track & field, lacrosse 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, 2016, 2017 and 2019. The Cardinals have also won two national championships in men’s ice hockey and have had several individual champions in track & field. 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, men’s ice hockey and men’s lacrosse. 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 & field, lacrosse, softball, and baseball.

Campus Dining Services

For a complete listing of dining facilities, hours of operation, catering and complimentary Campus Dietitian services information, go to https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/food-dining/.

Campus food service and meal plans are provided by College Auxiliary Services through their partnership with Chartwells. And together, they provide you with a multitude of locations, options and delicious food!

Online menus are available for all on-campus dining locations. For those with special dining needs or preferences, menus can be filtered by allergens, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. You will also find details on portion sizes and calories. Click here to view the menus: https://dineoncampus.com/plattsburgh/whats-on-the-menu

Dining venues accepted all meal plans, Cardinal Cash and credit card as forms of payment. Our facilities are cashless.

Venues:

• Clinton Dining Hall offers a constantly changing, wide variety of choices in an all-you-care-to-eat facility. Choose from 10+ stations, and order in-person or on a kiosk. All food is freshly prepared in different cooking styles within full view.
• Kent Café is a beautiful spot along the Saranac River and is home to amazing signature sandwiches. Also available are soups, smoothies, specialty coffees, salads, chips and desserts. Kent serves Starbucks coffee and accepts mobile orders through Boost.
• The Sundowner is located on the first floor of the Angell College Center and is a food court style venue with eight different stations.
• Tim Hortons is on the second-floor of the Angell College Center and has gourmet coffees, cocoa, iced cappuccinos and teas. Enjoy freshly-made bagels and baked goods, or grab a breakfast or lunch sandwich with soup to complete your meal. Boost mobile orders are accepted here!
• Einstein Bros. Bagels is located on the first floor of Hawkins Hall. Enjoy fresh bagels, specialty sandwiches, salads, parfaits and beverages. Einstein’s accepts mobile orders through Boost.
• Samuel D’s is located in Sibley Hall through the main entrance. Enjoy specialty artisan sandwiches as well as salads, soups, and pastries available for in-house dining or take out. We proudly serve Starbucks!

Cardinal Achievement Program

The Cardinal Achievement Program is designed to help you succeed and ease the transition from high school to college. Students who are enrolled in the Cardinal Achievement Program will take CLP 101 the fall semester of their first year and will be paired with an academic coach. They will meet with the academic coach on a regular basis to assist with their needs. The Cardinal Achievement Program aims to help with a variety of topics that incoming freshmen deals with including: academic progress, help with course advisement, financial literacy, time management, study skills, test-taking strategies, etc.

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 major selection, 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 a 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.

Online resources make the CDC accessible 24/7. Handshake is the primary career management system, available through MyPlattsburgh. Users can view and apply for job postings for part-time, full-time employment, and internships, receive online consultation on resumes and cover letters, and attend virtual employer events. In addition, our students and alumni have access to CareerShift and Candid Career for job search and career exploration. The CDC also curates and maintains Career Diversity Websites and Targeted Job Websites.

The CDC has developed strategies for making the most of all four years at SUNY Plattsburgh; students are strongly encouraged to work with the CDC beginning with their first year and continuing through alumni years. Please visit https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/careers/index.html for more details on all our resources and services. We can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

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  early care and education for children between the ages of eight weeks and five years. Located on campus, the center offers full-time enrollment 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.

Educational Opportunity Program

The State University of New York’s Educational Opportunity Program provides access, academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for succeeding in college but who may not otherwise be offered admission. Available to the first time, full-time, matriculated students, the program supports students throughout their college careers within the University. Educational Opportunity Program students receive both academic and financial support. Academic support services may include personal counseling, academic advisement, tutoring, skill development workshops, supplemental instruction and mentoring. As part of a student’s overall financial aid package, the Educational Opportunity Program provides modest financial aid to alleviate non-tuition expenses (e.g., books, supplies, etc.). 

To be eligible for admission to the Educational Opportunity Program a student must: 1) be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment; 2) require alternate admissions consideration, and 3) qualify as economically disadvantaged according to the income guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Admission is subject to program capacity. To be eligible for the program as a transfer, a student must have been enrolled in the EOP, CD/SEEK, HEOP or a similar program at their previous college. If the previous college did not have EOP or a similar program, the student may receive consideration for transfer eligibility and should notify the college to which they are transferring. Academic eligibility will vary by campus. To view the EOP first year student profile for each campus, visit www.suny.edu/eop-academics. 

Fitness Center

The Fitness Center is the main activity hub and resource for fitness and wellness services on campus. Member services include orientation, personal training, strength and conditioning, nutrition analysis, fitness assessment, and classes in Zumba, kickboxing, spinning, yoga, boot camp and more.

The Fitness Center takes ups residence on the lower level of Memorial Hall.  The facility houses cardiovascular equipment, resistive weight equipment, and a free-weight area. An adjacent studio is used for group exercise classes with additional space for group activity offerings in Algonquin Hall. 

The Fitness Center program also offers access to an indoor climbing gym with opportunities to boulder, and top rope. The varied climbing terrain provides opportunities for first-time as well as experienced climbers.

For more information, call 518-564-3143 or visit the website at https://www.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/recreational/fitness-center/index.html.

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 and inclusion, risk and harm reduction, 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 recruitment and admissions, international student services, and study away (including study abroad). For international students, the staff provides assistance and support from the point of initial inquiry through graduation and beyond. 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 the SUNY system and SUNY Plattsburgh.

The GEO staff makes every effort to help international and study away students fulfill their academic goals. The office is located on the 10th floor of the Kehoe Building for walk-in advisement during regular business hours. For information call 518-564-3287 or email: geo@plattsburgh.edu.

Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion is made up of three units: The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), Title IX, the Community H.U.B (Honoring, Uniting, Belonging). Our mission is to achieve inclusive excellence; which is making diversity, equity and inclusion a priority that is seen in our programs, the curriculum, and our  intentional actions. When these diversity, equity and inclusion actions happen continuously, then we are excellent.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) 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. By promoting diversity, we protect and support the full range of human experiences. Our work is centered on making students feel a sense of   belonging which leads to their success.

The H.U.B. is a social justice education and multicultural space that is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni - and creates an inclusive space that engages diverse experiences, intentional education, awareness initiatives, and social justice practices. 

The Title IX office supports the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. It applies to all students, faculty and staff and protects the campus community by prohibiting any form of discrimination in education or activity.    

DIRECT (Diversity Inclusion Response Education and Communication Team) oversees the response to individuals or communities who have been affected by diversity incidents. Diversity incidents include bias, microaggressions, or hate crimes. SUNY Plattsburgh takes proactive steps to create an educational environment that supports and provides assistance to those students, faculty and staff who report diversity incidents. We are committed to ensuring SUNY Plattsburgh is All S.E.T. (student-centered, equity-minded, and trauma-informed).

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, and students. The Learning Center’s professional and student staff work together to provide a quality peer content and writing tutoring program. Free tutoring is available in over 100+ courses each semester.  Academic Personal Trainers are available to provide students with one-on-one support that focuses on goal-setting, time management and strategies for success.  Appointments are scheduled online through Cardinal Star (minimum one day in advance) and students meet with their tutor in the Learning Center Monday -Thursday between noon - 8:45 p.m., Friday from noon - 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 4 - 9 p.m.

Math, Statistics, and Writing walk-ins are available and allow students the flexibility of dropping in for assistance as their schedules permit. Faculty are encouraged to complete the class visit form in order to arrange an overview of Learning Center services and/or specific workshop presentations. For more information, call 518-564-6138 or visit our website at https://www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/resources/learning-center/index.html.

New Student Orientation

The college conducts a series of one 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.

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. 

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; branch campus students, veteran students, fully on-line students, students with dependent children residing with them; students who live at home within 45 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 a college 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 is overseen by a Community Director (C.D.) and community advocates (C.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.

Parking/Vehicle Registration

Students are required to pre-register vehicles for parking on campus and comply with the traffic and parking regulations, as outlined in Campus Parking.  This includes lot designations and restrictions, hangtag guidelines, special parking privileges, as well as, guidelines for filing an appeal if you receive a ticket.

University Police posts temporary parking changes in the Student Digest.

Recreation

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 leagues in flag football, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, and basketball. They offer one day tournaments in tennis, 3v3 basketball, and volleyball.  The sports club program includes men’s and women’s rugby, ultimate frisbee, cheerleading, golf, Esports, pick up ice hockey, pick up volleyball, tennis, marksmanship club, multiple dance groups, and fishing. The Recreation program supports special requests for facilities and equipment by campus groups who want to organize their own events, and informal open recreation that allows for a variety of free time for the drop-in utilization.  Recreation also runs an equipment issue program with a variety of equipment available, including bikes, snowshoes, tennis equipment, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, badminton, cricket, etc. Recreation oversees multiple facilities, including the disc golf course, sand volleyball court, Memorial Field, Esports Lounge, and the Recreation Gymnasium.  

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 University Police web site located at https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/health-safety/university-police/index.html contains helpful safety information, statistics, services provided and resources for the campus community.

Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years for reported crimes that occurred on the main and branch campuses; 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 collected and available to the public in an annual security and fire safety report. Fire safety information and annual fire statistics for on-campus residence halls is also included in these reports. This information is required by law and physical copies can be obtained at the University Police Department in the Health Center Building or online at https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/health-safety/university-police/statistics-and-resources.html. Campus safety information can also be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/ .

For more information contact the University Police Department, 45 Rugar Street, Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901, 518-564-2022 or email universitypolice@plattsburgh.edu. 

Student Accessibility Services

SUNY Plattsburgh is fully committed to upholding the vision outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and has as its mission to provide high quality and compassionate care and support for all neurodiverse students on this campus.  Students must provide proof of their disabling condition to the Director of Accessibility Services who can be reached at sas@plattsburgh,edu. All students requiring on campus living or classroom accommodations must register with the Student Accessibility office.  Alternative testing, note takers, readers, audio visual aids, and career, personal, and academic counseling are generally available.

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, and 5-hour pre-licensing courses, 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. Additionally, the SA is extensively involved in higher education lobbying efforts at the local and state level. The Clubs and Organizations Affairs Boards manages and organizes our 75+ Clubs and Organizations.

The Student Association has various other committees focusing on academics, arts, diversity, and other services.

Student Conduct Office

The Student Conduct Office is located in 112 Whiteface Hall adjacent to the Campus Housing andCommunity Living Office. It is responsible for the administration of the campus conduct system forboth individuals and groups/organizations. More specifically, it adjudicates cases of allegedviolations of the Student Conduct Manual and the Group Conduct Manual.

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, mental health crisis intervention, health education and preventative outreach. Additional services include women’s healthcare, laboratory services, and a self care station. The Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Centers (AAAHC) and the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).

The Center is staffed by a team of trained physicians, (advanced care providers), counselors, laboratory personnel, nurses, support staff, and administrators. Each team member is committed to providing the highest level of professional care using a holistic health and wellness model. The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

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 leadership 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 Publications

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

Student Support Services

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO Program. Students qualify for the program if they meet federal income guidelines, neither parent has graduated from a four-year college, or they have a medical, mental health, physical, or learning disability. The program offers specialized general education classes, academic support, and career, personal, and academic advising. Additional services are available on an as needed basis. The program is located in Macomb Hall, 518-564-2810, or by email at triosss@plattsburgh.edu.

Title IX Requirements

Students are protected under Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendment which offers protections against discrimination based on sex, gender, or gender identification. Additionally, there are protections for students who experience interpersonal or sexual violence under the federal Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) and NYS Education Law 129-B. 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, Title.IX@plattsburgh.edu,or at ACC 110. You may also file an anonymous report here: https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/health-safety/title-ix/report.html.

TV and Radio Stations

The college owns and operates two radio stations and a cable-access TV station. Plattsburgh State Television is SUNY Plattsburgh’s very own television station operated by students taking courses in the Department of Communication Studies (in Yokum). PSTV gives students the opportunity to produce game shows, dramas, news segments, and live sporting events. PSTV enables students to hone their skills in producing, directing, acting, announcing, writing, editing, camera operation, set design, promotions and more. The department also houses one of the college’s two radio stations. Broadcasting globally on the internet, WARP Radio is run by students taking courses in broadcast announcing and radio management.

     In addition, the Student Association operates a campus FM radio station (WQKE) which provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in on-air programming, sports broadcasting, and radio operations. Although participation at “The Quake” is non-credit bearing, it is open to all students on campus and provides them with the ability to produce their own shows that are broadcast on 93.9 FM and on the internet..

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 advisement and support to assure high-school graduation and the successful completion of postsecondary education. For more information, please visit our website at www.ubplattsburgh.org.

Veterans Support

SUNY Plattsburgh values its military-affiliated students, including veterans, active duty military personnel, National Guard,Reservists, and military dependents (children and spouses). Military-affiliated students who have questions about military tuitionassistance and educational benefits, or other financial, academic, disability or related support services should contact theVeterans Support representative in the Office of Student Financial Services at 518-564-2072.

Volunteerism

For more information on volunteerism please check out our website at https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/get-involved/community-volunteerism.html  or stop by the second floor of the Angell College Center, Room 203.