Honors College Orientation

As an Honors College student, you'll attend a Honors College Orientation before the University-wide Welcome Week Orientation.

At Honors College Orientation, you'll get to know other new students, meet the faculty, staff and peer mentors who will be yoyr Honors College network during your time at UAlbany, and learn more about the opportunities and responsibilities of an Honors College student.

The Fall 2024 Honors College Orientation will be held August 19 to 21, 2024.

orientation

 

Three students with backpacks walk along a campus pathway next to a fountain.

 

Honors College Housing

As an Honors College student, you'll have the option of living in honors housing each year you attend UAlbany. 

First- and second-year students can select honors housing on State Quad, while third- and fourth-year students can select honors housing in Empire Commons. There is also a lounge available for commuter students.

Honors College housing is based on when the student enrolled at UAlbany (first-year, second-year, etc.), not the student’s class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.). Student must stay active and engaged in Honors College events each semester in order to qualify for honors housing.

Walk through honors housing at almost any hour and you'll find our students studying together, hanging out or hosting events.

Honors Advisors come to Steinmetz Hall for scheduled advising appointments, while faculty and staff visit our community regularly. International Education advisors also visit Steinmetz Hall to discuss study abroad programs and other opportunities.

Most of the Honors College’s activities, such as guest lectures and social events, also take place inside Steinmetz and Melville Halls on State Quad.

Visit the Residential Life website for additional information.

housing

 

State Quad.

 

Events & Activities

The Honors College community is enriched through a wide variety of co-curricular events. Our events expand students' intellectual curiosity and engagement beyond the classroom context, and foster a sense of community and togetherness.

Examples of Honors College events from recent semesters include:

  • Wellness Wednesdays with Roxy the Therapy Dog
  • DEI Movie Night & Conversations
  • Spring Semi-formal
  • Halloween Costume Party 
  • Ice Skating at the Empire State Plaza

In addition to student-run events, the Honors College also hosts visiting faculty members who come to share their research and interests with our students. Recent faculty visitors include:

  • Dr. Kyra Gaunt from the Department of Music, who spoke about the intersections of hip-hop, music streaming and misogynoir
  • Dr. Maeve Kane from the Department of History, who spoke about the origins of Indigenous activism at UAlbany
  • Dr. Scott Tenenbaum from The RNA Institute, who spoke about nanotechnology and nanobiology
events-activities

 

Five students sit and talk at a picnic table outside under trees with fall foliage.

 

Leadership & Involvement

Starting your first year, you'll have numerous opportunities to get involved in student leadership with the Honors College.

  • Student Governing Board: The Honors College Student Governing Board (SGB) is the main voice of the Honors College student body. The SGB helps coordinate events and allocate funding for student initiatives, and advises the Honors College Director on student needs.
  • Student Committees: The four student committees work to maintain the Honors College's richly diverse, engaging and supportive environment.
    • The Programming Committee plans fun, community-building events, such as holiday parties, movie nights and service events.
    • The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee creates opportunities for students to discuss social justice and related topics, such as panel discussions, book clubs and moderated film screenings.  
    • The Student Support Committee organizes health and wellness seminars, tutoring sessions and other de-stressing events where students share their experiences and navigate challenges together.
    • The Communications Committee publicizes events and curates the Honors College newsletter, which highlights past events, profiles community members and publishes student work.
  • Peer Educators & Mentors: Peers of Experience & Training (POETs) and Mentors with Understanding, Seniority & Expertise (MUSEs) are Honors College students who serve as peer educators and mentors to first-year students, helping them transition into life at UAlbany and the Honors College. MUSEs also help design curriculum for the TUNI 101 Introduction to Honors Education course.
  • Student Ambassadors: Student Ambassadors are experienced, personable students who act as representatives of the Honors College on and off campus. They assist with high school recruiting fairs, University events and other high visibility events. Student Ambassadors are many students’ first interaction with the Honors College. 
leadership-involvement