Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs plans, implements, and manages many student services and educational programs that enhance the academic program of the University. In addition to those functions operating from the Office of the Vice President, there are eight major program areas: Financial Aid; Residential Life; Career Development, University Health Center; University Counseling Center; Student Life; University Police; and Athletics and Recreation.
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs has responsibility for supervising the administration and planning functions of all of the departments in the Division of Student Affairs. In addition, the Vice President assists students, through consultation, with their needs and concerns. The Vice President's central office coordinates judicial affairs and student discipline, personal safety and off-campus affairs programs, and a variety of information services. It regularly publishes guidelines for student rights and responsibilities. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is located in Administration 129, (518/442-5501).
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid administers federal, state, and certain institutional student financial assistance programs for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to overall college financing and financial aid advisement, the office manages a variety of funds, including the Federal Stafford and other federal loan programs, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study employment, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program and Educational Opportunity Program, and University at Albany Benevolent Association Scholarships. It also coordinates the Emergency Loan Fund. Advisement services are available to all members of the University Community. The Office of Financial Aid is located in the basement of the Campus Center, Room B52, (518/442-5757, 442-5480).
Residential Life
The Department of Residential Life seeks to fulfill two primary missions: to provide reasonably-priced, well-maintained, safe housing and to develop a positive living environment that promotes the intellectual and academic growth of students.
Students in the University's Residence Halls have access to a wide variety of services and programs. Trained professional and paraprofessional staff members live in the Halls and provide services to help promote a secure and positive environment. Security Assistants provide evening safety patrols on every quadrangle. Additionally, each quad has a faculty member participating in the Faculty-In-Residence program. This program offers students the opportunity to be actively involved outside the classroom with a member of the faculty living in a Residence Hall.
Over 700 different types of programs, workshops and seminars are offered in the Residence Halls annually — study groups, movie nights, safety seminars, resume writing, and language tables — to list just a few. There are also several different "special interest" living options offered to students who wish to live with other students with similar interests. All freshmen are assigned to areas designed to enhance their first year experience, for building a solid foundation is a critical element for students to achieve in their first year of college study. These living areas offer an environment for first year students that encourages community responsibility, positive social interaction, solid academic preparation, and support.
All students residing on campus have their own phone jack, number and voice mail system. This phone service also offers individualized billing. All residence halls have been wired for cable television, with student access to a wide variety of cable programming, as well as 3 movie channels. All residence halls are networked and have the highest level of connectivity through an ethernet connection. Students can explore and take full advantage of global information via the Internet. Additionally, the quads have a variety of other amenities, including weight and fitness rooms, recreation areas and movie rooms. Freedom Quad, an apartment-style complex, offers a quiet, convenient environment for graduate and upper division students.
The Department of Residential Life is located in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle, (518/442-5875, or 1-800/4RESLIFE).
New Student Orientation: Orientation programs introduce new freshmen, transfers, and their parents to the University and assist students in making a smooth transition to life at the University. Students entering the University as newly matriculated freshmen or transfers for the fall semester are invited to participate in a Summer Planning Conference. Transfers attend a one-day program, while entering freshmen attend a two-day program that includes a one-night stay in a Residence Hall. Summer Planning Conference programs include presentations by University administrators, small group discussions, academic advisement and registration for fall semester classes. Information sessions for parents of new students are offered concurrently with freshman programs and transfer programs. Students who are unable to attend a Summer Planning Conference attend an orientation program prior to the start of classes in the fall. All freshmen also attend the Fall Orientation for Frosh Program in the fall prior to the beginning of classes. For new students enrolling in the spring semester, an orientation program also occurs prior to the start of that semester.
The Orientation Office is located in the Department of Residential Life in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle, (518/442-5875, or 1-800/4RESLIFE).
Parent Services: Parent services are offered through the Department of Residential Life. Parent involvement is fostered through the coordination of parent programs and services. These programs include individual parent advisement and liaison services; the coordination of the Parents Forum, an advisory group of over 50 parents of current University at Albany students; the Parents Club, a new membership group geared towards parent involvement; and Parents Weekend. Parent Services is located in the Department of Residential Life in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle, (518/442-5875, or 1-800/4RESLIFE).
University Health Center
The University Health Center is the primary health care facility for registered students. Services include General Medical Clinic, Women's Health Clinic, Allergy Clinic, Self-Help Cold Clinic, psychiatric services, and a pharmacy. Staff members provide health education workshops and, in coordination with the Albany County Health Department, they provide public health services to the campus community. The center also offers clinical rotations to senior medical students and Residents from the Albany Medical College. Located in the Health Services Building, the University Health Center telephone number is 518/442-5454.
Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service: Five-Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service is a student-operated, Student Association-funded service consisting of more than 75 highly trained volunteers who provide state-certified campus ambulance service on a seven days a week, 24 hours a day basis, as well as coverage at major campus programming and athletic events. In addition, it sponsors extensive training and educational programs in CPR, advanced First Aid, and a variety of other topics. The phone number is 518/442-5555.
University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center provides a range of education, prevention, and treatment services to assist students in adjusting to university life and in meeting their educational and personal goals. Services include psychological counseling and short-term psychotherapy for emotional, social and academic concerns as well as psychological testing of academically underachieving students. Prevention education programs addressing a broad range of health and mental health issues are offered to the University community. University personnel, parents, and students may also contact psychologists by telephone or in person to consult about issues or problems that are negatively affecting University students. In addition, the psychologists provide supervised training for doctoral students in the University's Clinical and Counseling Psychology programs. The Counseling Center, staffed by psychologists and a health educator, is located on the second floor of the Health Services Building, (518/442-5800). Office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Please call with questions and/or to make an appointment. There is no charge for Counseling Center services.
Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program: A service of the Counseling Center is Middle Earth, a peer assistance program that provides student volunteers trained to help other students. Middle Earth lends a listening ear, assists with problem-solving, and provides information or referrals. Middle Earth is open from noon to midnight, Monday through Thursday, and 24 hours a day from noon on Friday until midnight on Sunday. Middle Earth also provides training with the option of receiving course credits. Students interested in volunteering can pick up an application at Middle Earth, or call the business line at 442-5890.
Project SHAPE (Sexual Health and Peer Education): Project SHAPE is comprised of student volunteers who assist the University's Health Educator in facilitating AIDS/HIV prevention programs for the campus community. Project SHAPE members complete an extensive training program. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about Project SHAPE should call 442-5800.
Department of Student Life
The Department of Student Life offers a wide range of student services and programs designed to enrich the overall educational experience and to help build a sense of campus community. Staff members provide counseling and general advice and assistance to students to encourage their personal growth through meaningful involvement in campus life. They also work closely with student groups and organizations to promote student leadership development, service, and social responsibility.
Student Activities: Student Activities has as its primary purposes the advisement of student organizations, leadership development programming, and oversight and enforcement of a variety of campus policies relating to freedom of expression, the use of alcohol, and on-campus commercial activities. Staff members provide a full range of advisement services and leadership training programs for members of the more than 195 formally recognized student organizations. They monitor and advise the Greek letter organizations, coordinate various University recognition programs for undergraduate students, and organize numerous major campus-wide events.
Campus Center: Campus Center staff schedule and facilitate meetings, academic seminars and other events for University and non-University groups and organizations which utilize the Campus Center facility. Staff members provide substantial programming of a cultural, social, recreational, and educational nature aimed at making the nonacademic hours of our students both fulfilling and productive. The office is located in the Campus Center, Room 137, 518-442-5480.
Disabled Student Services: Disabled Student Services provides a broad range of personalized services to people with disabilities, including pre-admission information, orientation, assistance with registration, personal attendant referral, lending of tape recorders and adaptive equipment, advocacy and personal counseling. The office also organizes learning strategy groups for students with learning disabilities and provides information and referrals for disability-related questions and issues. In addition, the office makes recommendations to offices and departments regarding reasonable accommodations. Particular emphasis is placed on assisting students in developing their talents and abilities in preparation for professional and graduate training and for employment. The office is located in the Campus Center, Room 137, (518/442-5490).
International Student Services: International Student Services counsels undergraduate and graduate foreign nationals on University procedures, immigration regulations, financial concerns, and housing. It also supports a variety of social and cultural activities both on and off the campus for these students and their families. This unit is located in LI-84, ground level between the University Library and the Administration Building (518/442-5495).
Multicultural Student Affairs: The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs advocates on behalf of students of African-American, Latino, Asian, and Native American heritage in their efforts to take full advantage of the University's academic offerings, cocurricular opportunities, programs and services.
Staff members coordinate self-development workshops, individual and group counseling, individual, student leadership development activities, cultural programs, information on internships and scholarships, and small group tutoring and study groups with particular emphasis on preparing students for careers in the licensed professions. The office is located in the Campus Center, Room 137 (518/442-5490).
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center is more than just a place to go to get a job after graduation. Career Development exists to help all undergraduate students explore majors and career options, make decisions about graduate study, and identify full-time employment and internship opportunities. Career Development staff members are available to assist students in specifying career goals and expanding their knowledge of career alternatives through individual consultation sessions. The Center works closely with academic departments, student organizations, and other student affairs departments to provide educational opportunities and workshops related to career planning. The Career Development Center offers an extensive on-campus recruiting program for full-time and internship opportunities for positions in business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. Housed within the Career Development Center is a library containing numerous resources for students to research major and career information and graduate school programs, as well as identify employment and internship job vacancies. The Career Development Center and Resource Library are located in the basement of the University Library, Room B69. For more information contact the Career Development Staff at (518) 442-5515 or visit our website at www.albany.edu/cdc/.
University Police (UPD)
UPD is responsible for providing a safe and secure campus environment, one in which students, faculty and staff can pursue their educational and career goals with a minimum of distraction and disruption from crime. It works closely with the departments of Residential Life, Health and Counseling, Physical Plant, and Campus Life to achieve the highest levels of personal safety possible. UPD is staffed around the clock with professional law enforcement officers. They provide an extensive array of law enforcement and security services to the University community, including mobile and foot patrols, crime prevention education, traffic enforcement, crime reporting, and follow-up criminal investigations. UPD is located in the Public Safety Building, (518/442-3132).
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