Assistant Deans

Maritza Martinez, M.S.W.
Virginia Rifenberick, M.A.

University Developmental Lecturers

Paul Cummings, Ph.D.
Craig Hancock, D.A.
Claudia Ricci, Ph.D.
Silke Van Ness, Ph.D.

Academic Counselor (MRP/TSAP)
Chris Fernando, M.S.

EOP Counselors

Monica Hope, M.S.
Abdul Jarvis, B.A.
Patrick Romain, M.S.
Virginia Rifenberick, M.A.
Julio Serna, M.P.A.
James Thomas, M.P.H.

Computer Coordinator
Dennis Karius, B.S. Eng.

Study Skills Specialist
Mary Kay Skrabalak, M.A..

The Educational Opportunities Program seeks to provide admission opportunities for economically and educationally disadvantaged students who wish to enroll in one of the many undergraduate departments at the University at Albany. While students and families are expected to assist themselves financially as much as possible, the university realizes that most students admitted to EOP require almost full support through available grants, scholarships, jobs and loans. All EOP students are guaranteed enough financial aid to pay for university charges, books, and personal costs. The program provides supportive services designed to help students who need assistance in academic, financial, social or personal matters.

One objective of EOP is to see that each student admitted is provided with all the services and assistance necessary for success in whatever degree program he or she is to complete. It is anticipated that through a spirit of cooperation and sincerity among all those interested in their education, students in the EOP Program will experience significant changes in their lives while attending the University at Albany.

The University at Albany has an EOP Program serving all of its academic units. The program is jointly sponsored by New York State, the Office of Special Programs, and the University at Albany. It is designed to serve students of all races who are residents of New York State, but who are normally academically non-admissible and economically disadvantaged. The ultimate goal of the program is to make higher education possible for students who lack the normal credentials for college admissions, but who have the potential and motivation for academic success. More than 3,000 bachelor's degrees have been awarded by the University at Albany to students admitted through the EOP. Over 15 percent of these degree recipients graduated with honors.

Each summer, incoming EOP Frosh students participate in a 4-week residential experience on the college campus. The program begins in July and ends in early August. The full cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and books is paid for through an EOP Grant. Small classroom instruction is offered to remediate, enrich, and provide a better start for university courses that will be taken in the fall semester. Students are also exposed to numerous academic and nonacademic survival skills, extensive individual and group counseling sessions, and personal and educational advisement. Other priorities during the summer include extensive study skill enrichment and career awareness sessions.

The summer instructional staff includes university lecturers who exclusively teach our EOP students during the academic year. The academic subjects involve pre-college work in writing, reading, and mathematics. EOP counselors who coordinate the extensive counseling sessions are experienced and trained. They develop a unique personal relationship with students, and this relationship continues during the matriculation years. In addition to the instructors and counselors, student assistants are also totally involved in the pre-college summer experience. These peer tutors and lay counselors not only live in the residential halls with the students, but also assist in the instructional process.

It is the obligation of an educational institution to contribute to the development of the "total" individual. As such, the EOP staff insures that all channels of supportive service are available to the members of the EOP population. The EOP Office is the hub from which all EOP services radiate. Inherent in the agreement to accept students into the EOP Program is the understanding that the EOP staff commits its energies to the positive academic and social adjustment of the individual students who select the program.

The EOP Complex serves as the administrative unit through which academic assistance is provided to all EOP students. EOP seeks to promote scholarship and to insure the graduation of those students. The EOP Program incorporates basic social and educational techniques to meet the different needs.

Incoming freshmen admitted to EOP are evaluated, their weaknesses and strengths defined, and their special needs established.

As mentioned above, the developmental course curriculum offers developmental courses in mathematics and writing. If needed, students are required to take a maximum of two levels of developmental courses during their pre-college summer program and during their first two semesters. During the academic year, along with the developmental courses, students also choose university courses. Although students receive transcript credit (not graduation credit) for enrollment in the developmental courses, the individual growth acquired can insure success in regular university courses.

The curriculum in writing is designed to develop and increase student awareness of the value of writing, and to encourage participation in the experience through writing in various modes and across the curriculum. The course work consists of a two semester sequence in which students increase their confidence and fluency in writing, learn to cope with writing in the academic world, and learn the essentials of how to structure and write a college-level essay.

EOP seeks to offer its students a multidimensional approach to individual development. Fundamental to each student's successful adjustment is the availability of comprehensive, competent counseling. Because the University at Albany presents a very demanding, competitive, and in most cases unfamiliar environment, the EOP staff counselors make every endeavor to reduce anxiety and to help students in adapting to university life. Counseling staff members advise and counsel students in academic, social, emotional, and vocational areas in order to help resolve student problems. Consultation links are sustained between the EOP counseling unit, the Advisement Services Center, the Campus Health Center, and other university service offices.

The tutorial program aims to provide a well structured peer tutorial support system to assist student academic progress in University at Albany course work. This tutorial program plays a vital part in contributing to the academic success of the University's EOP population. Recommended by university faculty members, upper-class and graduate students are selected to tutor undergraduates in the University's many departments. To insure more effectiveness, tutoring is usually done on a one-to-one basis. Although tutoring is optional, it is strongly urged that students take advantage of this service before any academic difficulty is incurred. Tutors will usually work as many hours as needed.

EOP students have access to the Office's own computer lab usage room. Staffed at all times with a computer specialist, EOP students can receive technical assistance for word processing purposes.

A number of personal growth workshops are held yearly to aid EOP students with career choices and personal enrichment. Facilitated by the EOP counselors and University personnel, these career workshops improve a student's understanding of the academic departments and of prospective career goals. Also, personal workshops focus on coping skills, study skills, time management, financial aid, and graduate school entrance.

To assist the EOP staffers with a better understanding of individual academic departments, the EOP Office has a list of key faculty members who act as liaisons with EOP and that particular department. In addition, the faculty members periodically update the EOP staffers on departmental changes.

The EOP student is also encouraged to take full advantage of all academic and student services campus-wide.

This instructional component consists of university developmental courses and is open to any matriculated student seeking help in writing skills and mathematics skills. These courses do not carry graduation credit because they foster the development of skills required for regular university courses.

O Eop 12 Written World (0)
Basic course in essay writing and critical reading skill. Offered only to EOP pre-college students during the summer. S/U graded.

O Eop 12A Writing Skills I (0)
Students gain competence and confidence through extensive writing practice with informal and formal assignments. Course work is highly individualized through extensive revision and frequent student/teacher conferences. Attention is paid to all aspects of the writing process. S/U graded.