Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs provides a critical component to the mission of the University at Albany by providing the leadership and direction to ensure a healthy, safe and quality learning environment for all of our students. The major programming areas within the Division of Student Affairs include: Residential Life; Health Services; Counseling Services; Career Development; Student Life; University Police; and Judicial Affairs.
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs has the responsibility for the leadership and administration of all the departments within the Division of Student Affairs. The Office of the Vice President oversees all services, activities and programs designed to promote a positive total educational experience for every student. In addition, the Vice President assists students and parents with the resolution of matters of concern. The Office of the Vice President is located in the University Administration Building 419 and staff in this office can be reached at (518) 437-4949.
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 7 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. Empire Commons, our newest complex for graduate and upper division students, offers apartment style living with private bedrooms, central air conditioning and washers and dryers in each apartment. The community center offers private meeting rooms, home theater, lounge space and state of the art fitness center.
The Department of Residential Life is located in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle, (518/442-5875.)
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 as well as 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 clinical 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 promotion specialist, is located on the second floor of the Health and Counseling 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. This peer assistance program trains student volunteers to help other students. Middle Earth peers lend a listening ear, assist with problem solving, and provide 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 Coordinator for Health Promotion 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 serves students through an array of programs and services designed to provide assistance and support and to enrich the quality of student life. The department and its personnel are involved in organizing and facilitating a variety of educational programs, providing counseling and advice to students and student group leaders, conducting special events, sponsoring and co-sponsoring recreational and social activities and providing clean, safe and comfortable Campus Center facilities. Below are brief descriptions of the individual Student Life units. For more detailed information visit our web site at www.albany.edu/studentlife or stop by our Campus Center offices in Room 130 and 137.
Student Activities:The Office of Student Activities supports the University community’s programmatic, educational, recreational and social needs by sponsoring major events and programs while also enhancing the efforts of all student groups and Greek organizations by providing quality advisement, assistance and effective leadership development programs.
The primary responsibilities of the office include:
- Advisement for recognized student groups including the Student Association
- Management of on-campus student event
- Oversight for Greek Affairs including 39 fraternities and sororities
- Offering effective student-leadership development programs Planning and coordinating major University events including Opening Weekend,
- Homecoming, Fountain Day, The President’s Awards for Leadership ,
- Who’s Who and Torch Night
- Maintaining an up-to-date student events calendar
- Sponsoring the Class Councils
The Office of Student Activities is dedicated to student growth and development while diligently working to ensure the success of each student leader, organization and event. For more information stop by Campus Center 130, call (518) 442-5566 or visit the Student Life website at www.albany.edu/studentlife/studentactivities
Campus Center
This facility is a hub of university activity. Student service offices, meeting facilities, plus the varied dining and retail operations make the Campus Center a popular destination for most members of the university community and is a center of daily campus life. The Campus Center also hosts and facilitates an extensive schedule of meetings, programs and special events involving both the university and local communities.
For more information, stop by Campus Center Room 137, call 442-5490 or visit the Student Life web site: https://www.albany.edu/studentlife/CC/index.html
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, assistance with alternative testing, lending of tape recorders and adaptive equipment, advocacy, and personal counseling. The office also maintains a large multimedia library of disability resources and organizes learning strategy groups. Disabled Student Services 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. Disabled Student Services also interacts with local, state and federal agencies concerned with disability issues. The office is located in the Campus Center, Room 137, (518/442-5490) (518-442-3366-TDD)
Learning Disabled Student Services
The Learning Disability Specialist is available to work with students who have been diagnosed as having a learning disability (LD) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Students may schedule appointments for assistance with developing various study skills, receive coaching in time management and setting goals, or test taking skills. The Learning Disability Specialist is also responsible for reviewing documentation of the disability, insuring that it is complete and current. Other services include assistance in developing self-advocacy skills, presenting workshops in various classroom and study skills and campus outreach and education programs about learning disabilities and attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder. The Learning Disability Specialist is also available to meet with prospective students and their families who may be considering attending the University at Albany. The Office is located in Campus Center 110. For more information call (518) 442-5566. Visit our web page at https://www.albany.edu/ studentlife/ld/LD/ or by email: [email protected].
Multicultural Student Affairs
This office provides special assistance and support for students of African American, Latino, Asian American and Native American descent. The office also provides advice and guidance to multicultural student groups, and sponsors and cosponsors a number of cultural programs and special events. Some of these include the Annual Martin Luther King Jr./Black History Month Luncheon, the National Latino Collegiate Conference, Asian Occasion, Pan-Caribbean Fashion Show and the Spellman Achievement Awards. For more information stop by the Campus Center room 137, call 442-5490 or visit our website: www.albany.edu/studentlife/LD/index.html
Career Development Center (CDC)
The Career Development Center (CDC) is not just a place to go to get a job after graduation. The CDC exists to help undergraduate students of all majors and class levels explore majors and career options, make decisions about graduate study, and identify internship and full-time employment opportunities. CDC staff members are available to assist students in specifying career goals and expanding their knowledge of career alternatives through individual consultation sessions. Working closely with academic departments, student organizations, and other student affairs departments, the CDC provides educational opportunities and workshops related to career planning. Housed within the CDC is a library containing numerous resources for students to research major and career information and graduate school programs, as well as review part-time and full-time employment and internship vacancies. The CDC also offers an extensive internet-based on-campus recruiting program for internships and full-time employment. For more information, stop by or contact the office at ULB 69, (518) 442-5515, or visit 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 University Police Building, (518/442-3132).
Department of Athletics & Recreation
This department focuses on academic and student development in a program that features Division I intercollegiate athletics, club sports, intramural and recreational opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
The University has a long-standing reputation of excellence in the athletic realm, producing competitive varsity teams, successful coaches and outstanding student-athletes recognized for their accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom. Nineteen intercollegiate sports are offered for men and women. The list includes basketball, football, baseball, track and field, cross country, softball, field hockey, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball and lacrosse.
For information on intercollegiate, club sports and intramurals, one may contact the UAlbany Sportsline at 442-DANE or the Intramural Office at -442-5640.
The indoor and outdoor physical education design is among the most comprehensive in the Northeast. The Recreation and Convocation Center, a state-of-the-art facility; the Physical Education Building, which houses University Gym; an air-supported bubble ("Dane Dome"); and several athletic fields, which have been fenced and undergone surface reconditioning, are utilized for sporting and cultural activities. In addition, there are 24 tennis courts (12 with lighting), an in-line skating rink, racquetball/squash/handball courts, a swimming pool, a dance studio, and a comprehensive fitness and weight training center.
The University began competing at the NCAA Division I level in the 1999-2000 academic year. UAlbany is affiliated with the America East Conference and the football program competes in the Northeast Conference.
The Department is located in both the Recreation and Convocation Center and the Physical Education Building, (518-442-DANE).
Men's Sports Head Coach Baseball Jon Mueller Basketball Will Brown Cross Country Craig McVey Football Bob Ford Indoor Trackand Field Roberto Vives Lacrosse Scott Marr Outdoor Track and Field Roberto Vives Soccer Johan Aarnio
Women's Sports Head Coach Basketball Trina Patterson Cross Country Craig McVey Field Hockey Phil Sykes Golf Richard Sauers Indoor Track and Field Roberto Vives Lacrosse Dennis Short Outdoor Track and Field Roberto Vives Soccer Kalekeni Banda Softball Chris Cannata Tennis Chrissy Short Volleyball Kelly Sheffield
