The Division of Student Success
The Division of Student Success provides a critical component to the mission of the University at Albany by providing services that contribute to the overall quality of life on campus, enhancing the intellectual, cultural, social and physical development of students. The major programming areas within the Division of Student Success include: Residential Life; Health Services; Counseling Services; Career Development; Student Life; University Police; Judicial Affairs; Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action and Academic Support Services/Educational Opportunities Program.
The Division of Student Success
The Vice President for Student Success has the responsibility for the leadership and administration of all the departments within the Division of Student Success. 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 University Hall and be reached at (518) 591-8156.
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 involvement at the University at Albany is fostered through various programs and services coordinated by the University�s Parent Liaison. The Parent Liaison assists families with their student�s transition from high school to college, and their college experience through graduation. Programs and services include individual parent advisement, the Parents Council web site, electronic communications, and the coordination of events during Parents Weekend. Parent Services is made available through the Department of Residential Life located in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle (518/442-5875 or [email protected] or www.albany.edu/parents).
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, Immunization Clinic, Self-Help Cold Clinic, psychiatric services, and an on site pharmacy. The center also offers clinical rotations to 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 Services:
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.
Clinical and Consulting Services: Services include psychological counseling and short-term psychotherapy for emotional, social and academic concerns as well as psychological evaluation of academically underachieving students. Prevention programs, including anonymous on-line screening for the University community, address a broad range of health and mental health issues. University personnel, parents and students also consult psychologists by telephone, email or in person regarding issues or problems that negatively impact University students.
Peer Assistance Programs: Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program: This Nationally recognized peer assistance program trains student volunteers to help other students. Through its hotline service, Middle Earth peers lend a listening ear, assist with problem solving, and provide information or referrals. Middle Earth also provides outreach programs and workshops for the campus community. The Middle Earth hotline (518-442-5777) is open from noon to midnight, Monday through Thursday, and 24 hours a per day from noon on Friday until midnight on Sunday when classes are in session. Middle Earth also provides training with the option of receiving course credit. Students interested in volunteering can pick up an application at Middle Earth, or call the business line at 518- 442-5890.
Project SHAPE: Sexual Health and Peer Education: Project SHAPE is a peer education program comprised of student volunteers who assist the University�s Coordinator for Health Promotion in facilitating sexual health programs for the University community on a variety of topics such as HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infection�s STI�s, and communication with a partner. These popular programs take place in academic courses, residence halls and for student groups. In addition, Project SHAPE coordinates week-long events such as the annual World AIDS Week, STI Awareness Week, and Black HIV Week. Project SHAPE members complete an accredited training course. Those interested in volunteering or requesting a program should call 442-58965800.
The Counseling Center, staffed by psychologists and a health promotion specialist, provides supervised training for doctoral students in the University�s Clinical and Counseling Psychology programs. There is no charge for Counseling Center services. The Center is located on the second floor of the Health and Counseling Building. Office hours are 8:30AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Please call with questions or to make an appointment (518) 442-5800. Email [email protected], or visit via the web at www.albany.edu/counseling_center/
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 28 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). The emergency number is 442-3131 from a campus phone, or 911 from a cell phone.
The Office of Academic Support Services
A Division under the Office of Student Success
The following seven programs support new undergraduates as they make their transition into the University at Albany community. These comprehensive support services include the study groups, academic early warning program, university tutors, independent tutoring program, faculty mentoring programs, study skills workshops, and the Educational Opportunities Program. Also, other Office of Academic Support Services programs include Project Excel, Ronald McNair/AGEP/LSAPM/C-Step Program, the Academic Talent Search Program and the Youth Construction Initiative Program.
Study Group Plan
In 24 freshman classes, the Office sponsors study groups free of charge to all students. A study group consists of several students in a given course that decide to meet on a regular basis for discussions, analysis, and reviewing of course material. Participation in a study group can be an excellent way to prepare for exams, since participants must organize their thinking about course topics and present, or defend, their individual perspectives before the group. Study groups emphasize the student�s active involvement with course material.
Participants are encouraged to re-examine concepts, to question or to challenge each other with respect to course topics. Study groups can also help to maintain a high level of interest and enthusiasm towards course work and allow students to examine ways in which the course is personally meaningful or relevant to their college goals.
Coordinated by a graduate student who serves as a facilitator, the objectives of the student group concept are: 1) to clarify course material through restatement or illustrations, using familiar terms and concepts, and 2) to assist study group members in learning course material and achieving success in the course.
University Tutors
Each study group, in addition to the facilitator, will have two University Tutors on hand to assist with questions and problems. These tutors, who are undergraduate honors students, will at times also offer individualized assistance to those study group students who seek special attention.
Academic Early Warning System
The main objective of this Academic Early Warning System is to have professors identity students experiencing problems and to encourage them to utilize available academic and advising supportive services in order to overcome their difficulties. This warning is in lieu of a mid-semester grade.
The designated university courses include the following: A Bio 110, 111; A Chm 120, 121, 220, 221; A Psy 101, 210, 211; I Csi 101, 201; A Soc 115, 221; A Eco 110, 111; A Mat 100, 101, 106, 108, 111, 112, 113; and B Acc 211, 222.
During the fifth week of the semester, this composite list of potential failures will be circulated to the academic advisers of these students so that they can encourage the following help: 1) conference with faculty member of particular course; 2) consultation with academic/faculty adviser; 3) participation in respective study group (all of the Academic Early Warning System courses are an integral part of the study group plan); and 4) involvement with an independent tutor. Also, a staff member from the Office of Academic Support Services will contact the students, advising them of their options.
Independent Tutoring Program
The Office of Academic Support Services provides the student community with an updated listing of academically successful students who are available to tutor students on a one to one basis. These independent tutors have taken the course in which they tutor and have received a B+ or higher. These independent tutors must have at least 3.0 cumulative academic averages, secure faculty recommendations, pass the personal interview, and complete a tutoring orientation.
Faculty Mentoring Program
Matriculating students at the University at Albany are eligible to participate in one of the faculty mentoring programs. If enrolled in a program, it is expected that the student be willing to interact with a faculty or professional staff member in a mentoring partnership.
University mentoring programs take many forms and address different groups including the following: Presidential Scholars; academic probationers; multicultural recruitment students; special talent admits; and other students, especially incoming freshmen seeking support.
For a new freshman or a continuing student with academic needs, family or personal problems, the value of a trusted friend, confidante, guide and role model is obvious. For mentors, a one-to-one relationship can be an opportunity to give another person the guidance and support they once received from their own mentors.
Mentoring is not an easy job; it is not a job quickly accomplished. Yet helping and guiding a young person may be the most important work a volunteer will ever do.
Study Skills Workshops
Study skills workshops are offered free of charge to all students, especially freshmen. These one-hour sessions provide an opportunity to acquire skills vital to achieving academic success. Titles of workshops include time management, textbook mastery, learning from lecture, memory enhancement, listening skills, examination preparation, examination strategies, multiple choice examination skills, and final exam preparation.
Department of Athletics & Recreation
UAlbany's intercollegiate athletics program excels at the NCAA Division I level, producing competitive teams, successful coaches, and outstanding student-athletes recognized for their accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom. The University sponsors 19 varsity sports for men and women. Club sports, an intramural program, and recreational opportunities are also offered.
As a member of the America East Conference, eighteen of the school's nineteen varsity teams are eligible for conference championships and NCAA post-season competition. Football, a Division I-AA program, has been an associate member of the Northeast Conference since 1999.
In 2004-05, UAlbany was awarded the Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup, which annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in the America East Conference based on success both during the regular season and at championship competition. UAlbany's point total was bolstered by America East titles in volleyball, men's lacrosse, men's outdoor track and field and softball. The Great Danes were also runners-up in men's indoor track and field and women's golf.
For information on intercollegiate, club sports and intramurals, one may contact the Albany Sportsline at 442-DANE (3263) 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; and an air-supported bubble are utilized for sporting and cultural activities. In addition, there are 12 lighted tennis courts, racquetball/squash/ handball courts, a swimming pool, a dance studio, and a comprehensive fitness and weight training center. UAlbany recently constructed two all-weather athletic fields. "John Fallon Field" is the home to the men's and women's lacrosse teams. An adjacent surface known as "Alumni Turf Field" will be for women's field hockey in addition to serving as a multi-use recreational field for UAlbany students.
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 Track and 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 |
Lindsey Hart |
| Outdoor Track and Field |
Roberto Vives |
| Soccer |
Mary-Frances Monroe |
| Softball |
Chris Cannata |
| Tennis |
Conny Grunes |
| Volleyball |
Kelly Sheffield |
