Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs creates an inclusive student experience that promotes academic success, social engagement, personal growth, and resilience. The Division strives to advance the University’s commitment to excellence by preparing students to live, learn, and lead in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global society.

The departments within the Division of Student Affairs include: The Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence; Campus Center Management; Campus Recreation; Career and Professional Development; the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research; Community Standards; Counseling and Psychological Services; Disability Resource Center; Intercultural Student Engagement; Orientation and Transition Programs; Residential Life; Student CARE Services; Student Health Services; and Student Involvement.

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 and oversees all services, activities, and programs designed to promote a positive total educational experience for every student. The Office of the Vice President is located in University Hall and can be reached at (518) 956-8140.

The Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence

The Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence provides a dedicated space for student survivors, friends, and family members to seek compassionate support and advocacy services related to all forms of sexual violence including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and sexual exploitation. The Center provides a one-stop, safe and supportive environment for student survivors to get assistance from a staff dedicated to serve as their advocate to manage all of the services they may choose to help them heal. Services may include academic and residential accommodations, referrals for healthcare needs and counseling, and assistance in pursuing charges either criminally and/or through the campus conduct process. The Center staff also oversees a comprehensive sexual violence prevention program and provides consultation, education and training to students, faculty and staff on sexual violence issues.

Sexual Violence Prevention Ambassador Program (SVPA): This program is comprised of student volunteers who educate their peers about sexual violence and promote sexual violence initiatives on campus. Volunteers have the opportunity to earn academic credit through the Community and Public Service Program (RSSW). SVPA is under the direction of the Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence. For more information, go to www.albany.edu/advocacycenter or call (518) 442-CARE (2273).

Campus Center Management

The newly renovated and enlarged Campus Center, the space on campus that has always been the hub of University activity, is now even more so. Student service offices, meeting facilities, resource centers, student government, and the University Bookstore make this a popular destination for the University community and the center of daily campus life. Seventeen diverse dining venues and several new technologically enriched meeting rooms expand the availability for social, cultural, and educational events and bolster the opportunity for student leadership and engagement. The Campus Center is truly that third space on campus, between the classroom and residence where it all comes together.

For more information, stop by Campus Center Room 137, call the Campus Center Connections desk @ (518) 442-5491, or visit the Campus Center website at https://www.albany.edu/campuscenter/.

Campus Recreation      

Campus Recreation provides diverse, stimulating, and engaging recreational opportunities that enrich the UAlbany experience. These programs include Fitness & Wellness, Intramural Sports, Group Exercise Classes, Club Sports, Outdoor Pursuits, and Open Recreation.

Campus Recreation also provides facilities including three fitness centers equipped with aerobic, free weights and circuit machines, racquetball courts, and a pool. Outdoor spaces include basketball and tennis courts, grass and turf fields, and a softball field.

The Recreational Services Office is located on the main level of the Physical Education Building, PE-110A, and can be reached at (518) 437-3739. Visit the Campus Recreation website at www.albany.edu/rec, follow it on Twitter @AlbanyRec, or email at [email protected] to learn more.

Career and Professional Development

Career and Professional Development assists and supports students of all majors and class levels with exploring majors and career options, making decisions about graduate study, and identifying and preparing for internship and job opportunities.

Career and Professional Development supports students through one-on-one appointments as well as drop-in hours for quick questions and resume or cover letter feedback. Working closely with academic departments, The Alumni Association, student organizations, and other Student Affairs departments, Career and Professional Development provides workshops and events related to a variety of career topics.

Career and Professional Development also offers an on-campus recruiting program for internships and full-time employment, as well as annual Job and Internship Fairs. To learn more students should access their Handshake account. Handshake is UAlbany’s career development platform. Students can access their account at https://albany.joinhandshake.com.

In addition, further resources to research major and career information, graduate school programs, resumes and cover letters can be accessed by visiting their website at  www.albany.edu/career.

For more information, contact the office at Science Library G-50, (518) 437-4900, or visit www.albany.edu/career.

The Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research

The Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research promotes the behavioral health of University at Albany students by advancing innovative, evidence-based practices that address alcohol and other drug use, mental health promotion, and positive psychology, thereby enhancing the academic and personal success of our diverse student body. The Center engages in translational research, as well as teaching and supervision of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate trainees.

What the Center Does:
1. Provides the highest quality of services that promote the behavioral health of students and supports the prevention and health promotion efforts of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health Services (SHS).
2. Offers training opportunities in behavioral health at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.
3. Contributes to scholarship addressing best practices to support the behavioral health and well-being of college students, both within UAlbany and on a national scale.

The Center oversees the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, a nationally-recognized peer assistance program that trains students to help other students. Through a hotline service, Middle Earth peers lend a listening ear, assist with problem-solving, and provide information or referrals. Middle Earth also provides peer-to-peer wellness coaching services, workshops and interactive theatre presentations for the campus community. The Middle Earth hotline (518-442-5777) is open from 1:00 PM to midnight Monday through Thursday, and 24 hours a day from 1:00 PM on Friday until midnight on Sunday when classes are in session. Students providing peer services in Middle Earth earn academic course credit. For additional information about Middle Earth services or how to join Middle Earth, go to www.albany.edu/middleearthcafe/index.shtml.

The Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research is located in Suite 104 at 400 Patroon Creek Blvd. near the UAlbany uptown campus. Shuttle bus service is available during regular business hours from Collins Circle and the Social Sciences Bus Stop, Monday through Friday. Please call with questions or for further information (518) 442-5800 or visit www.albany.edu/behavioralhealth.

Community Standards

Community Standards promotes and supports a civil, respectful, and safe community through the establishment and administration of student community standards outlined in the University’s student code of conduct, Community Rights & Responsibilities, which can be found at: https://www.albany.edu/studentconduct/community_rights_and_responsibilities.php.

Community Rights & Responsibilities outlines behavioral expectations and prohibited conduct (including all New York State and Federal laws) for University at Albany students. This code affirms the values, standards and expectations, consistent with the University’s purpose as an educational institution. The University requires that each student accept responsibility for his or her own behavior and the consequences of their behavior.

Upon acceptance to the University at Albany, one is considered a student of the University and is required to abide by the University’s Community Rights & Responsibilities. The code of conduct applies to students whether they are on or off-campus and as such, any arrests in the city of Albany will be referred to Community Standards for appropriate follow-up.

Community Standards also offers a wide variety of ways for students, faculty and staff to become involved in the student conduct process, including participation as a member of the office’s Student Conduct Hearing Board. For more information about these opportunities, please visit the office’s website at: www.albany.edu/communitystandards/.

Neighborhood Life

As a sub-unit of Community Standards, Neighborhood Life provides programs and resources to students who live in and visit the neighborhoods surrounding the University. Programs include information about living off-campus, getting involved in the community, being a responsible neighbor, and staying safe off-campus. For more information on the programs and services offered by Neighborhood Life, please visit: www.albany.edu/neighborhoodlife.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides psychological assistance to help UAlbany students reach their educational and personal goals. CAPS staff is diverse and culturally inclusive, accessible, and available to meet the needs of all students. Staffed by psychologists, CAPS also provides supervised training for doctoral interns from throughout the United States and Canada. There is no charge for CAPS services.

Psychological Counseling and Consulting: CAPS provides both individual and group psychological counseling as well as evaluation for emotional, social, and academic concerns. A case manager is available to assist with referrals, as needed. Students may consult with CAPS staff by telephone, email or in person regarding issues that impact them or someone they care about. CAPS also offers a number of online self-help resources, including stress reduction and wellness apps and free anonymous online screenings for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and alcohol and other drug use.

To support the success of UAlbany students, CAPS offers workshops, informational exhibits, and interactive social media campaigns about mental health and wellness, alcohol and other drug use, body image and eating awareness, sport psychology and performance enhancement, and suicide prevention with the support and collaboration of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research. CAPS offers resources on reducing stress and supporting wellness and happiness in life, as well as offering workshops on how students can help other students as an empowered bystander.

Counseling and Psychological Services is located in Suite 104 at 400 Patroon Creek Blvd. near the UAlbany uptown campus. Shuttle bus service is available during regular business hours from Collins Circle and the Social Sciences Bus Stop, Monday through Friday. Please call with questions or to make an appointment (518) 442-5800. Email [email protected], or visit www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation, directions, and additional information.

Disability Resource Center

The DRC provides a broad range of personalized services to students with visible and invisible disabilities, including veterans. Services include pre-admission information, mobility tours, referrals to on and off-campus resources, alternative testing, advocacy, and individual appointments. An interactive process based on documentation is used to determine reasonable academic accommodations. The office makes recommendations to professors regarding individualized reasonable accommodations. Students with disabilities may schedule appointments for assistance with developing study and test taking skills, or to receive coaching in time management and setting goals.

These services are available to students with visible and invisible disabilities, whether or not they have had IEPs or 504 plans in high school. The DRC also interacts with local, state, and federal agencies concerned with disability issues to support student learning, as well as providing outreach and education to the University community.

The office is in Campus Center 130. Please call (518) 442-5490, email [email protected] or visit the DRC website at www.albany.edu/disability/.

Intercultural Student Engagement

The Office of Intercultural Student Engagement is committed to developing and maintaining a culturally inclusive campus environment where all students can engage in meaningful relationships with other students, faculty and staff. These experiences enhance the academic excellence, personal growth and leadership development of all UAlbany students.

Additionally, the Office oversees the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, the Interfaith Center and the Multicultural Resource Center, and collaborates with the Department of Residential Life to support the CHARGE Resource Center & the Women’s Resource Center, intellectually engaging and inclusive spaces where meaningful intercultural experiences and dialogues are encouraged and supported. These centers also provide support, advocacy, academic and social support for students from historically underrepresented communities, including, but not limited to, students of African, Latino, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) descent, various faith and interfaith communities, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and Ally community, and first generation college students, assisting them to succeed socially and academically.

More information is available in Campus Center B91, or call (518) 442-5565 or visit www.albany.edu/multicultural/.       

Orientation and Transition Programs

Orientation and Transition Programs supports the transition of new and continuing students at the University at Albany by encouraging the exploration of opportunities, supporting connections to University resources, promoting a sense of pride in the University, and partnering with parents and families. Students entering the University as newly matriculated freshman or transfer students are required to participate in an Orientation program. Orientation programs are designed to support new students and to introduce them to the academic, social and cultural aspects of the University. Freshman Orientation is a two day program in the summer which includes an overnight stay in a residence hall. Transfer students attend both a one day Transfer Advisement session as well as a separate one day Transfer Orientation program. All new students admitted in the spring semester will also attend an orientation program prior to the start of the semester.

Orientation and Transition Programs partners with family members during this exciting time in their student's life to assist them in understanding the experience their students are embarking upon. Family Orientation programs are offered concurrently with student programs and provide the opportunity to learn more about University resources available to incoming students.

Orientation and Transition Programs is located in the lower level of Eastman Tower on State Quad and can be reached at [email protected] or 518-442-5509. More information is also available at www.albany.edu/orientation.  

Residential Life

Living on campus is an integral part of the overall college experience. The Department of Residential Life provides both traditional and apartment-style living for over 7,500 students. Traditional residence buildings that are both suite- and corridor-style are located on the main campus and the downtown campus. All students living in traditional residence halls are required to be on a campus meal plan. There are also three apartment-style complexes, equipped with kitchens. All students are provided with cable hook-up and wireless internet connections. Laundry rooms are conveniently located in all buildings and are free of charge to resident students.

Freshmen students who live outside a 50 mile radius are required to live on campus for their first two years and are assigned to areas designed to enhance their overall experience and to build a solid foundation in their first and second year of college study. First year students can elect to participate in one of several Living-Learning Communities. These programs are designed so that students have the opportunity to live with other students who have similar interests and/or majors. There are also several L-LC options offered for transfer students. Living on campus is optional for transfer students.

Apartment housing is available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. There is no family housing currently available. All residence halls and apartments are smoke free.

For additional information, including scholars housing and the availability of Living-Learning Communities, go to the Residential Life website at www.albany.edu/housing.

The Department of Residential Life is located in the basement of Eastman Tower on State Quadrangle and can be reached at (518) 442-5875 or by emailing [email protected].

Student CARE Services

Student CARE Services helps students to identify and overcome barriers to success at the University by assessing needs, coordinating a comprehensive network of on and off-campus resources, and providing on-going follow-up and support. Supporting students is a team effort at UAlbany. The campus community is trained and empowered to reach out and let Student CARE Services staff know of students in need of assistance. The office will outreach to students or respond to a student’s own request for assistance.

Student CARE Services works closely with the CARE (Campus Assessment, Response, & Evaluation) Team. The CARE Team is a multidisciplinary group of professionals who meet weekly to support individual and community safety, well-being and success.

Students don’t have to go through hard times alone. Services are private and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Students who wish to seek confidential therapeutic counseling services should contact, or will be referred to, Counseling and Psychological Services.

For additional information, go the Student CARE Services website at www.albany.edu/ualbanycares/.
Student CARE Services is located in Campus Center 361 and can be reached at (518) 442-5501.

Student Health Services

The Student Health Services (SHS) provides quality medical care for registered students. Services include: treatment for acute illnesses and injuries, gynecologic and sexual health care, psychiatric services, immunizations, travel health counseling, and pharmacy services. There is an onsite pharmacy where students may fill most prescriptions written by SHS clinicians as well as a Self-Help Center (where over-the-counter medications can be obtained at low cost and charged to the student's account). SHS is open Monday – Friday and sees students by appointment. When Student Health Services facility is closed, an after–hours nurse advice line is available. Appointments with a health care provider are free of charge and may be made online by visiting the Student Health Services website at www.albany.edu/health_center/ or by calling (518) 442-5229. The main office telephone number is (518) 442-5454. SHS is located at 400 Patroon Creek Blvd. Suite 200, across the street from the Uptown Campus. Shuttle bus service is available during regular business hours. Shuttle bus schedules are available on the Parking and Mass Transit website. Any additional information about SHS services and immunization requirements can be found at www.albany.edu/health_center/.

To further support the success of UAlbany students, SHS delivers health education and health promotion services with the collaboration and support of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research. For additional information on health education and health promotion services, see www.albany.edu/behavioralhealth.

Student Involvement

The Office of Student Involvement supports the academic mission of the University by emphasizing student involvement in the campus community, which research has proven positively affects student retention, satisfaction, and academic success. Student Involvement encompasses Student Activities, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and the Center for Leadership and Service and focuses on encouraging every student to be engaged in activities outside of the classroom, providing leadership training and opportunities, and providing and supporting shared experiences for the entire UAlbany community.

The Office motto is: Involvement Leads to Success.

The Office of Student Involvement is located in Campus Center West B91 and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Student Involvement website www.albany.edu/involvement or visit https://myinvolvement.org/ to view the calendar of events and browse involvement opportunities.

Student Activities

Student Activities facilitates meaningful student involvement and engagement with the University in support of their academic and personal success. Student Activities is a campus leader for inclusive and innovative student programming that enhances the student experience. In its work, students will find community and increase their well-being through:

• Campus Events including the University Programming Board

• Student Organizations and Leadership

• Involvement in Graduate or Undergraduate Student government

The Office of Student Involvement is located in Campus Center West B91 and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Student Activities website www.albany.edu/involvement or visit https://myinvolvement.org/ to view the calendar of events and browse involvement.

Center for Leadership and Service

The Center for Leadership and Service creates an inclusive and respectful environment that challenges students to become positive agents of social change, whereby students are empowered to lead and follow as example, engaged in the community and recognized as world class leaders.

Learn to lead. Be a leader. Serve through leadership.

The office for the Center for Leadership and Service is located in Campus Center West B83B and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Center for Leadership and Service website www.albany.edu/leadership.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life supports, challenges and nurtures the 38 diverse fraternities and sororities and over 600 students that make up our fraternity and sorority community and the many volunteer faculty and chapter/graduate advisors. These organizations strive to uphold their founding values of scholarship, service, leadership and brotherhood/sisterhood on a daily basis. If students are looking for a group of values-minded individuals with high aspirations, then Fraternity and Sorority Life at UAlbany is their home! See the list of recognized organizations and note important information about unrecognized organizations. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is located in Campus Center West HUB and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Fraternity and Sorority Life website at https://www.albany.edu/involvement/greek.shtml.