Division of Student Affairs

The Office of the Dean of Students (DoS) serves as a single point of entry and central resource for students, families, faculty, and staff when navigating complex issues that impact the student experience. DoS units and staff support student success by cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus culture through education, campus engagement, and student self-advocacy. The Office will work directly with students to assist them with a variety of concerns and connect them to appropriate resources on and off campus.

The following units comprise the Office of the Dean of Students:

The Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence provides confidential advocacy and emotional support services to student survivors of all types of sexual violence through the coordination and provision of all services and actions they may need to help them heal. The Center provides a comprehensive sexual violence prevention and training program for students, faculty and staff.

Community Standards supports and promotes a safe and civil community through the establishment and administration of the student code of conduct, Community Rights and Responsibilities. Staff in this unit consult with students, faculty/staff, and community partners and facilitate a variety of resolution processes to address concerns, conflicts, and violations of University policy.

The disABILITY Resource Center supports students by ensuring a fully accessible living and learning environment for the University’s programs, services, and activities in order to prepare them for a successful future in a diverse and global society.

Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) provides support, resources, programming, outreach, and accountability to students who reside or plan to reside off-campus with an emphasis on safety and security, community engagement, being a good neighbor, locating housing, and tenants’ rights. OCSS strives to promote positive University/community relations by working collaboratively with internal and external partners to address issues and concerns that impact the college community off-campus.

Student CARE Services administers programs to help students overcome personal, social, and financial barriers to academic success, especially those related to emergency and basic needs. Support may include collaborative needs assessment, resource coordination, financial and in-kind grants, and on-going mentorship.

Veteran and Military Student Services provides support to University at Albany students who are veterans, veteran-dependents, active duty personnel, Reserve and National Guard members, and ROTC cadets to secure Veterans Affairs educational benefits, facilitate connections, and create a sense of community through veteran-centered events and activities.

The Office of the Dean of Students and staff can be reached at (518) 442-5501 or [email protected].

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 freshmen or transfer students are required to participate in an Orientation program. Orientation programs support new students and 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 student is 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 on their website.

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 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 (L-LC) that allow them to live with other students who have similar interests and/or majors. There are also several L-LC options offered for transfer students, though living on campus is optional.

Apartment housing is available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students with the exception of the Freedom Quad apartment complex, which is also available to sophomores. 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, visit the Residential Life website.

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 [email protected].

Student Health Services

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 the 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 or by calling (518) 442-5229. The main office telephone number is (518) 442-5454. SHS is located in the Health and Counseling Services building. The entrance to Health and Counseling Services is on the south side of Dutch Quad across from the Athletic fields. Please visit the Student Health Services website for additional information about services and immunization requirements.

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, please visit their website.

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. A student-centered organization that engages in shared decision-making, Student Involvement advocates for inclusivity and equity, affirms the identity of all individuals, and provides gathering spaces to encourage formal and informal community interactions that build meaningful relationships. The Office focuses on encouraging every student to be engaged in activities outside of the classroom, providing leadership training and opportunities, and supporting shared experiences for the entire UAlbany community.

The Office motto is: Involvement Leads to Success.

Student Involvement is located in Campus Center West B91 and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Student Involvement website or the MyInvolvement platform to view the calendar of events and browse involvement opportunities.

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 the Student Involvement suite in Campus Center West B91, call the Campus Center Connections desk at (518) 442-5491, or visit the Campus Center website.

Fraternity and Sorority Life supports, challenges, and nurtures the 37 diverse fraternities and sororities and over 400 students that make up our fraternity and sorority community as well as 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 on the Fraternity and Sorority Life website. Please visit Campus Center West 183 or contact (518) 442-5566 for more information.

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 and the Women’s Resource Center, intellectually engaging and inclusive spaces where meaningful intercultural experiences and dialogues are encouraged and supported. These centers also provide 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. The goal is to assist students to succeed socially and academically. More information is available in the Student Involvement suite (Campus Center West B91), on their website, or by calling (518) 442-5566.

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

Student Activities is located in Campus Center West 183 and can be reached at (518) 442-5566. Visit the Student Activities website or MyInvolvement to view the calendar of events and browse involvement opportunities.