Academic and Student Support Services

The university provides a variety of services and programs designed to support and enhance its educational programs and to assist students in solving problems that may interfere with their academic achievement. The services are directed and implemented by an expert professional staff.

Included in the section are a few of the educational outreach programs designed to assist the western region such as the Native American Consortium, Henry C. Youngerman Center, and the Center for Regional Advancement. Also included in the Educational Community Outreach section are a few of the programs hosted by the College of Education and a description of the Fredonia College Foundation, the not-for -profit corporation that assists SUNY Fredonia in fundraising and development efforts, as well as alumni connections.

Reed Library

Reed Library plays a key role in the teaching and learning process at Fredonia as students and faculty make heavy use of over 18 million volumes that comprise the holdings of the SUNY libraries. Over 32,000 journals are available online along with extensive collections of microforms, videotapes and DVDs. The Music Library houses more than 17,000 sound recordings and over 30,000 musical scores and performance parts. Archives and Special Collections contain extensive holdings, including the university archives, local history materials, records of the Holland Land Company, books and manuscripts of the noted Austrian author Stefan Zweig, the Sigurd Rascher Saxophone Collection, and the archives of the West Valley Nuclear Coalition.

Reference librarians provide in-depth instruction in the use of information sources for all academic disciplines and are able to answer specific questions and to advise students on research strategies. One-on-one research consultations are available by appointment, but patrons can have reference questions answered at all times by using the Ask Us 24/7 Instant Messaging service. The Archivist is available by appointment for research consultation regarding the holdings of the Archives and Special Collections. The Reed Library web pages contain extensive guides on the use of library resources.

A wide variety of resources including encyclopedias, indexes, full text articles, e-books and online journals and online reference services are available to the campus community 24 hours a day.

Reed Library is open at the following times during the academic year: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (next day); Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hours are extended during exam periods, and are reduced during inter-session and Summer Sessions. For more detailed information, patrons should go to the library website at http://www.fredonia.edu/library or telephone (716) 672-1234 (library hours) or (716) 673-3222 (Reference Desk). For General Information, please call Reed Library Circulation at (716) 673-3184. With seating for over 700 in many different areas, there is always a place to study in Reed Library.

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a wide range of services for students and employees. The robust campus network provides local area network and Internet access for approximately 2,400 ResNet (student residential network) connections and approximately 3,400 academic/administrative connections for classrooms, teaching/student laboratories and computer labs, Reed Library, and offices. The robust wireless network provides access in all campus buildings and includes some outdoor spaces. Collaboration and learning management tools are provided via Google Apps for Education and the ANGEL Learning Management System, and personal working/storage server space is available. "Your Connection" is the secure web interface providing student access to financial aid and billing information, course search and registration for classes, final grades, and information on how to access e-mail and ANGEL services.

Students are encouraged to purchase laptops and are required to maintain anti-virus protection on all devices logged into the campus network. Anti-virus software is licensed for enrolled students and available for download from the "Your Connection" interface. Recommended laptop specifications are available at http://www.fredonia.edu/its/Computer. Recommendations regarding anti-virus software are available at http://www.fredonia.edu/helpdesk/Virus.

Even though the majority of students bring their personal desktop or laptop to campus, students continue to utilize three general-purpose open computer labs in Reed Library, G22 McEwen Hall, and in the Media Center located at W203 Thompson Hall. In addition to general purpose labs, ITS supports a number of computer teaching labs that are utilized primarily for classroom instruction and then open for general use when classes are not in session. Interested persons should refer to http://www.fredonia.edu/ait/Labs for a complete listing of computer labs, equipment, and software.

Printing is available in all labs, including wirelessly in Reed Library and the Thompson Hall Media Center, with 600 single-page prints provided to each student per semester. Additional information about the print quota is available at http://www.fredonia.edu/ait/Labs/PrintingQuota.asp.

The Help Desk Team is the initial point of contact via the FredQuest request system at https://fredquest.fredonia.edu or by telephone at (716) 673-3150 for questions or assistance regarding the computing environment.

For more information regarding suggested personal computer configurations, email configurations, listserv policy and the Fredonia Computer and Network Usage Policy, interested persons should refer to the ITS website at http://www.fredonia.edu/its.

Learning Center/Disability Support Services

The Learning Center, located on the fourth floor of Reed Library, is a place where any SUNY Fredonia student can go to get help from student tutors. Tutoring is free and is available in most subject areas on a drop-in basis. Subject areas include but are not limited to: math, English/writing, computer science, physics, chemistry, psychology, sociology, Spanish, economics, business administration, accounting, biology, geology and history.

The Learning Center philosophy is that tutoring is not teaching and tutoring sessions are based on where the student is in his or her understanding of course material. Students must have at least attempted their assignments. The goal of tutoring is to help students with their assignments in a way that will help them become successful in all of their classes.

The center also has computers available for students to work independently or with tutors on assignments and projects. Students are encouraged to use the Learning Center for resources to help develop successful study skill strategies, and to get assistance with understanding course material.

Learning Center tutors are successful students who have been recommended by faculty to become tutors. Applications are accepted for tutoring positions in March. Final decisions are made by the end of April after a series of interviews. Tutors are then hired for both semesters of the following academic year.

The Learning Center provides language support services for English as a second language (ESL) and is also the home of Disability Support Services for Students, the Full Opportunity Program, and the 3-1-3 Program. The Learning Center can be reached by calling (716) 673-3550 or by email at learning.center@fredonia.edu. The Learning Center's website is located at http://www.fredonia.edu/tlc.

International Education Center

6 LoGrasso Hall

(716) 673-3451

Mary Sasso, Director

Mary Hills, Assistant Director

Email: international.education@fredonia.edu

Website: http://www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation

Fredonia students are encouraged to take an active role in global society by engaging in a variety of initiatives designed to strengthen their international awareness. The International Education Center (IEC) provides international-education opportunities from a variety of international perspectives, both on campus and abroad, and encourages faculty to include an international point of view in course work and curriculum across the disciplines. IEC also provides support for, and organizes, a variety of programs that bring artists, musicians, guest lecturers and speakers from other countries to campus.

International Student and Scholar Services

Fredonia welcomes international students, whose presence makes our institution a global village vast in ethnicities, languages, politics, nationalities, religions and traditions.

The International Student Services (ISS) staff understands the unique needs of international students and strives to provide them with a welcoming and educational environment to assure their successful transition to SUNY Fredonia. International students can find information about a variety of subjects including: admissions requirements, housing, working in the US, orientation and more at: http://www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation.

COIL – Internationalizing the Curriculum

The Coordinator of International Learning encourages the development of international scholarship, and works collaboratively with the staff in the International Education Center. On campus, the coordinator brings together faculty to recognize international research and promote interdisciplinary programming that highlights globalization. The Coordinator also encourages faculty to teach or conduct research abroad, publicizes faculty development opportunities abroad, and assists faculty in applying for Fulbright opportunities.

Study Abroad

Fredonia encourages as many students as possible to study abroad to enrich their academic program by broadening their knowledge of the world. A full time professional advises students in the selection of programs and assist in all facets of application processing. Fredonia has a large number of programs for students to choose from including semester or academic year programs, and winter/summer programs. These days, Fredonia students are choosing to do internships, service learning, and even student teaching abroad to give themselves a marketable edge in the workplace. For more information, interested persons should visit SUNY Fredonia's International Education Center web page at: http://www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation or email international.education@fredonia.edu.

International Health Insurance

Health and accident insurance is required of all State University of New York study abroad program participants. We strongly advise a policy that is designed especially for students studying abroad. Such a policy should minimally include overseas urgent and emergency medical care and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Medical evacuation and repatriation coverage is also required. The coverage must be in effect for the entire period away from home. Those who do not have such coverage must purchase the insurance provided by SUNY.

All students are required to purchase the MEDEX rider, as it includes evacuation for other than medical reasons. Complete descriptions of the SUNY International Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan and the MEDEX Medical Evacuation, Repatriation and Security Rider are available online at http://www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation/studyabroad/healthandsafety.asp.

Neither the State of New York, through its agents, nor the State University of New York through its agents and employees, is responsible in any manner whatsoever for the payment of any claim for health-related services provided to individuals covered under this insurance policy. The State of New York and State University of New York are not responsible for obligations incurred by individuals who are not covered by this insurance policy. All individuals participating in the University’s health insurance programs described herein are responsible for reviewing all descriptions of the scope and level of coverage offered by this policy. Such participants will be solely responsible for obtaining additional coverage not provided under this program if such is deemed necessary by the participant

Educational Development Program

The Educational Development Program (EDP), known statewide as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), is an academic and financial support services program administered by the State University of New York. It is designed to provide a college education for talented students who have not had an opportunity to realize their academic potential. EDP serves students from diverse backgrounds with priority for admission given to the “historically disadvantaged.”

In addition to support at the undergraduate level, EDP graduates can apply for a waiver of tuition for full-time graduate study upon acceptance at any SUNY college or university.

The Educational Development Program is a comprehensive, academically oriented program offering supportive services in three areas:

  1. Academic Support
    1. Freshman Seminar course
    2. Tutorial assistance
    3. Supplemental instruction
  2. Counseling Services
    1. Academic advisement
    2. Individual and group
    3. Career
    4. Personal and social
    5. Peer advising
  3. Financial Assistance
    1. Financial aid for qualified students
    2. Financial planning

Scholarships and awards are given to program students who excel academically and are involved in leadership and community service are: Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society, the Arthur O. Eve Scholarship, the Director's Award, the Gregory Antonio Fund Award, and the Ralph Wilson, Jr. EDP Book Award.

Students interested in the program should look for the EDP home page at http://www.fredonia.edu/edp or email edp.office@fredonia.edu.

Career Development Office

http://www.fredonia.edu/cdo

The Career Development Office (CDO) provides a link between the campus and the world of work. The professional staff helps freshmen through alumni to:

  • explore options and make career/major/job choices
  • plan strategies to gain experience and identify skills to become competitive
  • identify and apply for internship opportunities
  • develop skills to implement a successful job search
  • learn how to apply to graduate or professional school
  • locate information and opportunities to make decisions or implement plans
  • get connected to employers and graduate schools

CDO Services

Individual Counseling. Students are encouraged to make an appointment early in their university experience to examine the expectations they may have for a degree program, major, and possible occupations. Computer assessments, career information, and information interviewing are used to supplement counseling appointments. A counseling appointment is also recommended to find internships, review cover letter and resume drafts, identify job search strategies and resources, apply to graduate or professional school, or to prepare for interviews.

Career Information. Students can explore careers by viewing over 2,000 online video interviews from professionals in a wide variety of careers and browsing the Careers/Majors section of the CDO website. Books, magazines, pamphlets, articles, and videotapes about careers are organized for easy browsing on shelves in the resource area. They contain information about work tasks, desired academic background, personal qualities and experiences, salary, hiring organizations, and the job market. These materials are also available for sign-out.

Internships. An internship is a learning experience gained by working in a position related to a student's major or career field. Internships provide hands-on experience that can confirm or reject tentative career choices; help to develop useful career building skills; show potential employers evidence of the ability to apply skills in a related work environment and make students more attractive candidates for employment or graduate school.

Internships are available in a variety of disciplines, including: art and photography, biology and environmental science, business and accounting, chemistry, communication, computer and information sciences, counseling, law enforcement and legal offices, journalism and public relations, health administration, music business, sound recording technology and theatre arts.

Credit bearing internships are open to any registered student who has completed at least 30 credit hours and has a minimum GPA of 2.0. Internships may be in a student's major or in another department. Students may earn up to 15 hours of internship credit per semester and may count a maximum of 24 hours of internship credit toward the 120 hours required for an undergraduate degree. Students must complete a Learning Contract and have it approved by their faculty sponsor, internship site supervisor and the Internship Coordinator in the CDO. In addition, they must register for the appropriate course and pay the registration fee to receive credit.

The Internships section of the CDO website lists a wide variety of internship opportunities, a searchable database of internships previously held by SUNY Fredonia students, and current internship policies and procedures. Career counselors can help students find internship opportunities related to their interests and goals, as well as create an effective resume and cover letter.

Job Search Information. Online job search videos, employer directories, resources and links are available in the Looking for a Job section of the CDO website. Books and DVDs about how to look for a job, interviewing, writing cover letters and resumes, as well as sample resumes, are available on the job search information shelves in the resource area.

Job Vacancy Listings. Quest is a web-based system that each enrolled student has a personal account in. It provides access to internship, summer, and professional job listings; an employer database; a mentor database of Fredonia alumni; and a listing of special events. Search agents provide e-mail alerts of job and internship opportunities. Additional job databases, directories and resources are available with over four million organizations represented.

Resumes/Cover Letters. Assistance is available in developing resumes and writing cover letters, including individual appointments with career counselors, access to sample resumes, handouts, and online resources.

Practice Interviews. Students can practice interview skills by scheduling a videotaped or mock interview. With InterviewStream, students with Internet access and a webcam can also practice and record interviews whenever they want and email these to counselors for review. Suggestions for improving interviewing skills will be discussed.

Graduate School. Assistance is available in finding and applying to graduate and professional school. Directories of graduate programs, books on financial aid and how to write an application essay, as well as information for the GRE, GMAT and LSAT are available in the resource area. Test preparation software, books and videos are also available.

Workshops. The counselors make presentations to student clubs, classes and residence halls about career options, internships, summer jobs, resume writing, job searching, interviewing, and graduate or professional school application issues.

Career Resource Area. The library of almost 400 books, videotapes, magazines and brochures includes information about a variety of career fields; directories of potential employers, internships and graduate school programs; and how to write resumes, cover letters, find a job and interview successfully. A series of handouts on career choice, internships, job search, resumes and cover letters is also available.

Recruitment Events. Each year organizations visit the campus to interview students about to complete a degree program. In addition, students can participate in special annual programs such as Teacher Recruitment Days, Job & Internship Expo, and JobQuest. Professionals also visit the campus to make presentations about career fields, internship programs and job opportunities through the CDO Spotlight program.

Credentials File. Students about to complete a degree program are eligible to establish a file which includes a resume, course list, transcript, and letters of recommendation to be sent to prospective employers or graduate admissions personnel to support an application.

Follow-up Study on Graduates. Each year the office contacts the graduates of the university to determine their plans for the first year after graduation. Members of each class choose to accept diverse opportunities for further study and employment. Education organizations are the most frequent first-time employers of Fredonia graduates, followed by business and industry; non-profit/social service; government; media or arts organizations and self-employment.

Graduates are pursuing advanced degrees in science, law, business, education, music, medicine, and a variety of other disciplines at graduate institutions across the country, many widely recognized for their excellence. Information about the first year plans of recent graduates is available on request from the Career Development Office.

Contact Information. The Career Development Office is located on the second floor of Gregory Hall. Appointments can be made online from the CDO website at http://www.fredonia.edu/cdo/, in person at the reception desk or by phone at (716) 673-3327. The CDO can also be contacted via fax at (716) 673-3593 or by email at careers@fredonia.edu.

Center for Multicultural Affairs

The Center for Multicultural Affairs is the principal foundation for multicultural programming and outreach on Fredonia's campus and in the surrounding community. The center strives to offer a safe educational and social space to all members of the university community. Through advocacy, education and program development, the center supports the creation of a diverse university community for the purpose of enhancing the student population's academic development, level of cultural awareness and commitment to promote social justice.

The center houses the Black Student Union, Latinos Unidos, Women’s Student Union, Pride Alliance, Jewish Student Union, and the Native American Student Union, while providing support to the Gospel Choir and Sister Circle discussion group. Each of the groups provide a wide array of cultural programming and enrichment to the campus and community.

Additional services provided by the Center for Multicultural Affairs include academic, personal, group, and career services; student advocacy; leadership development; mentoring programs; and various other campus-wide diversity initiatives. For more information about the Center for Multicultural Affairs, students should call (716) 673-3398 or stop by the office at E125 Thompson Hall or email multicultural.affairs@fredonia.edu. The office's website is available at http://www.fredonia.edu/department/maffairs.

Professional Development Center

The SUNY Fredonia Professional Development Center in Reed Library strives to meet the professional development needs of all SUNY Fredonia employees by coordinating and providing educational opportunities for faculty and staff at various stages in their careers, and providing consultation and training opportunities for technology-related issues. The center's goal is to provide a centralized location for collecting and disseminating information about professional development opportunities taking place on campus and beyond. The center is committed to fostering a culture in which knowledge and expertise are shared among diverse constituencies and will provide a gathering place in which this dialog can occur.

The Professional Development Center can be contacted at (716) 673-4864. For more information on PDC events, interested persons should check the web page at http://www.fredonia.edu/pdc/.

Community Outreach

Center for Regional Advancement

The Center for Regional Advancement promotes the university’s service to the region through economic development and government efficiency projects.

The center sponsors analytical research reports to assist government decision-makers in moving toward more cost-effective and efficient service delivery in the region. Center Fellows, SUNY Fredonia faculty, and student researchers provide the expertise for these research projects. The center sponsored the development and building of a new SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator located in the city of Dunkirk's central business district. The incubator is a one-stop facility providing business development mentoring space for new start-up high tech companies. The incubator's goal is to provide job growth and business development opportunities for community entrepreneurs and existing businesses, as well as SUNY Fredonia graduates. Fredonia's degree programs in computer science, media arts, music, communication, business and natural sciences will provide a broad pool of talent for tech startup businesses that determine to locate within Northern Chautauqua County and Western New York.

The center also sponsors a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-funded Community Outreach Partnership Centers (COPC) program. SUNY Fredonia's COPC program, SUNY Fredonia/Dunkirk Community Partnerships, forms partnership with Dunkirk-area government offices, neighborhood organizations, civic groups, churches, and non-profit organizations to revitalize the city of Dunkirk's economy and quality of life.

For more information about the center, interested persons should contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, 2142 Fenton Hall, or call (716) 673-3808 or email graduate.studies@fredonia.edu.

Fredonia College Foundation, Inc.

The Fredonia College Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, was formed in 1964 to encourage and accept gifts and endowments in support of the priority needs of the State University of New York at Fredonia, its faculty and students.

In order to maintain the quality of academic offerings at Fredonia and to realize the university’s commitment to public service for western New York and the state, the university must look to non-state sources to assist in its development. The foundation seeks support for scholarships and those programs and events that enrich the university and community that cannot be supported by state funds.

Contributions from alumni, parents, friends, faculty/staff, emeriti, business and industry, the professions, foundations, and other public and private sources have strengthened many university programs. Gifts of cash, appreciated stock, real estate and insurance, gifts-in-kind, works of art, books, equipment, and teaching materials, as well as planned gifts such as bequests and gift annuities, have enabled the university to move forward, even in times of budgetary restraint.

The work of the Fredonia College Foundation is overseen by a volunteer board of directors, whose members serve three-year terms. The board is drawn from alumni, as well as local and regional community leaders. For information on opportunities for giving through the Fredonia College Foundation, interested persons should visit the foundation's website at http://www.fredonia.edu/foundation or email college.foundation@fredonia.edu.

Henry C. Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders

The Henry C. Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders is located in Thompson Hall. The center, a major component of the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, contains an audiology clinic, a speech-language clinic, laboratories and classrooms. Speech, language, and hearing evaluations and treatment are provided to students and residents of the neighboring communities. Students in Communication Disorders and Sciences participate as observers and as clinicians under the supervision of licensed and certified speech pathologists and audiologists.

Native American SUNY: Western Consortium

SUNY Fredonia continues to support the endeavors of the Native American SUNY: Western Consortium, which focuses upon educational access, opportunity, and development for Native American students and communities. The consortium is comprised of representatives of five Native Nations and 11 SUNY campuses in the Western and Central New York area. For more information, students and interested persons should contact the office at (716) 673-3170 or 1-800-851-5020 or email native.consortium@fredonia.edu or visit their website at http://www.fredonia.edu/na.

Office of Lifelong Learning and Special Projects

The Office of Lifelong Learning and Special Projects, headquartered in the Williams Center, brings together a unique combination of university and community support services.

Sponsored and Non-Sponsored Credit-free Conferences, Institutes, and Workshops

The office works with representatives from community groups and industrial organizations to identify and provide for the specialized educational needs of their memberships.

Lifelong Learning

The university, through this program, makes educational opportunities available to working adults and non-traditional students who wish to explore university study on a part-time basis. Students seeking admission through the Lifelong Learning program may apply using a simplified application procedure. No university entrance examinations are required; however, applicants must submit a high school transcript or GED score report.

Applications for admission are available in the Lifelong Learning and Special Projects office, 2148 Fenton Hall, or the Office of Admissions, 178 Central Ave. (Fenner House), Fredonia, NY 14063.

Qualified students are eligible to enroll in regular day or evening courses, including a number scheduled in the late afternoon and early evening. The Lifelong Learning program is especially appropriate for those who wish to pursue non-degree university studies on a part-time schedule - for personal growth, job advancement, or other reasons. Students will be assigned an academic advisor to assist with course selection. After a designated number of credit hours, students are encouraged to seek admission to a baccalaureate degree program at that time. Credit earned through Lifelong Learning course work will apply toward any degree program at the university.

A student with prior experience who is seeking degree study on a full-time or part-time basis should pursue admission as a transfer applicant (see Transfer Admissions).

Visiting Student Program

Students presently enrolled at another college or university who wish to pursue academic study at SUNY Fredonia for one or two semesters may apply for admission through the Visiting Student Program. Advantages of the program, in addition to expanding academic options, include getting to know other new students, faculty and geographic areas, as well as having an opportunity to see oneself, one's education, and future plans from a new perspective. To qualify for the program, students must receive approval for a proposed academic program from an appropriate official at their present college. Applications are reviewed following the procedures used in evaluating requests for admission from transfer applicants. Registration in specific courses is offered on a space-available basis.

For information on any of the above, students should call (716) 673-3177, or email lifelong.learning@fredonia.edu, or visit the Office of Lifelong Learning in 2148 Fenton Hall.

J-Term, Summer Session Courses

Many community members take advantage of the summer and J-Term offerings, which include arts, education and study abroad courses. The Office of Lifelong Learning and Special Projects coordinates the schedules for the inter-sessions. More information can be obtained on the web regarding these opportunities to explore and enhance one's education.