SUNY Potsdam’s Student Success Center (SSC) provides students with one-stop access to a centralized, integrated group of student service offices. All offices are located on the first floor of Sisson Hall. Center personnel work together to assist students in understanding and meeting the College’s requirements and in obtaining timely, accurate information and assistance. The staff in all offices strives to guide and encourage students to effectively use available resources in order to promote students’ success at SUNY Potsdam and beyond.
For more information, contact the Director of the Student Success Center by calling (315) 267-2580 or visit www.potsdam.edu/support/ssc/.
Academic Advising
Each matriculated student is assigned an academic adviser who will give advice to assist the student toward timely graduation. However, the ultimate responsibility for understanding and completing degree and graduation requirements lies with the student, not the adviser. All non-matriculated students enrolling for nine or more credit hours, and all matriculated students, must consult with an adviser before they will be permitted to register for classes each semester. A student’s primary adviser will then release the advising hold, allowing the student to access the online registration system.
Students are assigned an adviser soon after their arrival on the SUNY Potsdam campus, usually reflecting the student’s area of interest. If students have concerns about their adviser assignment, or have questions about academic requirements that their adviser cannot answer, they may contact the following offices: Arts and Sciences Advising Coordinator in Dunn 103 or Academic Advising and Support in Sisson 110 if they are in the School of Arts and Sciences; Teacher Education Advising Services in Satterlee 111 if they are in the School of Education and Professional Studies; and, the Office of the Associate Dean of The Crane School of Music in Bishop C222 if they are in The Crane School of Music.
When students officially declare a major or a minor, the department chair assigns them an adviser in that department. Students will have an adviser assigned for each major and minor they declare and will need to see each adviser every semester before registering. Advising should be a continuing process not limited to selection and approval of courses. Students should discuss with their academic adviser any academic difficulties in their classes, problems outside of class that affect their academic performance, career planning issues, and special academic opportunities such as internships, study abroad, cross-registration, departmental awards, and honor societies. Students should also consult with their adviser before making important academic decisions, such as withdrawing from a class, selecting the S/U grading option, or attempting a semester credit overload. The academic adviser receives copies of transfer credit evaluations and can access early alerts and course summaries on BearPaws and degree progress on BearDen.
Note: Each student is responsible for satisfying requirements for graduation as listed under College, general education, and major/minor requirements. This shall include notifying the Registrar’s Office in the event any course, whether failed or passed, is repeated and regular consultation with an assigned adviser.
For more information on Academic Advising, please call (315) 267-3447 or stop by Sisson 110.
Adult Learner/Non-traditional Student Advising
Non-traditional students are usually 24 years of age or older, have had at least a two-year break in their education, hold a GED rather than high school diploma, and/or are married or single with dependents.
Adult Learner/Non-traditional students are represented on campus through the Student Success Center (SSC). There is also a Non-traditional Student Lounge located in 107 Carson Hall where students can relax, study or hold meetings. There are lockers available by the semester for student use located in both Carson and Sisson Halls. The Adult Learner Adviser facilitates programs, advises students, answers questions and provides useful information on commuting/carpooling, childcare, tutoring, and computer technology assistance.
The Omicron Zeta Chapter (SUNY Potsdam Chapter) of Alpha Sigma Lambda is the international honor society chartered expressly for non-traditional students who are 24 years of age or older. Each Spring semester a number of non-traditional students who meet the national standards for student membership are inducted into this prestigious honor society. National scholarships for which members may apply are also available for up to $2,200.
For more information, contact Patrick Massaro in the Student Success Center at (315) 267-3398 or stop by Sisson 128.
Adult Learner Organization
Adult Learners (also known as Non-Traditional Students) are encouraged to join the Non-Traditional Student Association (NTSO) which meets bi-weekly each semester. The NTSO is a diverse group of students brought together by the common pursuit of higher education at SUNY Potsdam. For additional information, contact the organization’s advisor by calling (315) 267-3398.
Accommodative Services
SUNY Potsdam is committed to the full inclusion of all students who can benefit from educational opportunities. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the College endeavors to make reasonable adjustments in its policies, practices, services, and facilities to ensure equal opportunity for qualified students with disabilities to participate in all educational programs, services, and activities. The College will also strive to ensure that a person with a disability who is otherwise qualified will not, on the basis of that disability, be denied full and equal access to and enjoyment of academic and co-curricular programs or activities or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under programs or activities offered by the College.
The Office of Accommodative Services (OAS) provides academic accommodations for all qualified students who have documented learning, emotional, and/or physical disabilities and have need for accommodations. Accommodations can include such services as note takers, text readers, alternative testing arrangements or loan of some equipment.
A student with a disability requiring reasonable academic accommodations should make the specific request for such assistance to OAS. It is the responsibility of the student to identify themselves as having a disability and to inform OAS that an accommodation is necessary. The student must submit written documentation of the disability and the need for accommodations from an appropriate authority. Accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.
OAS will assist students requesting non-academic auxiliary aids or services in locating the appropriate campus offices to address the requests. Personal care needs are the responsibility of the student.
For additional information on Accommodative Services, please call (315) 267-3267 or stop by Sisson 111.
Student and Family Transitions/Orientation
The staff in the Office of Student and Family Transitions is responsible for organizing orientation for all first-year students and coordinating sections of the First Year Success Seminar course offered to first-year students. Orientation is one of the most significant activities for first-year students. Over 95 percent of first-year students participate in orientation.
Attending orientation accomplishes a number of critical functions:
- It provides students with a relaxed and informal atmosphere in which to become comfortable with the campus and to become acquainted with professors and advisers.
- It offers the students the opportunity to register for classes.
- It enables students to learn about the policies and procedures of the College.
- It offers time for social opportunities and the chance to meet other new students.
The First Year Success Seminar is a two-credit course designed specifically to give ambitious first-year students an accelerated transition to SUNY Potsdam. The seminar provides the student with the opportunity to become integrated into the academic life of the campus by exploring campus programs, services and technologies. Together, these experiences will provide students with the inside track needed to develop their own academic skills and learning strategies necessary to be successful at SUNY Potsdam.
The mission of Family Programs is to partner parents and family members with the College to create a better understanding of the college experience and the growth of our students. The office oversees annual Family Weekend programs, Parent Association group, and our Campus Link Newsletter. For more information, contact the Office of Student and Family Transitions at (315) 267-2580 or stop by Sisson 128.
Military and Veterans’ Student Services
The Office of Military and Veterans’ Student Services is responsible for the following services to assist military service personnel, military dependents and veterans, including: advising incoming students; conducting veteran student orientation; certifying veteran benefits; representing the College in the North Country Consortium; seeking grant opportunities; and, coordinating local volunteer efforts on campus. This office serves over 100 students each semester. For additional information, contact the Office of Military and Veterans’ Student Services at (315) 267-3398 or stop by Sisson Hall 128C.
Academic Support Lab/Group Tutoring
The Academic Support Lab, located in 106 Sisson Hall, provides a variety of academic support services for all students. Walk-in and peer content tutoring is available in many 100 to 300 level courses. General study skills assistance is available by appointment. A small bank of computers and a printer are available for general use. Both Macs and Windows computers are equipped with internet access and Microsoft Office. Laptops are available to students on a weekly loan basis. Workshops, presentations and review sessions are also sponsored by the Academic Advising and Support Office. For more information, please call (315) 267-2702.
Special Programs
Bridges
The Bridges Program at SUNY Potsdam is a one-year, transition program for talented students who are not academically eligible for regular admission. Bridges provides support services to enhance first-year academic success. The transitional program includes academic advising, personal counseling, mentoring, supplemental instruction, and course registration and other services such as group content tutoring and learning skills workshops as provided through the Student Success Center. All Bridges students sign a learning contract that specifies program requirements.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
EOP serves talented students who are not academically eligible for general admission but meet specific economic eligibility criteria. Program services include counseling, supplemental instruction, workshops, EOP Direct Aid, an extended fall orientation program, EOP-specific Freshmen Interest Groups (FIGs), special intersession academic programs, and a freshman seminar. For additional information please call (315) 267-2335 or visit www.potsdam.edu/admissions/apply/special/EOP/index.cfm.
TRiO Student Support Services
TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRiO program designed to enhance academic skills and increase retention and graduation rates of eligible students. Services include peer tutoring, academic planning, academic monitoring, study skills assistance, financial literacy/planning, graduate school planning, counseling, cultural activities and peer mentoring. Through coordination with other campus offices, the program also assists participants with career planning and financial aid counseling.
Eligible students:
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
- Are first-generation college students and/or meet certain family income guidelines and/or have a documented learning or physical disability, as well as;
- Have a demonstrated academic need for services.
Special note: Students with disabilities who require classroom accommodations should apply for them through the Office of Accommodative Services.
For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/support/ssc/sss, contact the Director of TRiO Student Support Services, Mark Millward, by calling (315) 267-2745, or email millwamd@potsdam.edu.
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