Academic Support Resources

Oswego has many resources and facilities that support student learning and complete the nurturing environment of our academic community. An overview of some of them follows.

Campus Technology Services
315-312-3456
help@oswego.edu
www.oswego.edu/cts

Campus Technology Services (CTS) is an integrated service organization caring for administrative computing, instructional computing, network services, technology user support and telecommunications. The department delivers a broad set of infrastructure, applications and services vital to the mission and operation of the College.

Students can start using the technology services on campus by activating their Laker NetID. This account is required to use many of the services on campus including e-mail, the residence hall network (ResNet), wireless network, computer labs, myOswego, Blackboard and more. Online activation is available from the “Account Activation Link” at www.oswego.edu/account.

Electronic mail (e-mail) is an official mechanism of communication at SUNY Oswego. Students, faculty, and staff have the responsibility to use e-mail in an efficient, effective, respectful, ethical and lawful manner. Individuals are expected to check their SUNY Oswego e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with college-related communications. Please refer to www.oswego.edu/cts/cts-policy-information for more information on technology policies.

Internet access is available in student residence hall rooms through wired and wireless connections. Students living on campus may connect their personal computer to access the campus network as well as the Internet from their room. Almost the entire campus is wireless. Wireless areas on campus are intended to cover faculty/staff offices, classrooms and public gathering spaces such as academic commons, dining halls, Penfield Library, and the Marano Campus Center. Exact locations of wireless spaces can be found at www.oswego.edu/cts/wireless.

There are numerous computer labs available on campus. CTS provides over 250 Windows and Macintosh computers for general student access and over 800 computers in specialized departmental labs. There are general access computer labs for student use in Penfield Library (including the 24-hour room), and Marano Campus Center. There are also labs available in the Oneida, Scales, Waterbury and Hart residence halls.

Departmental computer labs are available to students in their academic programs. These are located in the Art, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physics, Psychology, and Technology as well as the School of Education, and the School of Business.

Phone service is available upon request to students living in the residence halls. On-campus phone calls can be made and incoming calls received at no charge. A billing plan is required to make off-campus phone calls. To set up a billing plan visit the Telecommunications website www.oswego.edu/cts/telecommunications or the Telecommunications Office on the first floor of Culkin Hall.

The myOswego web site, www.oswego.edu/myOswego, provides student access to their personal college records. Students can register for classes, pay their bill, review financial aid, check their grades, sign up for campus emergency communications, and more.

The SUNY Oswego Mobile App is a recommended addition to all student’s mobile phone. The app provides students with access to their grades, schedule and a degree completion scorecard, a map of the campus, people directory, events and of course, the latest dining choices. More information is available at m.oswego.edu.

Additionally, all students should add Oswego Guardian to their phone. The free Rave Guardian safety app can be used to check in with family, friends, campus police, or others you trust to help you stay safe both on and off campus. More information is available at www.oswego.edu/police/oswego-guardian

CTS also provides technology in the classroom for faculty and student use. Our Advanced Technology Classrooms (ATCs) promote opportunities for teaching and learning by integrating learning technology, such as computers, projection, document cameras, and DVD / Blu-ray players. Selected locations are equipped with Smart technology, audience response technology, lapel mic’s, dual projection, and lecture capture service.

The Help Desk is available to assist students with any of the technology services provided by CTS. Located in 26 Lanigan Hall, the Help Desk provides a central location and single point of contact for technology support and information. The Help Desk also provides support over the phone at 315-312-3456 or by email at help@oswego.edu. Visit Campus Technology Services online at www.oswego.edu/cts

315-312-3068
www.oswego.edu/firstyear

SUNY Oswego’s First-Year Programs are designed to help freshmen to be successful in college. These programs include: First-Year Advisement (see Academic Advisement under the Curriculum Information  section of this catalog), First Choice Academic Experience, and First Year Residential Experience. These programs are geared towards helping the students connect to the faculty, staff and each other.

The First Choice Academic Experience offers small classes specially designed to help first-year students gain skills and access resources necessary to be successful in college. These courses are integrated into the regular curriculum and taught primarily by full-time faculty and staff, providing opportunities for individual attention from the professor and solid group interaction. Oswego offers Preceptor, Gateway, and Service Learning courses in multiple subject areas, as well as Special Interest Programs for eligible individuals including CHAMPS for athletes and Honors. First Year Learning Communities are also available through First Choice, offering students a chance to take a block of integrated courses.

Johnson Hall houses the First Year Residential Experience (FYRE), which offers a structured community encouraging first-year students to succeed academically. Students have academic and social requirements that assist them in becoming involved with life on-campus and the greater community.
 

145 Marano Campus Center • 315-312-2255
www.oswego.edu/undeclared

Students who are exploring academic majors and related careers can choose to be “undeclared” for their first and second year at Oswego. The major is housed under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and coordinated by Career Services. All undeclared students are assigned to an Undeclared Academic Advisor trained to support students in the major and career exploration process.

Undeclared first year students are expected to actively explore majors and careers. During their first year they will participate in at least one major exploration program, workshop or class specifically designed to support them through the major exploration process. There are a range of programs and services including self-assessments, career coaching appointments, job shadows, major exploration courses, and community service opportunities.

There are numerous services and resources available to guide students through the process, which include:

• Self-Assessments
• Exploration Workshops
• Individualized Career Coaching with Industry Experts
• Job Shadow/Informational Interviews
• Undeclared Advisement
• Online Resources and Tools
• What Can I do with a Major in …? - comprehensive website to explore majors and careers
• Courses - GST 103: Exploring your Strengths or GST 110: Life Planning and Major Exploration (first choice course available to undeclared first-year students only)

Though students may remain undeclared up to the time they complete 60 credit hours, students are encouraged to select and confirm their academic major between 30-45 credit hours as some academic majors have significant core requirements that need to be completed early on to ensure timely progress to graduation. In addition, one of the requirements for SUNY Oswego’s ROI program requires a student to declare by the end of their third semester.
 

183 Marano Campus Center • 315-312-3638
www.oswego.edu/transfer

SUNY Oswego’s Transfer Services Office was created in order to provide the almost 900 transfer students with support during their time at Oswego. The Transfer Services Office is responsible for several programs related to transfer success including the Tau Sigma National Academic Honor Society, Transfer Social Media, Transer Mentoring, and the Transfer Services website which contains information related to Transfer Orientation, course equivalencies, articulation agreements, transfer student scholarships, and involvement opportunities.

The Transfer Mentoring program pairs Tau Sigma members with incoming transfer students to help new transfer students adjust to their new academic and social community. Tau Sigma is the National Transfer Student Academic Honor Society and any transfer student who transfers in with at least 24 credits and is in the top 20% of their incoming class is eligible. The transfer Social Media group offers an internship for leadership and maintains social media outlets to keep all Oswego Transfers informed academically and socially.

The Office of Transfer Services is also responsible for the creation and maintenance of program agreements with community colleges and other four-year institutions. We also work with a number of other offices on campus to provide services and programs to aid transfer students in their transition to SUNY Oswego.

145 Marano Campus Center
315-312-2151
experience@oswego.edu
www.oswego.edu/experience

The Center for Experiential Learning offers students an opportunity to earn academic credit for experiential learning in a variety of businesses, non-profit organizations, and community agencies. Students earn college credit, gain valuable experience outside of the classroom, and link academic content and theory to the real world. Experiential learning opportunities are available throughout New York State, at selected sites throughout the U.S., and in international locations such as London. Opportunities within the Center for Experiential Learning give students the opportunity to: (1) learn the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to be effective in the workplace, (2) put theory into practice, (3) gain transferable skills, (4) explore various career opportunities, (5) network with experts in the field, (6) build a resume and portfolio of successful professional experience for future employment, (7) learn about the world of work first-hand,  (8) grow professionally and personally. Students also value our project-based and service-learning courses with an emphasis on active, community-engaged learning. These credit-bearing courses help students understand the value of civic engagement in our democracy while exploring the many roles they can assume in college and later in life.  Our programs include:

• Internship Program
• Cooperative Education Program
• Project-Based Learning
• Professional Skills Preparatory
• Leadership in Your Field
• Mentor-Scholar Program
• Oswego Children’s Project
• RISE

For more information see Center for Experiential Learning  under the OTHER ACADEMIC OPTIONS section of this catalog.
 

403-405 Shineman Center
Contact: Director, Environmental Research Center, Department of Chemistry

The Environmental Research Center (ERC) is a specialized research unit of the College housed within the Department of Chemistry.  The ERC provides state-of-the-art analytical services for multidisciplinary environmental, human health, and Great Lakes research projects.  The ERC specializes in the analysis of legacy and emerging contaminants, including congener-specific polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), dioxins/furans/coplanar PCBs, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a variety of environmental matrices.  The ERC has two environmental chemistry laboratories equipped with research-grade analytical instrumentation for sample preparation and the measurement of organic contaminants in the  environment, including: Waters AutoSpec Premier Gas Chromatograph-High Resolution Mass Spectrometer - with Agilent 7890GC, MMI and 7693 Autosampler, 2 Agilent 7890 GC/ECD with SS/PTV and 7683 Autosampler, 2 Agilent 7890B/5977A EI/CI MSD with MMI/SS and 7693 Autosampler, Agilent 7890/5975C Inert XL EI/CI MSD with SS/MMI and 7693 Autosampler, 2 Waters HPLC-GPC Breeze preparation systems, FMS PowerPrep and PowerVap Automated Sample Cleanup, Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE) 150, and 2 Biotage TurboVap II Workstations.

Studies conducted at the ERC have included: USEPA Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program, USEPA/Wisconsin’s Assessment of Healthy Consumption of Great Lakes Fish, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe - Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project, Xenobiotics in Fish from New York’s Great Lakes International Waters, Ambient Levels of Persistent and Emerging Air Toxics in Acadia National Park, wildlife contaminant studies, development of analytical methods for the determination/separation of congener-specific PCBs/PCTs/OC pesticides/PBDEs/dioxins/furans in sediments, biota and water. Research funding is provided through collaborative grants from USEPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, Great Lakes Commission, National Science Foundation, ATSDR, National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, NYS Great Lakes  Protection Fund, Great Lakes Research Consortium, Novelis Corporation, and World Wildlife Federation.

Opportunities exist for interested faculty and students to become involved in collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects.  Highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students are supported with extramural research funding and environmental fellowships.  Independent study and Capstone research experiences are also offered for qualified students through the Department of Chemistry.

34 E. Bridge St., Oswego, NY 13126
315-312-3492
obcr@oswego.edu
www.oswego.edu/obcr

The Office of Business and Community Relations:

• Administers the Small Business Development Center, which uses SUNY Oswego faculty, staff and students to counsel individuals who want to start or expand a small business.
• Provides classroom training and workshops to groups of individuals who want to start small businesses.
• Administers the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County, which writes and obtains training grants for the private and public sectors.
• Administers the Leadership Oswego County program, a nine-month program that teaches community trusteeship, leadership skills, current issues and networking to a diverse group of community residents.
• Provides technical assistance to and conducts workshops for not-for-profit boards that teach governance and organizational development.
• Provides technical assistance, research, impact analysis and grant writing for local government and community agencies, using SUNY Oswego faculty and professional staff.
• Serves as a conduit for research projects from the business community to various campus departments.
• Administers the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which places people aged 55 and older in volunteer assignments they find meaningful, while at the same time satisfying community needs.
• Acts as a contact to community, business and government to engage the resources of SUNY Oswego
   

171 Marano Campus Center
315-312-2571
www.oswego.edu/ols

SUNY Oswego provides academic and tutoring support services to all students enrolled at the college. The Office of Learning Services (OLS) houses three particular services, the Writing Center, the Learning Center, and the Center for Mathematics and Natural Sciences which students, especially lower division students, find helpful. Students who would like to work on improving particular skills, on mastering a particular subject, or are interested in improving their ability to succeed on tests in a particular course can take advantage of these services. Supervised by full-time professional staff of the college, tutoring is typically provided by undergraduate students who have been successful in a particular course or an academic major and who have received training in how to effectively assist students in improving their basic skills, mastering their understanding of course content, or in learning how to be a better student. Tutorial support is available for all lower division courses. Students may request services by applying in person or online.
The Office of Learning Services also administers the Educational Opportunity Program and the First Year Select Program. The EOP program combines access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to make higher education possible for those students who have the potential to succeed. EOP admission is part of the general college admissions process and the program requires the successful completion of a mandatory summer program prior to the start of freshman year. The First Year Select program is designed for first year students who would benefit from a learning community designed to foster the development of sound study and critical thinking skills. It is a series of courses combining a composition course, a mathematics course (based on placement), a learning to learn course, and either a gateway course or a General Education course. The community provides study groups and coordinated syllabi, which enhance good study and learning techniques and ensure that the student makes progress toward meeting the college’s basic skills requirements.
 

315-312-2560
www.oswego.edu/library

Penfield Library, located in the heart of campus, is a technology-rich learning center providing the SUNY Oswego community with information resources, user-centered services and engaging spaces. The Library houses a physical collection of over 400,000 books, CDs, videos, and other resources, and provides online access to over 60,000 e-journals and 86,000 e-books.  Over 150 computer workstations are available throughout the library, including 22 workstations in our 24-hour study room and 30 laptops that can be checked out for in-library use. Convenient printing services are available from all computers.

The four-story, Wi-Fi equipped building has seating for over one thousand students including individual and group study areas, individual study carrels, a quiet study floor, and technology-enhanced spaces for collaborative work and presentation practice. The Library’s Lake Effect Cafe is a popular campus eatery with a wide range of menu options and comfortable seating.

The Library brings together many services to support student learning, including the Ask A Librarian research help desk, technology assistance from Campus Technology Services, and writing tutoring from the Office of Learning Services. SUNY Oswego librarians are available during most of the library’s open hours, answering questions in person, by telephone, chat, text message and email. Librarian help is also available through our collaborative 24/7 online chat service and via our online tutorials. Subject specialist librarians provide an orientation to library research and information sources in many courses and also offer personal research appointments.

Penfield Library provides access to materials in other libraries through its interlibrary loan service, featuring a statewide, quick-delivery service. The Library’s Special Collections houses the College archives, rare books, and local history materials, including the papers of the United States’ thirteenth president, Millard Fillmore.
 

315-216-6677
www.oswego.edu/ricecreek

The College operates a field station located one mile south of the main campus as a year-round facility to provide opportunities for field oriented biological and earth science teaching and research. Guiding this effort is the mission of the Rice Creek Station to be a living laboratory for the advancement of knowledge through ecological research, education, and stewardship of the natural world. To accomplish this mission, the station has a newly constructed central building, which contains two state-of–the-art laboratories, a lecture/seminar room and a small museum area housing collections of plants, vertebrates and invertebrates, and a small reception area for visitors. Additionally, the grounds surrounding the station include an herb garden and 300 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams that are used for ecological research by faculty and students in formal course work and independent study projects. In addition to academic offerings, the Field Station provides public programs in nature education for groups and individuals, school aged to adult. Four nature trails, open to the public, provide opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Orange trail, about two miles in length, is also open for bicycling. The trails pass through fields and woods in several stages of succession. Trail maps are available at the field station building.
 

131A Sheldon Hall
315-312-2587
www.oswego.edu/other_campus/children

The Children’s Center provides child care and preschool programs for children ages 18 months-5 years. The curriculum areas include art, science, music, cognitive and language development, and outdoor play. Meals and snacks are provided. Tuition is based on a sliding scale according to household income and child care tuition subsidies are sometimes available for low income SUNY students. Call the center as early as possible to be put on the waiting list.
 

Tyler Box Office
315-312-2141
tickets@oswego.edu(online sales)
www.oswego.edu/theatre

Waterman Theatre is located in Tyler Hall, the Fine and Performing Arts building. After a two-year renovation, the Theatre reopened in Fall ‘16 as a 420 seat theatre, fitted with hearing loops for assisted hearing and ADA elevator access. The theatre space includes state-of-the-art support facilities and is equipped with counter weighted fly lines, electronic dimmers, stage traps, elevated orchestra pit, a complete intercommunications and sound systems. Support areas include well-equipped scene and costume shops, a lighting and electronic experimentation room, spray booth, storage galleries, make-up and dressing rooms, quick change rooms, and a green room. Phase II renovations are planned for the non-performances spaces and Lab Theatre, which will be ongoing through 2020. Waterman Theatre is used by the Departments of Theatre, Music and ARTSwego for their performances, the 2017 Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit and has hosted campus groups such as ALANA, del sarte and Gospel Choir.
 

151 Marano Campus Center
315-312-3078
esl@oswego.edu

The International Language and Education Center administers the Summer Intensive English Program and the English for Academic Purposes Program for students who are required to or interested in improving their proficiency in English. The Summer Intensive English Program offers credit courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced speakers of English as a Second Language. Students receive formal instruction daily to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Additionally, instructors focus on grammar and pronunciation. Students also participate in required and optional after-class activities that include weekend trips, presentations, and tutoring sessions. The English for Academic Purposes Program offers credit courses each fall semester to exchange, undergraduate and graduate students who are required to or desirous of developing their academic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. These courses count as Art and Science electives in most undergraduate programs.