SUNYUlster, Author at SUNY Ulster News Blog

Fun, Free Events at SUNY Ulster this Fall

September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 by SUNYUlster

As the days grow shorter and colder, you may find yourself wondering what to do, especially if you’re on a budget. Good news: there’s always something enriching to enjoy and learn from at SUNY Ulster! The following is a list of upcoming events happening over the next few months that are open to students AND the community, so even if you’ve never been to SUNY Ulster before, you should come by!

New Immigrant & Refugee Visions: Screening and Discussion

Wednesday, September 26, 1:00 p.m.,
College Lounge, Vanderlyn Hall

This event features documentary films by immigrants from around the world who came to America, followed by an audience-led discussion of immigrant issues. Find out more about this series by visiting Community Supported Film’s site. You can also find more events like this one by checking out the Diversity page on our website.

Visiting Artist Andrew Zuckerman: A Message from the Exterior

Thursday, October 11 – Friday, November 2, Slide Lecture/Opening Reception: October 11, 7:00 p.m., College Lounge

Visiting Artist Andrew Zuckerman is an award winning photographer, filmmaker, and curator. Much of his work is concerned with the intersection of nature and technology. Zuckerman’s ongoing portrait practice utilizes both photography and filmed interview formats to examine human perspectives. With the support of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he released WISDOM in 2008 as a book, a feature length documentary film, and a global traveling exhibition. For this exhibition, Andrew will show a selection of works from his series “A Message from the Exterior,” an installation of photographic works from his continued investigation of the human relationship to the natural world.

The Art Force 5

Wednesday, October 24, 9:00 a.m.,
Student Life Center (Cafeteria)

The Art Force 5 uses the accessibility of art and the popularity of superheroes to explore issues of equality, violence, history, community, and empathy. The Art Force 5 is partnering with SUNY Ulster SGO, Multicultural Club, COIL, and Academic Travel to engage the community by inviting students and community members to paint one tile of a 250-piece mosaic tribute. The completed mosaic will be on display on the SUNY Ulster campus.

Annual Project Presentations for COIL

Thursday, October 25, 1:30 p.m.,
Burroughs Hall

For the past two years, SUNY Ulster has collaborated with students from Universidad de la Salle NoroEste from Obregon, Mexico. For a week in October, the students get a chance to meet face-to-face and work on presentations of their projects. This year, we open the doors to the SUNY Ulster community and the public to celebrate these student collaborations and to listen to their presentations.

Library Writers Series: Bruce Littlefield

Thursday, November 8, 1:15 p.m.,
College Lounge

Bruce Littlefield is a best-selling author, lifestyle expert, and an arbiter of American fun. He shares his passionate curiosity (and occasional mischievousness) through his books and TV appearances. Bruce has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC News, FOX News, MSNBC, The Rachael Ray Show, NPR, Sirius, and numerous other programs and publications.

Tropical Seas & First Forests – New York
400 Million Years Ago

Thursday, November 15, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,
College Lounge

A drive through the rocks of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains tells the history of New York long before the dinosaurs. Marine shells and coral reefs in the valley indicate an environment of shallow tropical seas. Fossil trees and strata of the Catskills record a history of some of Earth’s earliest forests and an Andes-scale mountain belt in New England. Time travel to a very different New York State with Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten of the New York State Museum. Part of the John Burroughs Natural Science Lecture Series.

Ernie Shaw: Form of Shadows

Friday, November 16 – Friday, December 14, Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Muroff Kotler Arts Gallery

Local resident Ernest Shaw will be exhibiting recent photography in his show, THE FORM OF SHADOWS. This exhibit is primarily focused on photography, a “new” medium in his 50 year career with sculpture, paintings, and drawings. The photographs integrate his lifelong concerns with mortality, the nature of the “self” and shadow, and the relentless search for integration and wholeness, particularly in the consequences of action and gestures, of moments and eons. These themes resonate with Shaw’s other career as psychiatrist, psychotherapist and long-time teacher of mindfulness meditation practices.

Holiday Concert Series

WIND ENSEMBLE & PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Tuesday, November 27, 7:30 p.m.

HONORS RECITAL
Friday, November 30, 3:00 p.m.

STRING ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Monday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY BAND & JAZZ ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.

CHORAL CONCERT & GUITAR ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Thursday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.

To see more of our events, visit our Calendar of Events page or pick up one of our special events brochures located around campus!

Get Involved Outside of the Classroom

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 by SUNYUlster

You’ve probably gotten used to life as a college student, but by now you may be looking for more ways to expand your horizons and get the full college experience. Even though Ulster doesn’t have students living on campus, we still have a great campus culture and many ways to get involved! Here are just a few:

Join a Club

SUNY Ulster offers many clubs for students to take part in. There are major-related clubs like Biology, Art, and Human Services, which are often open to students outside of the majors as well, and there are interest-related clubs like Multicultural, FOCUS, and Writing which are open to all students. Learn more about what each club does and consider attending a meeting or two!

Get an On-Campus Job or Consider Volunteering

There are many opportunities on campus for employment, which not only help you get better acquainted with the college and students, staff, and faculty, but also help you earn a bit on the side to help fund your college career. If the department you’d like to work in doesn’t have any openings, you can also consider volunteering to get involved. Some departments, such as Theatre, can always use extra help when it comes to putting on productions. Volunteering gets you involved and meeting new people, looks great on a resume, and could lead to employment in the department down the road depending on the situation. Talk to Career Services for more information, located in VAN 119, either in person or via email at careerservices@sunyulster.edu.

Attend Events

There are many activities going on around campus throughout the year! There are social events like the annual Spring Carnival, game days, and talent shows, and there are also informative and interesting events like concerts, discussions, and more that take place throughout the year. Keep an eye on the campus spotlight in the portal, our social media profiles, and the spring and fall events fliers located around campus to find out what activities and events are coming up.

Become a Student Leader/Ambassador

Students can become Student Admissions Ambassadors, Campus Connect Leaders, or members of the Student Government Organization if they want to take a leadership role or share and improve their campus experiences. Student Admissions Ambassadors share their personal experiences as SUNY Ulster students with prospective students at events, and their activities include volunteering at Admissions events, assisting at local college fairs, and participating in Open House. Campus Connect Leaders help run Campus Connect and assist new students with learning about the campus. SGO officers help plan and run student events and listen to the needs of students to make a more enjoyable campus experience for all. All of these are great options for getting to know the school and other students!

Don’t Just Attend Class and Run

The most important thing you can do if you’re looking for new opportunities and new friends is to hang out on campus outside of classes. Many things happen in the cafeteria and around campus that you only discover if you take the time to stick around and see what’s happening.

Give a few of these opportunities a shot, or just hang around campus for an extra hour or two each week. You never know who you’ll meet or what might happen!

SUNY Ulster Students Go International with COIL

August 21, 2018August 21, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Here at SUNY Ulster, we have several courses hosting COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects. Students can sign up for these classes and learn to communicate within collaborative teams, which pair a SUNY Ulster team with a team from a college in another country. COIL courses give Ulster students the opportunity to learn from another culture, which is increasingly important in today’s global market.

I didn’t know anything about the COIL program until I took an entrepreneurship class during the Spring 2018 semester. I was already excited to learn about the different aspects of starting and running a business when I discovered that our class would be participating in a COIL project. Our professor, Dr. Mindy Kole, explained that our class would be working with students from the Netherlands. I was excited, but I had no idea how it was going to work. How would we work with students that far away? How would we meet? When would we meet? What would we do?

For a six week period, the class interacted in assigned groups with students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). First, Ulster students met the Dutch course’s teacher, Eva Haug, Professor and COIL Coordinator at AUAS. Dr. Kole assigned our class to look up interesting facts about the Netherlands. A meeting was set up using the Zoom video conferencing application via the internet. An overhead projector was also set up so the class could see and meet Professor Haug. Each of us had an opportunity to ask questions about the Netherlands. Professor Haug asked the Ulster class a number of questions about the United States. It was an exciting cultural exchange. We learned many new things about the Netherlands, and we were able to share our perspectives about our own culture. It was fun to discover the many differences and similarities.

During our Entrepreneurship COIL class project, we were separated into groups. Small groups of Ulster students were given two or three student partners in Amsterdam. We were assigned to reach out to these students using the mobile apps we already carry on our cell phones. Some students used Facebook Messenger, some used WhatsApp, and some used Skype. The class buzzed with conversation about the different mobile apps they preferred. We were also required to use our international dialing code to reach students in the Netherlands – something not usually done in the United States.

Our COIL project provided an opportunity for our class to build teamwork and communication skills. We were able to work with people from another culture and share our experiences. We used Facebook and WhatsApp to collaborate, ask questions, and send photos from our hometown. Dr. Kole and Professor Haug guided us every step of the way with project outlines and protocols to follow. My team project consisted of a report and PowerPoint presentation on social entrepreneurship, where the goal of a business is to make a profit while providing a benefit to society. It was fascinating to learn how the United States and the Netherlands approach this type of business model.

I highly recommend COIL courses. They allow students to build 21st century skills of communication, teamwork, and problem solving, all at no additional tuition cost to class participants. It is a great experience to put on a resume, and students also receive a COIL certificate upon completion of the course. We live in a time when we can communicate over vast distances with mobile apps and internet connections. Why not use these tools to learn and build relationships around the world? SUNY Ulster students should be the first to take advantage of this unique academic opportunity!

Joanna Munley is a first-year Business Accounting major at SUNY Ulster. She also serves as the Student Aide for the COIL/Academic Travel program.

Fun Free College Resources!

August 16, 2018 by SUNYUlster

overhead view of work table covered in laptops, tea cups, smartphones, pens, cords, and some hands typing

We’ve compiled a small group of free resources that can help to make your time in and outside of class that much more productive! Whether it be studying, staying organized, writing tools, or additional resources for parents we have a little bit of everything included here!

Studying:

Sometimes when you’ve been studying certain materials for an extended period of time you can begin to feel like you aren’t retaining information at a level you are satisfied with. Enter studying resources like SparkNotes.com, Quizlet.com, and Unstuck.com. These study assist websites are designed to help you develop study techniques, provide insights, and take practice quizzes. You can also take advantage of the MacDonald Dewitt Library for some on-campus peace and quiet.

Staying Organized:

Just like you don’t want to have to hunt through your backpack for important papers the same goes for your digital documents. Much of what you work that will be done in your classes will need to be saved and often submitted digitally. Digital saver resources include Google Drive, the free version of Dropbox.com, as well a project tracking resources such as Any.do.

Writing Tools:

If there is one thing you are going to be doing a lot of while in college it is writing. Exceptional writing resources are EnhanceMyVocabulary.com designed by college professors to help students advance their personal vocabularies. Grammarly is an app extension that can be added to your Google Chrome that “-automatically detects grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, and style mistakes in your writing.” Easybib.com is another online resource that can assist in creating bibliographic references as well as formatting in the proper citation writing style such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Don’t forget you can also visit the SUNY Ulster Writing Center for some 1-1 writing assistance.

Additional Resources For Parents and Students of Incoming Students:

Go College! Now has multiple resources for both entering students and parents! From preparing, paying, finding a mentor and beyond this site has the answers to many questions.

Have You Considered These 5 Reliable Degrees?

August 9, 2018July 31, 2018 by SUNYUlster

figure of male walking among library stacks

Reliable degrees at SUNY Ulster Community College.

When you begin exploring potential reliable degrees, it is important to consider a field that you are interested in working in, as well as one that is experiencing growth within its own respective industry!

There are many beneficial degrees offered here at SUNY Ulster, but in this particular article we will explore in more detail five of the most reliable degrees offered at SUNY Ulster.

(SUNY Ulster rated 5 out of 25 of the top New York State Community Colleges.)

Public Safety and Criminal Justice:

The Criminal Justice program at SUNY Ulster is designed to offer an educational experience for criminal justice practitioners, individuals seeking employment in the field, and concerned citizens wishing to become better informed about the administration of justice. Various job positions in the criminal justice field consistently have openings, making it one of the most reliable degrees offered at SUNY Ulster!

SUNY Ulster Offers: Criminal Justice (AS), Criminal Justice (AAS), and Police Basic Training (Certificate)

Paralegal:

The Individual Studies Paralegal degree at SUNY Ulster is a jointly registered program with Marist College. Here you can study in a program that is designed to prepare students for employment and transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. Graduates of this program at SUNY Ulster earn an Associate in Science in Individual Studies and a Paralegal Certificate from Marist.

SUNY Ulster Offers: Individual Studies/Paralegal (AS).

Technology:

Technology is something we use every day, so it should come as no surprise that the technology field is rapidly growing! If you decide to study technology at SUNY Ulster you will have the opportunity to potentially strengthen your computer science, programming, designing skills set, and beyond. Specific programs require various curriculum levels of mathematics, manufacturing processes, computers, drafting/blueprint reading, communication skills, and liberal arts!

SUNY Ulster Offers: C omputer Game Design (Credential),Computer Science AS,Computer Science Online AS,Green Building Maintenance & Management AAS,Industrial Technology: Drafting & Design AS,Industrial Technology: Drafting & Design AAS,Manufacturing Technology (Certificate),Mobile Application Developer (Credential),Network Administrator AAS,Network Administrator (Certificate),Web Application Developer (Credential).

Engineering:

Engineering at SUNY Ulster provides the basic preparation for students who plan to continue studying engineering at a four-year college. If you plan to attend you should keep in mind that applicants should have above-average grades in high school mathematics and chemistry. High school physics is also recommended for incoming students.

SUNY Ulster Offers: Engineering Science AS, Aeronautical, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical & Nuclear, Chemical, Computer, Electrical.

Technology and Engineering students can enjoy learning in state of the art classrooms as a part of the Pfeiffer Technology and Innovation Lab expansion.

You Can Learn More Here: http://blog.sunyulster.edu/the-pfeiffer-technology-lab-at-suny-ulster/

Nursing:

The Nursing program at SUNY Ulster has a long history of graduating some of the best nurses in the area! The Nursing program can be completed in two academic years or extended and pursued on a part-time basis. Nursing courses, however, must be taken consecutively and it is recommended that they are taken without interruption. Recently, SUNY Ulster and Empire State College announced that they would be partnering up to help allow Registered Nurses (R.N.) to secure their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in the Hudson Valley. A reliable degree with many growing opportunities locally and nationally.

You Can Learn More Here: http://www.sunyulster.edu/academics/credit_programs/nursing-rn-bsn.php

SUNY Ulster Offers: Nursing (AS), Nursing (R.N. to B.S.).

Why You Absolutely Should Attend Campus Connect!

August 8, 2018July 26, 2018 by SUNYUlster

two smiling students with SUNY Ulster folder

Welcome to SUNY Ulster!

If you’ve been accepted to SUNY Ulster and are now enrolled, you may be thinking “Whats next?” By now you have probably received your checklist of things the college requires from you before you start classes. As the first day of the semester approaches you probably have a lot more questions about what you need to fill out, submit, and when you should do so. That’s where Campus Connect comes in!

What is Campus Connect?

Campus Connect is an opportunity for students to meet our faculty and soon-to-be classmates, learn more about your major, pick up your class schedule, and explore our beautiful campus! The purpose of this event is to help answer students’ questions, give them insight about campus life, and allow students to establish themselves for academic success! As a mandatory event, Campus Connect holds great importance in launching your college career.

What Kind of Opportunities are at Camps Connect?

Campus Connect is the perfect opportunity for you as a student to get a guided tour of your campus, take part in an in-person orientation, as well as a chance for you to learn more in-depth about internships, academic travel, the potential of your major, and how advisement will help YOU succeed.

Who Will You Meet?

This event allows you to meet and mingle with other students, student leaders, and faculty. The connections you may make during this event may even lead to internships, employment opportunities, and valuable mentorships. College is a lot of learning, and expanding your social circle, and forming lifelong friendships!

To register for upcoming Campus Connect dates click here: https://www.sunyulster.edu/admissions/info/campus_connect

Have Any Questions?

campusconnect@sunyulster.edu

845-688-6042

Professor Iain Machell’s Art is on Display this Summer!

July 25, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Our Fine Arts Program Coordinator and Professor, Iain Machell, has artwork on display at several galleries this summer!

Machell’s stone sculpture, “Quarries,” is currently on display at the Unison Arts Center for the “What’s Next?” outdoor sculpture garden. “What’s Next?” features sculptures and events by thirty-five artists living in the Northeast who represent an emerging art movement known as Eco Materialism. This outdoor exhibition has several connections to SUNY Ulster; it is the initiative of Michael Asbill, a former SUNY Ulster adjunct, and three of the students working on the project are Ulster Fine Arts alums! For more information on the showing, visit https://www.unisonarts.org/event/sculpture-garden-opening/.

Machell will have several art showings in Saugerties over the next month, including an open studio in the Saugerties Artists Studio Tour. His studio in Malden-on-Hudson will be open to the public on August 11^th and 12^th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be an exhibition of tour artists at Kiersted House Barn in Saugerties on July 28^th and 29^th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as one at Opus 40 in Saugerties from August 11^th to September 10^th, with an opening reception on August 10^th at 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Saugerties Artists Tour, visit http://saugertiesarttour.org.

Machell has a drawing included in “The River Flows Both Ways” at the Hastings Village Hall Gallery, sponsored by the Hastings Village Arts Commission and Newington-Cropsey Foundation in Hastings-on-Hudson from September 1^st to November 3^rd, with an opening reception on September 6^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/hastingsartscommission/.

Be sure to check out Iain Machell’s artwork when you’re in these areas over the summer! Check out his website at www.iainmachell.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/iainmachellstudio/ for more of his art and gallery news.

5 Fun Ways to Maintain Your Mental Strength This Summer!

August 8, 2018July 19, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Three lawn chairs in a row on a beach with the ocean in the distance.

As the hazy lazy days of summer approach a college student such as yourself may have fallen into a not so productive routine. You may have adopted an unsteady sleep schedule, a habit of not keeping up with news and advancements in the industry that you are studying, as well as watching maybe one (or 5) too many episodes of your latest Netflix binge.

But alas the sharpness of your mind is not completely lost! We have compiled a list of “Five Fun Ways to Maintain Your Mental Strength This Summer”so that you may have a chance at entering into the fall semester knowing maybe even more than you did before the end of the last semester.

Volunteering:

Two women pose together for a photo wearing shirt that read "Volunteer" . — Photo: rawpixel via Upslash.com

Volunteering is a great way to no only lend a helping hand in your community, but make potential employment connections, as well add true substance to your resume! You may consider volunteering at a local nursing home/rehabilitation center working with the elderly, spending some time in a local soup kitchen, joining an environmental clean-up group, as well working with animals in a shelter, or helping kids!

Listen to a Book or Podcast:

This time spent outside of the classroom does not mean that your quest for knowledge has to a stop. Summer provides an awesome opportunity for you to listen to a new book or podcast! The true perks of being able to “read” while on a walk, while you clean, or during the commute to your vacation destination is incredibly valuable. Take advantage of this time where you can choose what you want to “read” before it is time to dive back in to your mandatory textbooks reading!

Go Outside/ Get Active:

Young man standing on top of a mountain hands up in the air. — Photo by Jake Ingle via Unsplash.com

This tip may seem unrelated- but hear me out! The best part of the summer (in my personal opinion) is the ability to get outside and explore! Getting active is a great way to give your mind a chance to absorb and potentially even apply all that it has learned during the past semester. Relieve yourself of stress- explore, learn, think, and be free!

Work on your Resume:

Time outside of the classroom is the perfect chance for you to begin putting together, or sprucing up your existing resume. You never know when an internship or job prospect may present itself and you want to be prepared to apply! Add any skills or certifications you have earned over the past few semester, as well as any volunteer and campus club activities you have been involved in!

Need some tips for writing a resume? Check out our blog post : https://wp.me/p5odWC-7O

Binge a Netflix Documentaries:

Woman in a room on a laptop — Victoria Heath via Upsplash.com

If you absolutely feel the need to chill and watch Netflix (or whatever your preferred streaming service is) why not have it be something that will make you smarter? As of April 2018 there were 1402 movies in Netflix US library. Pick something you know a little about, or a topic that you have not yet explored and expand your horizons!

Go to SUNY Ulster Tuition-Free with the Excelsior Scholarship!

July 10, 2019July 6, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Text composition saying Free SUNY tuition

You may have heard of the Excelsior Scholarship, but what exactly is it? Do you qualify? What does it cover? Read on to find the answers to these questions, and visit www.sunyulster.edu/excelsior to learn even more!

What is the Excelsior Scholarship?

The Excelsior Scholarship is a scholarship that, combined with other financial aid programs, allows New York students in families making less than $125,000 a year the opportunity to go to SUNY colleges for free.

What is covered by the Excelsior Scholarship?

The Excelsior Scholarship covers the tuition fee for a college education. It does not cover textbooks, housing, or any other expenses associated with being a college student.

How do I know if I qualify?

New York residents (defined as having resided in New York State for 1 year or longer) who are U.S. citizens in a family making less than $125,000 a year in their combined family household adjusted gross income and who hold a U.S. high school diploma or high school equivalency are eligible. Current college students are also eligible depending on their situation; see links at the bottom for specific details.

So what’s the catch?

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship must fulfill certain requirements during their time in and immediately following college. They must attend college full-time (30 or more credits a year) for each academic year they receive the scholarship. They must pass all classes each academic year, as well as maintain GPA requirements for any other financial aid they receive in addition to Excelsior. After graduating, recipients are required to live in New York for the same number of years they received the scholarship (for example, an Ulster student who graduates in May 2020 and received the Excelsior Scholarship in 2018-19 and 2019-20 must live in New York until 2022). If the student does not live in New York for the duration following graduation that they received the scholarship for, the scholarship becomes a no-interest loan that must be repaid.

Where can I learn more and apply?

More information is available at www.sunyulster.edu/excelsior and www.suny.edu/excelsior. You can apply online at www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior.

An Excelsior Scholarship recipient tells his story:

Expanded Scholarships Now Available for New Paltz Residents!

June 20, 2018 by SUNYUlster

The Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. is now offering expanded scholarships for New Paltz residents attending SUNY Ulster for the fall 2018 semester. We encourage recent high school graduates and adult learners from New Paltz to apply! Scholarships range from $2,000 annually to a fully paid tuition based on academic merit and/or financial need.

One of the scholarships available for fall enrollment for all New Paltz residents is the Frank G. Elliot Scholarship. This scholarship is available for eligible residents of the Town of New Paltz. There is $30,000 in scholarship funding available for the upcoming academic year, and there is a chance to renew for multiple years of study at SUNY Ulster.

The other expanded scholarship available is the George Devine Future of New Paltz Scholarship. This awards $2,000 annually to residents of the Town of New Paltz. Any student who graduated from New Paltz High School is also eligible.

The deadline for priority consideration for these scholarships is July 18, 2018, but scholarship applications are accepted all year on a rolling basis. New Paltz residents still have time to enroll at SUNY Ulster for the fall 2018 semester and apply for these scholarships. All majors and courses of study are eligible. Students can be day, evening, or online students.

To learn more and get started, contact the Enrollment Center by phone at 845-687-5022 or by email at admissions@sunyulster.edu.