Campus Life

New Virtual Reality Training System just launched at SUNY Ulster. 

by
CRJ police student and instructor by a computer

An interactive first responder training system that uses virtual reality to simulate situations in which students can practice de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques was just launched at SUNY Ulster. 

The simulator allows students to experience real-life police and mental health situations, making them better prepared for their careers. The equipment is programmed for a wide variety of conditions in which students can gain experience in de-escalating potentially violent situations, crisis and mental illness interventions, communication-building, emergency operations, suicidal persons, ambushes, and more. 

As the country and our region are calling on more thoughtful police and mental health practices, this simulator will provide much-needed practice for students, giving them experience even before beginning their careers.

The Criminal Justice fund in Memory of William J. and Elizabeth R. Weishaupt, Sr. was founded in March of 2022 at Ulster Community College Foundation. The Weishaupts placed great emphasis on education and believed in the availability of higher education to our local community. The Weishaupt’s four sons chose to go into public service in law enforcement on both local and federal levels so the desire to use the funds towards excellence in Police Academy training was of interest to them. 

The virtual reality simulator is installed and newly in use at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster on Mary’s St. with the goal it provides life-altering positive outcomes for our students and community members by elevating the public perception of and confidence in our law enforcement and mental health professionals.

 

Student and Instructor watching virtual reality training on screen

10 Tips from a 2nd Year Student That I Wished I Knew as a First Year

by
financial aid officer helps student with FAFSA
  1. Create a good rapport with your professors; it makes classes more enjoyable that way.

  2. The website you use for your assignments may take a bit to learn, but once you do it a few times it becomes easier to navigate.

  3. Ask your professors about clubs. There might be a few that are not in session but could start up again if it gains enough following.

  4. Your professors are here to help so don’t be afraid to email them questions. It can be a problem when professors don’t email back, if that happens don’t be afraid to speak out and ask other professors for help.

  5. If you have a scholarship like the College Scholar’s Scholarship it may not take effect and pay for your tuition until after you start classes. Keep up to date with its processing but know that you might miss the tuition due date.

  6. Don’t be afraid to talk to your fellow classmates, even if they might not be the same age as you.

  7. Take the class that you’re on the edge about taking because even if you don’t like it you will ultimately learn something from that experience.

  8. Everyone here regardless of what department they’re in will try and help you to the best of their ability –  whether they can help you directly or point you to the correct department.

  9. There is a place called the “Zen Den” where students can relax in a calm environment with access to amenities provided there.

  10. Put the public safety office’s phone number on your phone. This campus is pretty safe and I have never had a problem. This is just in case something ever did happen, you’ll have a direct line to help. 

ALISON BUCKLEY, ED.D. NAMED SUNY ULSTER PRESIDENT

by
Portrait photo of Dr. Alison Buckley

ALISON BUCKLEY, ED.D. NAMED SUNY ULSTER PRESIDENT

The SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees has named Alison Buckley, Ed.D. as the College’s seventh president, according to Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alan Lomita.  The announcement follows confirmation by the State University of New York Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting held today.  Buckley will assume the helm of the 59 year-old college after Dr. Alan P. Roberts retires at the end of July after seven years as president. During Roberts’ tenure, he established the President’s Challenge Scholarship program with the College’s Foundation, and due to the many contributions of faculty and staff, SUNY Ulster was named the #1 Community College in New York State for two consecutive years in a row (2020 and 2021) by BestColleges.com.

Buckley is currently Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Connecticut State Community Colleges in New Britain, CT. In this role, she is responsible for establishing the strategic enrollment management direction for the state’s community colleges and also leads the reform efforts for student affairs to ensure all community college students, regardless of location, have the support and resources needed to be successful.  She previously served as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD. During her tenure, Howard was consistently recognized for best practices in the field of enrollment management and had the strongest enrollment among Maryland’s community colleges.

Dr. Buckley earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, MA; a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park in College Park, MD; a Master of Philosophy in Women’s Studies from the University of Dublin, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland; a Master of Arts in History and a postgraduate certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware in Newark, DE; and a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and History from Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA.

Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and SUNY Ulster Vice Chair, Deborah Briggs says, “Dr. Buckley brings a focus on student success and a track record in enrollment management, with over 20 years of experience in both college and university settings in executive leadership, enrollment management, marketing, recruitment, and program and budget management, which is vital as we enter the next chapter of SUNY Ulster’s commitment to serving students and the community.”

“Dr. Buckley’s expertise comes at a critically important time in the landscape of community colleges, which are rapidly evolving due to the unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19 abound with many opportunities to offer new and traditional programs that provide career, transfer, and economic development opportunities to the region,” said Chairman of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees, Alan Lomita.

“Dr. Buckley has incredible leadership qualities and an unwavering belief in the importance of community colleges and how they can propel students to further educational opportunities and successful careers,” said Interim Chancellor Stanley. “We trust Dr. Buckley will apply her knowledge and aptitude to her presidency and strive to push equity and inclusion efforts in all decision-making at SUNY Ulster. Many thanks to SUNY Ulster’s Board of Trustees and the search committee for bringing forth such a stellar candidate and to President Alan Roberts for his dedicated service to the SUNY Ulster community since 2015.”

Incoming President Dr. Buckley said, “Community colleges are well-positioned to set students on a trajectory for higher education, and to pursue their goals and that is why I am excited to join SUNY Ulster as their next president. I share the goals of the SUNY Ulster community to provide a safe and welcoming academic experience and will focus on ensuring students enroll and stay on track to get their college education. I look forward to working with the campus’s faculty and staff to create educational opportunities for our students and will look to mitigate any barriers in their path. My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor Stanley, and the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees for this opportunity.”

Lomita said the selection of Buckley concluded a six-month search process conducted by a search committee comprised of the college’s students, staff, faculty, community leaders, and board members, through the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), led by Julie Golder, J.D., Vice President of Search Services. The committee recommended four finalists who visited the college in April through a series of in-person and virtual sessions.  The college’s board of Trustees considered feedback from these sessions when making the final selection, Lomita said.

“On behalf of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees, I commend the College community for their participation in the presidential forums.  All feedback was reviewed and greatly valued as part of the process,” Lomita said.  Deborah Briggs, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and Vice Chair of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees, said, “The search committee did an outstanding job of understanding the level of leadership the college needs and selecting appropriate candidates to consider further.  They set high standards, asked insightful questions, and worked collaboratively to enrich the process.  I’m very grateful for everyone’s time, dedication, and commitment to SUNY Ulster.”

 ###

Study Tips for Finals: 10 Ways to Ace your Exams

by
student studying
  1. Avoid the Urge to Procrastinate
    This Natural tendency seems to define the college experience with some students even boasting about their ability to survive all-nighters. In reality, however, procrastination is not cause for celebration or even lighthearted joking. This harmful practice stresses students out and almost always leads to worse scores.
  2. Get Plenty of Sleep
    At first glance, sleep might not seem like the most important of the many study tips for finals. In reality, however, all that prep work will do little good if it’s not accompanied by plenty of rest. The need for sleep underscores the importance of avoiding procrastination.
  3. Create a Study-Oriented Space
    Environment matters. You might find it difficult to focus if your space is cluttered or chock full of distracting devices. If possible, set up a nook exclusively dedicated to studying. This area should include a desk, an ergonomic chair, quality lighting, and any materials you might require during your study session.
  4. Level Up Your Playlist
    The right music can make your study session more enjoyable and more effective. Several studies highlight the value of classical music in particular.
  5. Ditch Distracting Devices
    In today’s digital world, it’s tough to go even a few minutes without glancing at our smartphones. Unfortunately, this dependence can cause big problems when it’s time to buckle down and study. For best results, commit to turning your phone off for at least an hour and placing it in a space as far from your desk as possible.
  6. Experiment with a Variety of Study Tactics
    No one study method works equally well for everyone. Some people learn best from reading notes out loud, while others benefit from flashcards or highlighters. Experiment with several approaches until you find a strategy that best addresses your unique needs.
  7. Create Sample Test Questions
    This method provides a variety of benefits. First, it forces you to boil down weeks of learning into a few basic takeaways. Writing sample questions also allows you to think like an instructor. This thought process may benefit you when the actual exam arrives.
  8. Get Involved in a Study Group
    It’s never too late to start a study group. While these gatherings are most beneficial if they take place throughout the entire course of the semester, they can provide plenty of value in the last few days before finals.
  9. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
    Don’t hesitate to seek help from your instructors. Office hours exist for a reason, and yet far too many students are too intimidated to chat up those in the best position to help. SUNY Ulster also has tutoring in almost all subjects. Call 845-687-5039 or email tutoring@sunyulster.edu to make an appointment.
  10. Keep the Big picture in Mind
    Final exams aren’t designed to torture stressed-out students. If you take exam prep seriously, you’ll come away with a richer understanding of key concepts, which in turn, will ensure that you retain the knowledge you’ve worked so hard to gain. As you move forward with upper-level courses, graduate school, or your eventual career, you’ll thank yourself for putting in the effort. 

Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day

by
Star of David symbol next to lit candles

Tonight (April 27) marks the beginning of Yom HaShoah, a day to commemorate and remember the Holocaust, its victims, and its survivors. April is also Genocide Awareness Month. 

During this time, we not only reflect on the horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on others but on the goodness that people are also capable of and the resilience of survivors to build new lives.

A few weeks ago, President Biden declared April 24 – May 1, 2022, as a week of observance of the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust and called upon the people of the United States to observe this week to remember victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

Here is his full proclamation: 

In addition, there are several people on campus who are children of Holocaust survivors and whose parents were interviewed for Steven Spielberg’s testimony project for the Shoah foundation. 

The story of  Buena Alcalay Pearlman, can be found on YouTube

Buena Alcalay Pearlman
Buena Alcalay Pearlman

The stories of  Lola & Walter Kaufman can be found found on Google. 

Lola and Walter Kaufman
Lola and Walter Kaufman

There have been other genocides that have occurred in recent history against Armenians, Rwandans, Cambodians, and Bosnians. And, of course, in Ukraine today. 

Here’s to hoping that “Never Again” can become the goal of all humankind.

Diversity logo SUNY Ulster (multi-colored Us)

 

SUNY Ulster Fine Art and Fashion Design Student Exhibition May 6 – May 21

by
three fashion drawing figures and three illustrated figures

April 26, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – Students from the Fine Art/Visual Art and Fashion Design programs of SUNY Ulster exhibit their work in the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery and College Lounge. The opening reception is on May 6 from 4 to 7 pm. Attendees can come at 4 pm to celebrate with the Fine Art students in the Gallery and then take a short walk down the hall to see the Fashion Design work in the College Lounge at 5 pm.

Fine Art students participating in this exhibit include Meleah Danner, Samuel Goldberg, Angela Mayer, Margaret Priest, Francis Sargenti, Gregory Renner, Colin Secore, Olivia Schmidt, Megan Sorbellini, Darryl Underwood, Lorelei Siegel, and Kylie Williams.  They will be exhibiting work in a variety of media.

The Fashion Design exhibit will showcase the work of first and second-year students. This exhibition is the final presentation of second-year students whose garments will be worn on live models and mannequins. Their portfolios of apparel illustrations and computer-aided design will also be on display. Work from first-year students will include blouse and skirt outfits. Second-year students include M.E. Baker, Cali Kircher, Sierra Madison, and Ariel Pazer. First-year students include Brooke-Lynn Caso, Sarah Connolly, Mikyla Hough, Vera Hrab, Sophie McCarthy, Stephanie McClure, Janyia McNabb, Monserrat Medina, Deja Squire, and Anna Thomas.

The Fine Arts/Visual Arts and Fashion Design programs are two-year foundation programs that prepare students for both transfer to a four-year college as a junior or entry into the job market. While at SUNY Ulster, students will have the opportunity to connect with area artists and art organizations through internships, an active Fine Arts Club, community exhibition opportunities, and the College’s thriving teaching gallery.

Graduates of SUNY Ulster’s art programs have consistently transferred to some of the best art colleges in the nation including Pratt Institute, SVA, SUNY New Paltz, Fashion Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art & Design, Otis School of Design, and Marist College.

For more information on this exhibit or art programs at SUNY Ulster, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu or Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu.

COVID screeners will be on-site to conduct a brief health screening and issue wristbands for all visitors.  Additionally, SUNY Ulster has moved to a masks-optional policy for all vaccinated employees, staff, and visitors. Visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination at check-in. Those without proof of vaccination will be required to wear a mask while indoors.  Face masks are still encouraged to be worn in any setting where social distancing of three feet cannot be maintained.  SUNY Ulster fully supports all members of our community who wish to continue wearing masks to protect themselves, dependents at home, or for various reasons.

 

###

Spring Concerts on April 27 and May 5, 2022

by
SUNY Ulster Press Release

April 22, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will hold its Spring Concerts on April 27 and May 5 in the Quimby Theater. Both concerts begin at 7:30 pm. The concerts are free and open to the public.

The April 27 concert will feature the SUNY Ulster Community Band, Brass Choir, and Woodwind Choir, Victor Izzo, director. The program includes three major Wind Band works directed by special Guest Conductor, Dr. Adam Fontant, director of Ensembles at SUNY New Paltz:

  • Downtown Divertimento by Johan de Meij
  • Vientos y Tangos by Michael Fanfolfi
  • Shine by Julie Giroux

The Brass Choir will perform Symphony No. 1 for Brass by Brian Balmages with Guest Conductor, Adam Kuliszewski.

The Woodwind Choir will perform works by Telemann and Debussy.

On May 5, the SUNY Ulster Chorus directed by Janet Gehres and accompanied by Edward Leavitt will open with “Viva la Musica” (Long Live Music) and continue with an eclectic program of music from the Renaissance, the Beatles, Ukraine, Americana, and music based on the poetry of Langston Hughes.

The SUNY Ulster Mixed Instrument Ensemble, directed and arranged by Greg Dinger will perform works by Carcassi, Mozart, and Lennon/McCartney arranged for flute, alto sax, guitar, piano, and electric bass.

In addition, winners of the Best Solo Performances from the Spring 22 Music Department’s convocation Series will be announced.

For more information and questions, email gehresj@sunyulster.edu.

COVID screeners will be on-site to conduct a brief health screening and issue wristbands for all visitors.  Additionally, SUNY Ulster has moved to a masks-optional policy for all vaccinated employees, staff, and visitors. Visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination at check-in. Those without proof of vaccination will be required to wear a mask while indoors.  Face masks are still encouraged to be worn in any setting where social distancing of three feet cannot be maintained.  SUNY Ulster fully supports all members of our community who wish to continue wearing masks to protect themselves, dependents at home, or for various reasons.

#     #     #

SUNY Ulster Presents a Virtual Event with Author, Erika Meitner

by
portrait of poet for Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum - Erika Meitner

 April 4, 2022 – Stone Ridge, NY – Registration is now open for the 2022 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum with poet, essayist, and social critic, Erika Meitner via Zoom on Tuesday, April 19 at 1:15 p.m.

Moderated by Rachael Pompeii, Instructor of English at SUNY Ulster, this virtual event will include Ms. Meitner reading from her work and an interview.

Erika Meitner is the winner of the 2018 National Jewish Book Award for Poetry and author of six books of poems: Useful Junk; Holy Moly Carry Me; Inventory at the All-Night Drugstore; Makeshift Instructions for Vigilant Girls; and Ideal Cities, which was a 2009 National Poetry series winner; and Copia. Her poetry and prose have been widely anthologized.

Born and raised in Queens and Long Island, NY, Meitner is a first-generation American: her father is from Israel; her mother was born in a refugee camp in Germany, which is where her maternal grandparents settled after surviving the Holocaust. Meitner is currently a professor of English at Virginia Tech.

Sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, The Poetry Forum is an annual event that brings well-known and award-winning poets to SUNY Ulster for intimate question and answer sessions. In 2007, the program was renamed the Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum to honor the memory of Ellen Robbins (1952-2006) who was on the faculty at SUNY Ulster from 1994 until 2006, and Chair of the English department, 2002-2006.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Zoom information will be provided upon registration via a confirmation email. To learn more, contact Kari Mack by email at mackk@sunyulster.edu.

###

SUNY Ulster Celebrates Pi Day!

by
Professor Albertini at the blackboard

March 14 marks Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign pi which was founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw. March 14 was selected because the numeral date (3.14) represents the first three digits of pi and it also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday-the perfect pi-incidence.

One of the reasons Pi is special is because it’s involved in many common formulae, such as the area of a circle (Pi*r^3) and the value of a sphere (4/3 Pi*r^3). From an early age, we learn that for any circle with radius r and diameter d=2r, the circumference is Pi*d and the area is Pi*r^2.

Pi Day With Professor Jules Albertini

At SUNY Ulster, Pi Day is Professor Jules Albertini and his students’ favorite day. “All those that appreciate any level of mathematics and science love the number Pi. Even though, no matter how hard we try, we can only ‘taste’ a finite piece of it. I am so happy that our culture celebrates such a useful and mysterious number (even with the constant irrational behavior!), says Professor Albertini. Have fun watching Jules on Pi Day!

Fun Ways to Celebrate Pi Day

  • Eat Pi Foods: A celebration without food is not a celebration. On this day, have students eat foods that start with “Pi”. Pizza and pineapples, or pineapples on the top of the pizza are other examples of Pi foods.
  • Bake Pies: Have students bake pies in the shape of the pi symbol. If you are not much of a baker, don’t worry. An ugly pie can still be an edible pie. A few ideas include mini pi-shaped pies, pi-shaped turnovers, and baking a pizza pie with pepperoni in the shape of the pie symbol.
  • Classroom Pi Day Workout: After consuming all that Pi-shaped food, a workout to burn off some calories may not be a bad idea. So start with the number three and work your way through the digits of Pi.
  • Pi Day Scavenger Hunt: Have a scavenger hunt by hiding Pi-related clues around the school and allowing students to search for them. Clues can be 3 markers, 1 notebook, 4 folders.
  • The Form of Pi: Have the students line up outside in a field or oval. The students should form the Pi symbol. Take an overhead of it. This can be a great Pi day event.
  • Pi Contests: Hold a relay race that requires students to run from station to station. In order to proceed, they must answer a piece of Pi trivia. Another idea is to have a contest to see how many words can be made that start with ‘Pi’. The winner can take home an actual pie.
  • Hold a Pi Day Run: It’s a great way to get your community involved in the celebration. Be sure that the run is 3.14 miles in that there is a prize for the winner. Prizes can include a few pies and a medal of some sort that represents Pi day.

How Did We Come to Celebrate Pi Day?

In 1988, the earliest known or large-scale celebration of Pi Day was organized by Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium where Shaw worked as a physicist, with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, then consuming fruit pies. And, the Exploratorium continues to hold Pi Day celebrations.

On March 12, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution (111 H. Res. 224), recognizing March 14, 2009, as National Pi Day.

The entire month of March 2014 (3/14) was observed by some as ‘Pi Month’. In 2015, March 14 was celebrated as “Super Pi Day”. It had special significance as the date is written as 3/14/15 in month/day/year format. At 9;26;53, the date and time together represented the first 10 digits of Pi, and later that second Pi instant represented all of Pi digits.

Go eat some Pi today!

 

 

 

SUNY Ulster Holds On-Campus Prospective Students Day December  4

by
Student in Library with Text Overlay saying: Perspective Students Day

November 10, 2021 – Stone Ridge, NY – High school students and their support systems who want to learn more about the value of a community college education and the SUNY Ulster admissions process can register for Prospective Students Day. The event will take place on Saturday, December 4 starting at 9 a.m. on the Stone Ridge Campus.

The program for this event begins in Quimby Theater located in Vanderlyn Hall and will include:

  • An introduction to the SUNY Ulster campus and the admissions process
  • An overview of academic programs and college services including scholarships, financial   aid, and transferring to a four-year college
  • A Start Here, Go Far panel consisting of current students and alumni providing their college experience and perspective
  • A guided campus tour given by Student Admissions Ambassadors who will share experiences about campus life

All participants will receive a SUNY Ulster swag bag filled with helpful resources. There will also be the opportunity to schedule an individual follow-up appointment with a SUNY Ulster admissions representative to help guide students and answer questions.

Registration is required and can be accessed at sunyulster.edu/visit. For more information, call (845) 687-5022. Masks are required.

###