Campus Life Archives - Page 13 of 16

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!

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

The Value of Attending Open House

April 23, 2019April 17, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Prospective students looking at materials during Open House

If you’re a high school or homeschooled student thinking about college, you are probably wondering where to begin your search. While you have to start with finding a college, the next step, naturally, is visiting it! There are many reasons to do this. I recommend visiting the college at least twice before committing: once during an open house and again when it’s a regular school day for students. There are many reasons to attend an open house, including how you can:

Experience Campus Life

The importance of seeing the campus before committing to a college cannot be overstated. There’s something called campus culture that you can only see and feel when you’re at a school and interacting with the people there. For some colleges, the culture is fun and quirky, for others, rigorous and academic, and for some others, sports are the only thing that matters. Know which is the case, so you can tell if the college will be a good fit for you!

Meet the Faculty, Staff, and Fellow Students

Similar to campus culture, it’s important to find out what kind of people work and go to the school. Most colleges, like SUNY Ulster, have a diverse culture and community. However, if the college has a particular niche (say it is almost entirely filled with athletes or mostly filled with business students), it helps to know beforehand, so you can decide if that niche is right for you. It also helps to meet some people and establish relationships before classes begin. It makes you feel less alone on the first day!

Explore Majors and Careers

Many incoming college freshmen have no idea what they’re interested in studying. That’s fine! Attending an open house offers students the opportunity to see what majors are offered and what they can do for careers with those degrees.

Get Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisement

Possibly the biggest concern about college is how to fund it. Open houses have someone on staff who can help you find out how much college will cost for you, as well as how you can obtain financial aid and scholarships. They can also determine a rough estimate of how much financial aid you’ll receive.

Get Application Assistance

If you’re ready to apply, there are admissions officers on campus during an open house that can help you complete an application! This can be a great help when there are questions on the application that you’re not quite sure how to answer.

Attend Today!

SUNY Ulster is having its own Open House on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus, where you can experience all the things mentioned above and more! For more information and to reserve online go to: www.sunyulster.edu/visit.

10 Tips for Scholarship Success

December 20, 2017 by SUNYUlster

Woman at the 2016 SUNY Ulster scholarship ceremony holding her award and smiling

It’s now time to apply for scholarships here at SUNY Ulster! The Ulster Community College Foundation General Application is open for students to fill out, and doing so enters them into a pool where they can possibly be matched with one or more scholarships. Both on campus and off, there are many types of scholarships: academic scholarships, need-based (financial) scholarships, sports scholarships, club or member-based scholarships, and more. Here’s some tips for increasing your odds of getting one!

#1: Start ASAP and Apply Early

Many scholarships have early application deadlines, so don’t miss out on these opportunities. You can even apply for college scholarships before you’ve started college! SUNY Ulster has an application period every year in the winter for returning and graduating students and every summer for incoming freshmen.

#2: Search Locally

Don’t stop at just Ulster; look in your community, too! Local banks, grocery stores, clubs, businesses, organizations, and churches are all potential sources for community scholarships. Also check state-funded scholarships. States have lots of money to disperse when it comes to providing education.

#3: Read the Requirements

If you apply to a specific scholarship, make sure you are eligible right from the start, so you’re not wasting your time. Also, never pay to apply for a scholarship, since these are usually scams.

#4: Follow Instructions Carefully

Errors can quickly get your scholarship application denied. Proofread it. Have someone else proofread it as well. Double check your answers to make sure you completely and accurately responded to all questions.

#5: Neatly Presented, Neatly Packaged

If your scholarship application must be mailed, use certified mail or better yet, FedEx, making your application look as professional as possible.

#6: Communicate

Make sure the application is complete and correct. If you are not sure about something in the scholarship application, don’t hesitate to ask someone at the Foundation or whoever is in charge of scholarships where you are applying for one.

#7: Check for School Specific Scholarships

If you’re graduating, check with the college you would like to attend. Usually, there are many school-specific scholarships available. Some scholarships offered through the Ulster Community College Foundation specify a preferred transfer school, so be sure to include your plans in the application to better your chances of getting matched up with these scholarships. Earning scholarships based on a transfer college can also help you make your school choice when the time comes for your final decision.

#8: Be Active, Stay Active

Being in a sports team, club, or doing some type of community service will always better your chances of receiving a college scholarship. Numerous scholarships offered through the Foundation stress community involvement as a requirement.

#9: Maintain your GPA

Keep your grades up. A higher GPA will increase your eligibility for most scholarships, on top of increasing your chances of receiving funds through Financial Aid.

#10: Ask a Foundation Employee for Help

Visiting a Foundation employee in the Clinton 203 suite can help you learn more about traditional scholarships that might be available to you, as well as any aid or special scholarships that fall outside of those covered by the General Application, like Lights for Learning.

*****

Even if you don’t think your chances of getting a scholarship are likely, at least fill out the Ulster Community College Foundation General Scholarship Application; there is one for current students and prospective students. If you have any other questions about Ulster’s scholarships, contact the Foundation by emailing dvoraksg@sunyulster.edu, by phone at 845-687-5293, or stop by the offices in the Clinton 203 suite on campus.

Utilizing The SUNY Ulster Macdonald Dewitt Library.

December 1, 2017December 1, 2017 by SUNYUlster

Group of students doing homework together in the library

As final exam pressure begin to mount you may find yourself looking for a place to host a group study group, or rehearse a group presentation without disturbing your peers that may be seeking quiet. Did you know that right here on our SUNY Ulster campus there are rooms you can reserve as a student?

The Macdonald Dewitt LibraryMedia Room (DEW 017) has approximately 24 chairs, a computer, LCD projector, DVD, and VCR player. The projector image is large scale predicted to be “-around 8ft by 10 ft.” by Kari Mack the Director of Library Service. This room is the perfect place to practice any presentations, or group presentations that you and your peers may have.

At The Macdonald Dewitt Library There are 3 student group study rooms available to be booked: DEW101A – main level next to Circulation Desk, DEW012 – lower level near back exit, Mt View Room – second level adjacent to Catskill Mountain View Room. The Student Group Study Rooms have tables that comfortably seats about 6 people.

Reservations must be made at least 1 hour in advance. There is a 2 hour time limit for each reservation. Only one reservation may be made per day. When the room is not booked, it will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Dry erase markers and eraser available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Step-By-Step-Guide on How to Book a Library Room.

One you have logged on to your SUNY Ulster Portal you will first CLICK Library Resources.

Scroll Down to the sectioned titled Contact the Library and CLICK Book a Room in The Library. From here you can select either the Media Room or Student Study Group Room and CLICK your option.

From here you will be presented with a page that enables you to select the desired date on the calendar. Separate days require separate bookings. 3. Click ‘Continue’ and fill in the required fields. Select ‘Submit My Booking’. To cancel a reservation, use the link provided in your confirmation email.

For more information you can contact the Macdonald DeWitt Library.

Reference Desk: 845-687-5208

Circulation Desk: 845-687-5213

Fax: 845-687-5220

askref@sunyulster.edu

http://www.sunyulster.edu/library/contact.php

12 Tips for Organizing Your College Life

November 8, 2017 by SUNYUlster

Focused woman doing homework in the library

With finals approaching, there’s no better time than the present to get organized. Whether you’re new to college or a returning student, here are some great tips to help you succeed. Try them and find what works best for you!

Be motivated. When the going gets tough, it’s easy to lose track of why you’re putting so much time and effort into college. Keep a list of long-term goals to help you stay focused on what’s important. Tack it up somewhere where you will see it every day.
Keep a planner and/or a planner app. During the school year, using a planner to track classes, assignments, work, and social plans is extremely important. Planners are cheap and are available almost everywhere you can find calendars. If you’re more digitally inclined, there are many free apps and websites you can use that are a Google search away.
Save all your syllabi and keep them available. If your professor gives you a guide to what your entire semester is going to look like, don’t lose it. You can mark your syllabus with everything you need to remember. Gather all your syllabi together and enter important dates into your planner or calendar app.
Set a schedule and stick to it. Keep to-do lists updated every day. Try to keep the same wake-up and bedtimes every day of the week, even on the weekends and holidays, when there are no classes. This will help you stay on schedule consistently. Also, try to figure out what time of the day you are most productive, and optimize that time for productivity.
Be prepared for the day, before the day happens. When you’re ready for the day even before you wake up, the day tends to run much smoother. You’re less likely to forget important items you need for the day. Having your backpack stocked ahead of time with everything you need is a big time saver.
Tidy your living and work spaces. Think of the time you spend looking for something in the morning while getting ready to leave the house for the day. Having a clean desk is an excellent start. At the end of each day, get rid of clutter and put things where they belong. This simple nightly routine makes getting ready in the morning much less stressful.
Develop good note organization habits. Use a color code system, and give each class a color. Match all your binders and notebooks for that class to their color, so that they are easier to find and grab when you are on the go. Keep separate binders, folders, and/or notebooks for each of your classes.
Set work sessions and use a timer. This step will keep you from wandering into other tasks not coursework related.
Study and hang out in different areas. Work at a desk or in a library, and reserve your room or bed for hanging out and sleeping. Try not to study on the couch in front of the TV, as it’s easy to get distracted by your newest favorite Netflix show.
Spend time away from the screens in your life. Disconnect from the internet for a few hours a day. Unplugging is a healthy way to curb stress and keep yourself from wasting time. Consider limiting your social media use or cut the habit out altogether, as a quick scroll through your Instagram feed can quickly turn into a hour-long browse.
Remember college is only one piece of your life. If possible, try the 8/8/8 method for balancing your life. It’s a way to divide your time to be responsible and still relax. Try to sleep for eight hours a day, spend eight working, and eight hours for the rest of your life – time with friends, eating, etc.
Go easy on yourself. No one is perfect, and it can be incredibly difficult to stay on top of all your responsibilities. Do your best, but remember, everyone make mistakes. SUNY Ulster has lots of support services to help. And always remember the goal – graduation!

SUNY Ulster’s Campus Clubs

November 15, 2017October 11, 2017 by SUNYUlster

You’ve been here a while now, and you’ve probably adjusted to classes and college life, but you may not feel really connected to Ulster yet. You may also be struggling to meet new people outside of class. How do you fix this? Well, one easy way is to try one of our many active clubs here on campus! Clubs are organized and run by your fellow students, with help from a faculty advisor. Here is a preview of some of the many interesting clubs on campus:

BIOLOGY CLUB

The Biology Club often works with the Environmental Club to plan and take part in events. The clubs have held panels and events on topics such as the effects of chemical spraying on farms, on the environment, and on consumers. This semester, the club hopes to take part in community volunteering, volunteering on local farms, hosting a blood drive, and possibly holding a bake sale as a fundraiser for those affected by the hurricanes. They are also trying to find a museum or event to attend. Due to many overlapping interests, the environmental and biology club meet together in HAR 211 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Contact Nancy Decker at deckern@sunyulster.edu for more information.

BUSINESS CLUB

The SUNY Ulster Business Club presents an opportunity for students to experience and learn from various business-related activities. With speakers, club trips, and many club events, the Business Club can be a fun club for students pursuing a career in any field. Some of their past trips include a tour of YouTube studios and a tour of Wall Street. The meetings are held every Wednesday from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in HAS 208. For more information, contact Mindy Kole at kolem@sunyulster.edu.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLUB

In the past, the Criminal Justice Club has gone to NYC to the “Bodies” exhibit and to the NYPD museum. They have also had K9 officers and their partners come to school for a demonstrations. The Criminal Justice Club starts a charitable drive to help the less fortunate. They normally meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in HAR 118. For more information, contact Thomas D’Amicantonio at damicant@sunyulster.edu.

DRAMA CLUB

Members of the Drama Club use their meetings to produce student written work, work on improvisation, and play theatre games. Their writing and acting has been on display at a number of improv shows and student productions put on for the campus community. They meet on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. in the Vanderlyn Rehearsal Room. For more information, contact Stephen Balantzian at balantzs@sunyulster.edu.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

The Environmental Club focuses on educating the campus and surrounding community on environmental issues. They participate in community volunteer cleanup opportunities when possible, such as trail maintenance on I Love My Park Day, preparing the community garden with the Kingston YMCA Farm Project, and cleaning and restoring Kingston Point Beach. This work was recognized by SUNY’s 30 Days of Giving. They also raise money to donate to environmental groups and to preserve rain and cloud forests in areas considered to be most at risk of development. On campus, they have hosted events such as the film showing of “Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds” followed by a discussion panel, a talk by Larissa Walker on the importance of pollinators, and an Earth Day event in which they invited guest speakers and environmental groups. This semester, they will be hosting a forum on food security and the importance on getting food from our farms to the food pantries that need it. They meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in HAR 211. Contact Jennifer Costello at costellj@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FASHION CLUB

The Fashion Club promotes fashion awareness on campus and does fundraising events for field trips. In the past, they have made club t-shirts and planned fundraisers. They meet in the HAS 202 Sewing Room at 4:30 one Wednesday a month. Contact Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FOCUS

FOCUS (Fellowship Of Christian University Students) aims to encourage spiritual growth among the college community, create an atmosphere of studying the Scriptures, establish opportunities for community service both on and off campus, and equip students with skills and experiences that will further develop leadership skills. In the past, club members have sponsored a coffee house and passed out Final Exam Survival Pack goodie bags to the campus community. The club meets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2 p.m. in the Dining Hall, where they pray together and do a Bible study. Contact Dr. Hans Vought at voughth@sunyulster.edu for more information.

HUMAN SERVICES CLUB

The Human Services club puts their classwork into practice by helping those in need throughout the year. This year, they will be working in collaboration with the Nursing Club to do activities with older adults in a local nursing home. They also plan to help a soup kitchen prepare and serve meals on Thanksgiving Day and host a talent show in the spring. In the past, they have worked together to buy gifts for children who otherwise wouldn’t receive gifts on Christmas. The Human Services Club meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Hardenbergh 117a. Interested students can contact Vicky Burgh-Harris at burghhav@sunyulster.edu.

NURSING CLUB

The nursing club is very active on campus and the local community. Members have held health fairs, blood drives, holiday card signing, health walks, and collected and distributed food for the food pantry. They also run the Salvation Army holiday angel tree that pops up in Hardenbergh every Christmas. This year, they will be running a session of holiday arts and crafts at a local nursing home around Thanksgiving. They meet at 1 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the nursing lab. Nursing students interested in participating can contact Ellen Tangney at tangneye@sunyulster.edu.

SUAA

SUAA (SUNY Ulster Art Association) gives students the opportunity to develop personal work for their portfolios. Last year SUAA painted the mural in Vanderlyn outside of the Vice-President’s office. In the past, they have gone on a museum visit to Boston, made cards at the Woodstock School of Art, and visited the Storm King Art Center. They meet in VAN 261 at 1 p.m., typically on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. For more information, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

VET TECH CLUB

The Veterinary Technology Club’s primary goal is to help animals in the community. They have hosted pet owner education at SUNY Ulster, raised money for Kevlar vests for Kingston’s Police K-9 unit, donated new instruments to the UCSPCA, paid for students to attend continuing ed seminars by the NYS Association of Veterinary Technicians, and hosted internationally known speaker Temple Grandin in 2012. Students have also volunteered in a TNR program for feral cats with the UCSPCA and arranged rabies and microchip clinics held at SUNY Ulster. They won an award for Collegiate Philanthropy from the Mid-Hudson Fund Raising Professionals Chapter in 2011. The club meets every other Wednesday (when SGO doesn’t meet) in HAR 207 at 1:15 p.m. Interested students can contact Beth Alden at aldenb@sunyulster.edu or Sandy Wiltshire at wiltshis@sunyulster.edu.

WRITING CLUB

The Writing Club meets every week to share the creative writing of its members. They respond to prompts and bring in their own work for discussion and critique. Some members have published work workshopped at meetings. The club meets in DEW 104 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Interested students can contact Nicholas Haines at hainesn@sunyulster.edu.

Stories of SUNY Ulster — Marla Gruner: Family Woman, Educator, Library Scientist

June 20, 2018October 5, 2017 by John Motta

The Stories team recently got an opportunity to conduct an interview with SUNY Ulster’s own charismatic librarian: Marla Gruner. Invariably seated at the help desk, Marla is known for her pleasant helpfulness and the sagacity of her assistance. Entering her office, we are delighted to the smell of fresh coffee, photographs of her two adorable children, and a glowing presence ready to talk.

“I was an English major in college, and I realized there wasn’t a whole lot I could do with an English degree *Laughs*. So I thought, what are my options? I talked to my advisors and they were iffy about it, and I think I took a career quiz and found out that I could go on and get my masters in library science very easily, and I had also worked in a public library when I was in high school and I liked it! It’s not a thrilling story or anything, I was just fortunate enough to have a direct line to working in this field, sort of a straight path…Mostly it’s the people here that I like working with, there are a lot of energetic, fun people to work with. It’s a small community, and unfortunately a lot of people come here from disadvantaged circumstances, so I really enjoy being able to help them in any way; be it finding a book or navigating the site…I’m teaching at F.Y.E. this semester, so I feel like I’m really able to branch out, talk to people and meet more students — that’s one thing about the library is you don’t always necessarily get to know the students very well, you don’t see them as much as their professors might per se. I feel like this is a great opportunity to know more students better…So, yeah, I just really like the community college environment and feel, and with my job specifically, I’m able to do a lot of things in the library, whereas at a larger institution, there might be like ten librarians. So I get to do the job of ten *Smiles*, but in all seriousness it is wonderful and I enjoy it.”

Interesting Tidbit: When asked about the slow decline of the print book and nationally declining book circulation rates, Marla says she is not concerned. She envisions the library of the future as more of a meeting place and help center, as well as a massive digital database. Forever the optimist, Marla is as much a librarian as she is a friend to the campus at large. The next time you find yourself in the library, keep an eye out for Marla and her infectious smile!

50th Anniversary of Classes at the Stone Ridge Campus

November 22, 2017August 23, 2017 by SUNYUlster

September 2017 marks the 50th year we’ve held classes at our lovely Stone Ridge campus! While the buildings and classes have changed over the years, our students’ drive for success and our own commitment to Start Here, Go Far hasn’t.

A Bit of History

The Stone Ridge campus was selected from 28 sites in Ulster County. Located on 165 acres of former farmlands and fields donated by the Leggett and Davenport families, the area that was agreed upon still has the apple trees by the main entrance. The campus was officially dedicated on October 21, 1967, and the first four campus buildings included the Macdonald DeWitt Library, the Business Studies Building, the Science Building, and an all-purpose building. College offices were placed in the library. In addition to classrooms, the all-purpose building included a snack bar, book store, and student lounge. In 1972, Phase II of a campus development plan added the Senate Gym, Hardenburgh, Vanderlyn, and Algonquin buildings to campus. In 1987, SUNY Ulster’s Children’s Center opened, providing childcare for children of students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Interested in more SUNY Ulster history? Learn more and add your own story to our interactive timeline!