SUNY Ulster Campus Reentry Plan Approved by SUNY and Announcement of Four High-Quality Learning Options for Fall 2020

July 10, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY –  Dr. Alan P. Roberts is pleased to announce that SUNY Ulster’s Reentry Plan, developed by SUNY Ulster’s Reentry Task Force encompassing the needs of all members of the community, has been approved by SUNY.  SUNY Ulster is actively engaging in the next steps of safe reentry to the College’s Stone Ridge Campus and Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster.

“The health and safety of our students and community has been our number one focus and will continue as the top priority. All operations have been evaluated to ensure a safe return for students and staff. This includes adhering to social distancing practices, providing effective personal protective equipment, and ensuring that proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols are implemented for all facilities and operations.”

Faculty and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty have been reviewing all course sections to determine how each will be delivered.

SUNY Ulster is offering four, high-quality learning modalities for instruction in the fall 2020 semester, which will commence on Monday, August 24, per the existing academic calendar.

These are: remote delivery of all course content; remote delivery of lecture content with on-campus lab, clinical, studio; blended or hybrid courses; and fully online courses.  An updated course schedule highlighting the fall 2020 learning modalities will be available in the coming weeks.

On-campus learning experiences will be limited to those courses that require critical hands-on lab, clinical and practical components, such as STEM, Fashion Design, Nursing, Veterinary Technology, Criminal Justice and Human Services, Police Basic Training, Art, Music, and Continuing and Professional Education. These learning experiences will be conducted following social distancing and reduced density protocols with course objectives determining on-site need.

Any fall 2020 in-person instruction will be prepared to pivot to remote learning modalities if needed.  Additionally, we are prepared to serve students who are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

SUNY Ulster Learning Residencies Additional high-quality learning possibilities will be announced for select disciplines for fall 2020, including the opportunity for pre-scheduled on-campus classes and content days through social-distancing protocols and reduced-density measures.

On-site staff operations will remain limited to ensure social distancing and to maintain a reduced campus density. Each department has created a departmental safety and staffing plan, these plans outline new departmental procedures and on-site staffing levels. Each department will have limited face-to-face services available by appointment.  As this plan is subject to change due to new information, guidance, and/or direction from the State and County, staff will prepare for a return to remote operations on a daily basis.

All on-site employees, students, and visitors shall wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be consistently maintained and whenever walking throughout College facilities. PPE devices including disposable face masks and/or face shields will be provided, at no cost, at all health services check-in points.

Various screening tools will be deployed.  We are currently evaluating several options including an online pre-entry screening tool that will be deployed prior to initial reentry to campus. This questionnaire will be more in-depth and will address questions related to potential exposure to COVID-19 while also assessing current health and wellness. No-touch thermometers will be used to check temperatures daily for all on-site students, faculty, staff, or visitors.

Hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols provided by the CDC guidelines are maintained throughout our facilities.

“I am appreciative of the collective efforts of our faculty and staff during this challenging time in supporting our students for their continued success,” adds Dr. Roberts.

Contact a SUNY Ulster Enrollment and Success Counselor today to apply and register online for SUNY Ulster’s fall 2020 semester.

Please check back often for updated information.

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SUNY Ulster Remote High School Equivalency Class Begins June 8

June 1, 2020 – Kingston, NY – The SUNY Ulster Office of Continuing and Professional Education is offering an online course to help prepare students for the Test Assessing Secondary Competency (TASC) needed to earn the High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma. The class will run from June 8 through July 16.

Designed for students who did not graduate from high school but want a certificate equivalent to a traditional high school diploma, the program provides instruction and comprehensive review in language arts, writing, reading, math, science, and social studies. The course will also focus on preparing students for college and assist those seeking enrollment in a SUNY Ulster degree or certificate program. Passing the TASC exam provides an opportunity for adults to continue their education. SUNY Ulster accepts GED/TASC graduates who meet its qualifications for admission.

The TASC class will be offered remotely. The class hours are Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 – 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. The fee for the class is $20, and pre-registration is required. The required textbook is TASC Prep 4th Edition with Two Practice Tests by Kaplan and is approximately $20.

For more information or to register, call Continuing and Professional Education at (845) 339-2025 or follow the links: TASC I or TASC II.

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SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff Receive 2020 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

May 27, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce that the following faculty and staff members have been awarded the 2020 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

They are: Dr. Hans Vought, Professor of History, Social Sciences, History & Education Department – Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; Janet Gehres, Adjunct Faculty, Music, Art, Design, Fashion, Theatre and Communication – Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching; Sheryl “Sherry” Chisamore, Director of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Academic Affairs – Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service; and Elizabeth “Betty” Zeeb, Photocopy Attendant, Central Services – Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, librarians, and professional staff across its campuses.

For more information, contact Deborah Kaufman at kaufmand@sunyulster.edu or by phone at (845) 687-5261.

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SUNY Ulster President, Dr. Alan P. Roberts Delivers Safe Surprise Diplomas During Virtual Commencement

May 18, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – Although the SUNY Ulster campus and Ulster County community were not able to gather in-person on the Stone Ridge campus to celebrate and honor 2020 graduates, Dr. Alan P. Roberts has traveled over 460 miles throughout the region, hand-delivering diplomas to many of the over 120 graduates who RSVP’d to participate in SUNY Ulster’s 2020 virtual ceremony.

Observing all appropriate social distancing precautions and wearing a facemask, Dr. Al (as he is familiarly called) began his diploma deliveries at 8 a.m. Saturday morning and his deliveries spanned over the last several days. He announced his intention to hand deliver diplomas in his commencement welcome message during Saturday’s virtual ceremony, saying he was making good on a promise he made during orientation.

Images of Dr. Al delivering diplomas to this year’s graduates can be found on SUNY Ulster’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To date, the Facebook post alone has reached over 27,235 people and received over 11,535 engagements and 203 shares.

The graduating class consisted of 284 students. Of this group, 267 received associate degrees and 36 received certificates. The youngest graduate is 14, and the oldest is 59. Of the class, 33 graduated with highest honors, 80 graduated with honors, 6 students graduated with the Honors Studies program distinction, 7 students were recognized for earning a 4.0 GPA while at SUNY Ulster, the President’s Medal of Highest Honor, and 38 are members of the national honors society Phi Theta Kappa. There were also 5 students graduating as College Scholars. The first group of New Start for Women students graduated with their certificates.

After Pomp & Circumstance played by SUNY Ulster’s brass quintet from the College’s 2017 Commencement and welcome message, video and audio messages continued from Alan Lomita, Chairman of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees; U.S. Senator, Chuck Schumer; U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado; New York State Senator, Jennifer Metzger; Assembly member, Kevin A. Cahill; Ulster County Executive, Patrick Ryan; Chair of the Ulster County Legislature David Donaldson; Chair of the SUNY Ulster Academic Senate, Professor Jim Hobbs; SUNY Chancellor, Dr. Kristina Johnson; Chair of the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., John Markes; Actress, Melissa Fumero of NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine; Tay Fisher, Kingston High School alumnus (Class of 2004), Siena College graduate (Class of 2008 and 2018) and ten-year member of the Harlem Globetrotters and Actor & Radio Legend, Bruce Morrow “Cousin Brucie” of Sirius XM’s 60’s on 6.

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Kevin Stoner spoke on the Academic Achievements of the class of 2020 followed by a presentation of the candidates through virtual slides submitted by participating graduates and voiceovers by Assistant Dean for Student Success, Wendy Beesley and Assistant Dean for Student Services, Matt Brennie. Interim V.P. of Enrollment Management, Matt Green recognized SUNY Ulster’s faculty and staff named as 2020 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence recipients.

This year, a combined Invocation/Benediction message was given from Rev. Allison Moore, PhD. from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Paltz, NY.

SUNY Ulster’s 56 th Commencement was pre-recorded and streamed for graduating students and guests on Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. from the College’s YouTube Channel, Facebook page, and Website, where it can still be viewed.

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SUNY Ulster’s Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Offers Businesses Counseling and Support in Applying for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

March 23, 2020 —Stone Ridge, NY— SUNY Ulster’s Mid-Hudon Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster is offering counseling and support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 virus that are interested in applying for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Because New York State has been designated a disaster zone for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Loan amounts are based on actual economic injury and company financial needs. Businesses that believe they might qualify can apply online.

Arnaldo Sehwerert, regional director of the Mid Hudson SBDC affirms, “This is not the first time our region has had to deal with disaster and SUNY Ulster’s Small Business Development Center is putting in place all the experience and expertise gathered after 9/11, Super storm Sandy, and the downturn of 2008. This time around, we are called to face up to a challenge that affects all types of business, at all levels, including our own personal lives. We will be doing our best to bring sensible realistic answers to our clients’ problems by working as a team with the College, the Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Chambers and the County Executive offices of Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange.”

SBDC has a long standing track record for providing Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Greene, Delaware, Schoharie, and Dutchess counties with award-winning one-to-one counseling, training, and research services to assist with small business start-ups, expansions, or turnarounds. Since its inception in 1985, the advisors of the Mid-Hudson SBDC have worked directly with over 20,000 businesses, helping them to invest nearly $690 million in the area’s economy, and create or save over 19,000 jobs.

To request SBDC services, interested parties should make a request for an online appointment with one of our counselors at http://www.nyssbdc.or/appointment.html

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