Exhibition of Visiting Artist James E. Ransome

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

Visiting Artist James E. Ransome Exhibition at the SUNY Ulster Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery February 23 – March 8

February 21, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – The SUNY Ulster Visiting Artist Series brings the work of local artist James E. Ransome to the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery on the Stone Ridge campus from February 23 to March 8. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 23, from 4 – 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, A View from My Window, is a retrospective spanning Ransome’s 34-year career as an acclaimed illustrator of more than 70 notable and award-winning children’s books. With mediums ranging from oils, acrylics, watercolors, and collages, his work has taken on many forms, from books and posters to paintings and murals.

James E. Ransome earned his BFA from Pratt Institute and a Master’s from Lesley University in Massachusetts. He has been honored with the 2023 Children’s Literature Legacy Award by the American Library Association, the Coretta Scott King Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, ALA Notables, a Jane Addams Award, and NAACP Image Award.

James E. Ransome’s journey in art began in the rural South, devoid of direct exposure to art galleries or museums, yet fueled by a deep-seated passion for storytelling and illustration. His career is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent.

 The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster serves as a center for creative activity at the College and within the community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.

                 For more information, please contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

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Pinting detail of person with visor

 

Herrington Showcase Concert Returns to SUNY Ulster and Honors Memory of Former SUNY Ulster Bandleader, Lee Herrington

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

 February 20, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – On Wednesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. the music ensembles of SUNY Ulster will perform a concert to honor the memory of Lee Herrington. Herrington was a dedicated musician and mentor, the former band director at SUNY Ulster, a longtime Rondout Valley music teacher, and the former director of the Kingston local American Federation of Musicians Concert Band. The event will be held in the Quimby Theater, Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

This annual memorial concert will have multiple performances with groups that include current SUNY Ulster and New Paltz students, area High School students, faculty, staff, and community members. Musical groups include the College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres with accompanist Edward Leavitt; the College/Community Band, directed by Vic Izzo; and the African Music Ensemble directed by Paul Chambers.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu. A snow date is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

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SUNY Ulster Celebrates Black History Month with ‘Your Black History’ Showcase on Campus

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Press Release Your Black History

February 12, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY — SUNY Ulster invites the Ulster community to join the College community in a showcase of “My Black History” by coming to the Macdonald DeWitt Library (DEW 101B) on Tuesday, February 20 or Thursday, February 22 between 10 and 11:30 am to record your story.

Your story can be communicated in one of two ways:

  • The Communications COM 131 Digital Storytelling class will record your story with an audio or video recording device.
  • A StoryCorps-Inspired Recording Booth will be available for recording stories with the assistance of a COM131 student.

All stories will be made into one-minute audio-video portraits to be shared on SUNY Ulster’s social media and the SUNY Ulster Blog.

For more information or questions, please contact Meg Sheeley, Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs and Adjunct of Digital Storytelling at sheeleym@sunyulster.edu.

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SUNY Ulster Launches Art & Literary Magazine, Calls for Submissions

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banner introducing the new art & literary magazine

Created by and for SUNY Ulster students, the now defunct Slate Art & Literature Magazine was a platform for students to showcase their developing creative skills on their own terms, outside the limitations of traditional classroom assignments. Each piece published in it was, by nature, distinctly individual; however, as a whole Slate represented the voice of the entire student body – a voice that has been noticeably absent since the publication was retired.

two magazine covers showing a head made from strips of white material and a comic book style collage
Old issues of SUNY Ulster’s Slate Art & Literature Magazine

But now SUNY Ulster students have decided it’s time to reclaim that voice with a new art & literary magazine. No longer called Slate, the name of the new publication will be chosen from suggestions submitted by students. It will showcase a wide range of art forms, from prose and poetry to photography, sculpture, fashion design, and more. The mission of the publication is to showcase the best creative efforts the student body has to offer, and to reflect the diversity and talent of the SUNY Ulster student community.

a photograph of a woman surrounded by colored rocks and smoke and a sketchbook page with human figure studies
Art pieces formerly featured in SUNY Ulster’s Slate Art & Literature Magazine

Student contributions are now being accepted across a wide range of creative disciplines, with a submission deadline of March 1st set. The selection process will be spearheaded by a committee which will determine which submissions are to be featured in the magazine.

This opportunity is exclusive to current students, who are encouraged to submit their work, as well as their ideas for the title of this new publication. Title suggestions can be submitted via Google Form or at stations located outside the Student Life Dining Hall, inside CAPS, and in the Library lobby. The selected title will earn the submitter a $25 Amazon gift card, the same prize that will be awarded to the artist of the magazine cover, which will also be chosen by the selection committee.

Interested in sharing your work? From now until March 1st, submit your work via Google Form.

 

SUNY Ulster Makes Getting to Know Us Easy with Information Sessions & Campus Tours Scheduled throughout the Winter & Spring

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press release campus tour

February 7, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – What better way to get to know SUNY Ulster and the programs offered than to take advantage of one of the many information sessions and campus tours held throughout this winter and spring?

At Information Sessions, prospective students and parents will get detailed information on programs, support services, campus life, and more while also learning about our admissions process.

Tours are led by current students who will take you through academic buildings, dining areas, the library, bookstore, gymnasium, and more. Meet with an Admissions Representative following the tour.

Admissions Information Sessions
4-5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 21 (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 27 (on campus)
Wednesday, April 17 (on campus)

Campus Tour Tuesdays
3-4 p.m.

  • February 20
  • March 5
  • March 19
  • April 2
  • April 16
  • May 14

For more information or to register for any of these events please visit www.sunyulster.edu/visit.

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SUNY Ulster Holds Financial Aid Workshops

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

Get Hands-On Help Filing the New FAFSA

February 6, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster has scheduled multiple virtual financial aid workshops to be held via Zoom to help students and parents file their 2024-2025 FAFSA. During the workshops, a SUNY Ulster Financial Aid Counselor will walk participants through the entire process.

Virtual Workshops via Zoom will be held from 2 – 3 pm on the following Fridays:

  • March 8
  • April 12
  • May 10
  • June 7
  • July 12

SUNY Financial Aid Day will be held on February 17 from 9 am to noon. This is an in-person workshop taking place in Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. Registration is required.

For all financial aid events, students and parents are asked to bring their 2022 tax returns and create an FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch before attending. Registration is required at sunyulster.edu/visit.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 845-687-5058 or email financialaid@sunyulster.edu.

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stack of books with an apple on top and a text overlay introducing the event

SUNY Ulster Celebrates Black Composers in Upcoming Concert Series

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Press Release Images of African American composers

February 5, 2024 – SUNY Ulster’s Live Music Convocation Series is returning this spring, beginning with a showcase dedicated to the music of Black composers. The first event of the series will take place on Wednesday, February 14, at 1 p.m. in the Quimby Theater on the Stone Ridge campus.

This special concert will feature an array of performances by SUNY Ulster’s talented music faculty and friends. The afternoon’s program is designed to pay homage to the rich and diverse contributions of Black composers to the history and culture of American music. The performances will include compositions by Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Joe W. Moore, Justin Holland, and various Spirituals.

Featured performers include Edward Leavitt on piano, Greg Dinger on guitar, Paul Chambers on percussion, Valentina Shatalova on piano, Anastasia Solberg on viola, Marka Young on violin, and baritone vocalist, Jason Rober.

SUNY Ulster will offer these Wednesdays @ 1:00 Live Music Convocation Series throughout the spring semester. These events are free and open to the public. Students, faculty, and community members are all welcome and encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu

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The History of Black History Month

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Members of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History sit at a table posing for a group photo

This February marks America’s 48th official Black History Month. Though many of us may feel like it’s a tradition that’s been around our entire lives, in reality, Black History Month is younger than nearly 40% of Americans. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone well-versed in black history and the many years it took to gain recognition of black Americans’ basic human rights, let alone the lengthy struggle it took to gain them. In recognition of this struggle, let’s take a walk through the history of Black History Month.

What Is Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration in February that recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. It sheds light on accomplishments and struggles that have traditionally been overlooked and marginalized. Black History Month is officially recognized in two countries, including the United States, with observances occurring worldwide; however, despite its widespread recognition today, it wasn’t always so popular, or so well known.

1915: Laying The Foundations

Carter G Woodson stands by a tree wearing a suit
Carter G Woodson in 1923

In 1915, the foundation for Black History Month was laid with the establishment of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH). This organization, established in Chicago by historian Carter G. Woodson, aimed to promote the study of black history and provide a platform for exploring Black American experiences. The social climate of the time could not have been less receptive. America was in the throes of The Great Migration and racial tensions were high. This was a time of widespread, normalized racism and violence. The same year that ASALH was established, the infamously hateful film The Birth of A Nation was released, becoming the first film shown in the White House and prompting outbreaks of anti-black violence across the country. It was the same year the Klu Klux Klan was officially recognized as a fraternal organization. It was during this sensitive and dangerous time that ASALH began releasing research and publications on black history, steadily gaining public recognition and paving the way for future achievements.

1926: A Major Milestone

In 1926, at the height of the Segregation Era, ASALH established “Negro History Week,” a dedicated time to promote the study of black history. This came on the tail end of a years-long struggle by Woodson to gain recognition of black history from the public. Woodson, along with his colleagues, faced mixed reactions from contemporaries. Some applauded the initiative and recognized the importance of documenting and preserving black history. However, others viewed it as unnecessary or even threatening to the prevailing narrative of white supremacy. Despite these challenges, Woodson persevered, laying the foundation for future generations to study and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans.

1976: Official Recognition

President Ford stands at a podium on a stage addressing a crowd
President Ford at the 1976 Bicentennial

Despite his efforts, Woodson did not live long enough to see black history achieve widespread interest and acceptance. It wasn’t until 1969, 19 years after Woodson’s death, that Kent State University (KSU) students proposed the idea of designating February ‘Black History Month’. The first observance occurred at KSU the following year, and over the following years, the idea gained popularity, spreading to educational institutions and community centers across the country. 

Official recognition came in the late 1970s. The president at the time was Gerald Ford, a former congressman who had voted in favor of numerous Civil Rights bills, the 24th Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which helped make fair voting conditions more accessible to Black Americans across the country. Finally, in 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Ford declared Black History Month an official annual observance, urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” By then, America was a (mostly) changed country, and the announcement was met with enthusiasm from many whose families might have sneered just 20 years earlier.

2024: Looking Back & Moving Forward

Black Americans hold signs saying "Black History Matters" and "Protect Black History" while walking down the street
Black History Month Rally in Tallahassee, FL in 2023

Since then, Black History Month has served as a platform to educate, inspire, and empower individuals of all backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of the contributions of Black Americans to American history and culture. Today, Black History Month continues to evolve, with increased awareness and recognition of the accomplishments and struggles of black people. As we reflect on the journey of Black History Month since its inception, we can appreciate the progress made, while also recognizing the ongoing work needed to achieve true equality and justice for all.

SUNY Ulster Announces President’s and Dean’s Lists for Fall 2023

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January 23, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster releases its President’s List and Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester.

 

Full-Time President’s List

A total of 91 students who attended classes on a full-time basis at SUNY Ulster have been named to the President’s List for the Fall 2023 semester, reported Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

 The list, compiled each semester, is comprised of students whose final average for the period of all courses taken is 3.75 and higher, plus other requirements.

 The full-time Fall 2023 President’s List, by area, is as follows:

Bloomingburg: Dylan Ortiz.

Bloomington: Emma Gumaer, Natasha Hefele.

Boiceville: Delilah Smith.

Brooklyn: Joshua Hill.

Campbell Hall: Gia Pfleger.

Climax: Aurora Gandolfo.

Cottekill: Gianna Koch.

Ellenville: Ian Kincaid.

Gardiner: Annabelle Brutvan, David Velasquez Sierra.

High Falls: Hiroshi Sawka Hamaguchi, Nolah Stringham.

Hurley: Hannah Bear, Maya Farhat, Johnathan Helsley, Angie Hernandez, Christopher Potter.

Kerhonkson: Skylar Barringer, Yana Pylypiv, David Santillo, Amber Shamson, Eliza Thurst.

Kingston: Haely Alvarez Perez, Cody Baker, Elizabeth Chase, Christopher Coughlin, Alexi Fallon, Ayla Fish, Cassidy Holsapple, Abbey-Gayle Kelly, Pia Kinsella, Janyia McNabb, Camila Ortiz Lopez, Kythana Prendergast, Alannah Rolph, Jair Rosas Chavez, Cheyenne Rossler-Demskie, David Rutkowski, Hallie Simpson, Kyle Sullivan, Lauren Townsend, Jack Uhl, Makiya Walker, Trinity Wilson.

Lake Katrine: Trista Lukaszewski, Nicolette Paptsikis, Chavvah Zietz.

Marlboro: Asif Arakhan, Jozef Lisiecki.

Middletown: Victoria Meurer, Chang Zhu.

Milton: Caitlin Liu, Timothy Liu.

Modena: Sarah Beacham.

Monroe: Maeve McGinn.

Monticello: Jeanne VanPelt.

New Paltz: Samrina Amjad, Ivy Arnade, Declan Chase-Salerno, Nikola Salvestrini, Sophia Schor, Kieran Thomas.

Newburgh: Javier Quintero.

Olivebridge: Christian Amarilla-Barrios, John Kurz.

Rego Park: Mariia Voianova.

Rifton: Heather Arnold, Louis Walter.

Saugerties: Tiffany Appollonia, Debbie Auer, Nicole Costello, Jackson DeVito, Alison Lundy, Indiana Meyer, Ariel Reuss-Panaro, Angelina Valles, Gordon Vought, Kaydee Wagor.

Shokan: Tessa Delisio.

Spring Glen: Joseph Smiles.

Staten Island: John Cagle.

Stone Ridge: Carmine Carlucci.

Tillson: Matt Boughton.

Ulster Park: Jaidyn Canino.

Wallkill: Julia Graziano.

Washingtonville: Kavya Sridhar.

Wawarsing: Gina Garofolo-Goodman.

Woodstock: Benjamin Feinberg.

Wurtsboro: Hailey Murphy, Alexis Ochse.

 

Part-Time President’s List

A total of 29 students who attended classes on a part-time basis at SUNY Ulster have been named to the President’s List for the Fall 2023 semester, reported Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

 The list, compiled each semester, is comprised of students whose final average for the period of all courses taken is 3.75 or higher, plus other requirements.

 The part-time Fall 2023 President’s List, by area, is as follows:

Cottekill: Lily Bednarz.

Highland: Megan Keating.

Kerhonkson: Paige Lawlor.

Kingston: Brittany Karanza, Lucas Saucer, Carlene Schmidt, Derek Snyder.

New Paltz: Lyla Casamento, Jacqueline Feinstix, John Goodermote, Zoe Marks.

Olivebridge: Anabel Sorbellini.

Rosendale: Aurora Gill.

Shokan: Hannah Gritman.

Stone Ridge: Colin Stewart.

Ulster Park: Elizabeth Loughlin.

Walden: Mariah Halpin.

Wallkill: Ricardo Marsden, Kevin McClinton, Devon Miller, Elliot Morales, Daniel Petrangelo, Ian Rosales, Manuel Sosa, Michael Stevens, Alexandra Strock, Steven Warren, Michael Young.

Wappingers Falls: Bridget Black.

 

Full-Time Dean’s List

A total of 131 students who attended classes on a full-time basis at SUNY Ulster have been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester, reported Kevin R. Stoner, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, SUNY Ulster.

 The list, compiled each semester, is comprised of students whose final average for the period of all courses taken is 3.30 or higher, plus other requirements.

 The full-time Fall 2023 Dean’s List, by area, is as follows:

Accord: Elise Dymond, Bryanna Sanders.

Bearsville: Baileigh Griese.

Big Indian: Kylie Apolito, Sierra Apolito, Michael Holland.

Bloomingburg: Mackenzy Winship.

Bloomington: Christian Conners.

Centerport: Justin McLaughlan.

Chichester: Achaia-Lotus Gindele Horwitz.

Colorado Springs, CO: Jessica Tisdale.

Connelly: Colton Arenella, Averyanna Thomas.

Cottekill: Emily Handschuh.

Ellenville: Shereene Baptiste, Ryan Barbieri, Maia Cox, Vanessa Elliott, Shahid Khan, Jackson Newby Zavala, Arianna Sarantapoulas, Gabriella Sorbara, Meghan Stone-Wardynski.

Fleischmanns: Linetth Garcia Leal.

Freehold: Valerie Rifenburgh.

Gardiner: Adam Anderson, Ashley Creeden, Christopher Curtis, Oscar Zandonella.

High Falls: Adrian Cristian-Fernandez, Michael Goodin.

Highland: Marisol Buchanan, Aimee Castle, Lawrence Dahowski, Joceilia Maybaum, Tania Mendez Matias, Katerina Pisciotta, Adrienne Post, Elainah Towsley, John Vett.

Hurley: Adam Marsh, Bryan Monz, Ryan North.

Kerhonkson: Cheishta Amaraweera, Logan Dee, Courtney Hill, Sara Kortright, Christopher Lennon, Erica Lunden.

Kingston: Teresa Altomare, Erika Berardi, Jack Boyle, Kaitlyn Bryngelson, Lindzy Carlson, Andrew Contrady, Paul Contrady, Cheyanne Corbin, Iad Elmassalemah, Jacob Franklin, Thomas Grega, Imari Harris, Amaya Hasbrouck, Christopher Ibbotson, Tuwana Leonard, Jennifer Lopez-Garcia, Emma Odell, Kayla Perales, Braeden Peters, Joshua Selle, Steven Spinelli.

Lake Katrine: Anthony Dubois-Cafaldo, Takudzwa Muhomba, Jenna Smith.

Marlboro: Isabella Vicari.

Middletown: Litzy Barbecho-Puma, Benjamin Fisch.

Milton: Tyler Mohre.

Modena: Sylvia Hinson.

Mount Marion: Camren Creisstoff.

New Paltz: Nina Brady, Julia Brooker, Riley Hubler, Rachael Kasper, Ali Khalil, Jordan Lopez.

New Windsor: Savannah Ordonez, Mariana Pagan.

Olivebridge: Cheyenne Newton.

Port Ewen: Julianna Hornbeck, Candice Kelly, Antonia Lortz, Satin Martin.

Red Hook: Lillian Carey.

Rhinebeck: Joseph Benziger, Michael Venturella.

Rosendale: Sequoyah London.

Saugerties: Jose Alarcon, Carl Anderson, Ian Brady, Zoey Brady, Koen Buchter, Annika Fisher, Caitlin Hoban, Isaiah Jaeger, Tammara Lavender, Megan McGovern, Jade Meneses, Sophia Pannitti, Flynn Steyer, Derek White.

Shokan: Madison Hommel, Sage Mannino.

Stone Ridge: Faith Avello, Owen Davis, Jacob Hikade, Kya Lowery.

Tillson: Sanjay Basnet, Riley Denham, Brian Ferry.

Tivoli: Aliana Pegelow.

Ulster Park: Paige Richter, Orestes Rios, Hannah Schaber.

Wallkill: Lauren Hall.

West Hurley: Nathan Lonstein, Alisa Thiel.

Woodstock: Cynthia Borschel, Oscar Martinez, Adam Williams, Rachel Williams.

Yonkers: Lourdes Suarez.

 

Part-Time Dean’s List

A total of 44 students who attended classes on a part-time basis at SUNY Ulster have been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester, reported Kevin R. Stoner, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, SUNY Ulster.

 The list, compiled each semester, is comprised of students whose final average for the period of all courses taken is at least 3.30 or higher, plus other requirements.

 The part-time Fall 2023 Dean’s List, by area, is as follows:

Clintondale: Grace Mesuch.

Cottekill: Gunnar Bednarz.

Gardiner: Cassidy Thacker.

Highland: Andrea Schoonmaker.

Hurley: Michael Armanious.

Kerhonkson: Aliyah Cohn, Lucas Dee.

Kingston: Brandon Arciello, Gabrielle Cahill, Katelyn Calo, Geno Coppola, Henry Davies, Katerina Emig, Nancy Kelly, Eric Montesinos, Samantha Olson, Luis Ramirez, Jacob White, Jillian Witte.

Lake Katrine: Stephanie McClure.

Middletown: Linda McDonald.

Modena: Adriana Zocchi.

Napanoch: Steven Beckley.

New Paltz: Rebecca Beatty, Thomas Duncan-Gilmour, Benjamin Fromm, Alyson Murray, David Sparling.

Poughkeepsie: Lindsay Bogart.

Ravena: Geri Pelham.

Saugerties: Madeline Bucci, Daniel MacIsaac, Brandon Pendell.

Wallkill: Pedro Ayala, Steven Council, Daniel Gonzalez, Tyrone James, Lizbeth Martinez, Tamara Quattrochi, Joey Reillo, Emanuel Sangoniyi, Christopher Willard.

Woodbourne: Brianna Goetschius.

Woodstock: Justin Klare.

A Day In The Life of An Online Student at SUNY Ulster

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Student sits cross-legged while holding a laptop in one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other

You might know that SUNY Ulster offers online degree programs, but have you ever wondered what the daily life of an online student looks like? To find out, we asked one of our online students to break down a day in the life of an online student at SUNY Ulster.

Starting The Day With Online Learning

The first thing I do in the morning (after brewing a pot of coffee) is check my calendar to see what I have planned for the day. I make sure to schedule my days in advance, leaving blocks of time for school work and studying in between work and my other commitments so I never find myself unprepared for a test or missing a guideline. Google Calendar is a great tool for this, or the Calendar app if you have an iPhone. Most schools recommend at least 2 hours of studying a week per credit hour, and even more for STEM courses, so it’s important to ensure you’re making time to study without getting burnt out. Here are some tips for avoiding academic burnout.

The next thing I do is check my student email, and then log in to Brightspace, SUNY Ulster’s online learning platform, to see if there are any new course announcements I might have missed. Brightspace has a convenient mobile app called Pulse that lets me check for new announcements and grades right on my phone. Once I’ve taken care of any time sensitive emails, I put my phone away and get ready for work.

Balancing Work & School As An Online Student

I’m lucky enough to have the privilege of working from home, which helps me to save time by avoiding a commute, but the great thing about online courses is the flexibility you’re afforded when it comes to your schedule. Even students who have jobs that don’t allow for remote work can take advantage of SUNY Ulster’s online degree programs. When I’m out and about or I have downtime at work, I often find myself opening up the Pulse app to catch up on reading for my English and Western Civilization classes. I also make sure to schedule breaks throughout the day where I’m not working or studying to avoid burnout. 

MacDonald DeWitt Library during the day

Utilizing Campus Resources – Even As An Online Student

On days I don’t have to work, I often myself visiting campus to take advantage of the amenities and resources available to all students, even fully remote ones! Here’s a breakdown of some of the student services I find myself taking advantage of most frequently:

  • The Library – Whether I’m looking for research assistance or just a quiet place to study, the library is my go-to place on campus for getting school work done.
  • The Center for Academic Planning & Support (CAPS) – I visit CAPS when I want to brush up on my study skills or I need help from a student tutor.
  • On Campus Dining – When I need to fuel up for a long study session, I stop in to the cafeteria for some brain food.

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to campus resources! Online students can join clubs, participate in Student Government, and more. Here’s a breakdown of SUNY Ulster’s student support services.

Utilizing Online Resources

There are some days I just don’t have the time to get to campus, and that’s when I make use of the many support services available online, like:

  • StudentLingo – SUNY Ulster has partnered with StudentLingo to provide courses on anything from stress management to developing a strong thesis statement. These workshops are great when I want to brush up on my study skills.
  • NetTutor – I access NetTutor via BrightSpace when I need to instantly connect with a tutor and don’t have time to get to campus.
  • Any Time Library – If I need research assistance and can’t make it to the library, I make an appointment for a video meeting with a librarian.
  • Online Book Store – I utilize the online book store for finding ebooks of my textbooks and stocking up on other supplies I need.

These are just a few resources I find myself using constantly, but here’s a comprehensive list of online student services that SUNY Ulster provides current students.

The Online Class Experience

Once I’ve finished up work for the day, I log on to Brightspace and start my school work. Some classes are given in the traditional lecture format, either on Zoom or in pre-recorded videos. I make sure to take notes just like I would in an in-person class. Some students might be tempted to skip this step, knowing that the lectures are available to rewatch later, but note-taking is an important part of the learning process! 

close up of desk with open laptop and student's hands taking notes

If I’m struggling with the course material or I have a question on an assignment, I’ll reach out to my professor through the Brightspace platform. Most professors get back to me within 24 hours at the latest, and if I need to reach them for a more in depth conversation, I can schedule an appointment with them on Zoom or stop in and see them on campus during their office hours.

Preparing For The Rest of the Week

At the end of each day, I double check Brightspace to make sure I have all of my upcoming due dates in my calendar, and then I put together my schedule for the following day. This helps me to get right to work in the morning and stay on track with my assignments.

Is Online Learning Right For You?

As a self-motivated and disciplined student, online learning has been perfect for me! It has many of the advantages of going to school on campus, but with a flexibility that allows me to get my degree in between work hours. If you’re like me, the benefits of online learning far outweigh the challenges, especially with the many resources SUNY Ulster offers to support online students! The most important thing to remember when pursuing an online degree is to reach out for assistance if you’re having trouble staying on track.

Still not sure about online learning? Here are a few questions to help you figure out if online learning is right for you.

Ready to get started? Here’s a list of online learning programs and a guide on how to register.