The Campus
SUNY Oneonta’s 250-acre campus overlooks the scenic Susquehanna River Valley in central New York about halfway between Albany and Binghamton. On nearby Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, the university maintains a complex that houses its Biological Field Station and Graduate Program in Museum Studies.
The Oneonta Area
Visitors to SUNY Oneonta enjoy the area’s natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and many historic sites. Cooperstown offers the National Baseball Hall of Fame and many museums. Within a 30-minute drive are two state parks (Glimmerglass and Gilbert Lake) and several popular ski areas. Oneonta offers a shopping mall, a distinctive downtown business community, a wide range of shops and restaurants, and convenient public transportation.
The university is located on the outskirts of the City of Oneonta. In addition to being an educational center, the city offers diverse housing, shopping, cultural, and recreational opportunities. SUNY Oneonta contributes significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of the community.
Major cultural activities at SUNY Oneonta include theatrical productions and musical events offered by student groups, community organizations, and national touring companies. Art exhibitions are shown regularly in the galleries. A wide variety of speakers address provocative and timely topics throughout the year.
The campus is within walking distance of Oneonta’s shopping district. Public transportation, connecting the campus with the City of Oneonta, runs on a regular schedule seven days a week. The city is served by Trailways bus company. Chartered buses take students to and from the New York Metropolitan Area and other parts of the state for vacation periods. The Binghamton airport is about 60 minutes away, and the Albany airport is about 90 minutes away.
Weather in Oneonta is variable. Winters are usually brisk and snowy. Spring and fall bring beautiful, sunny days interspersed with occasional rain. Spring flowers and fall foliage attract many visitors to the area and make these seasons exceptionally beautiful. Warm days and cool nights make summer extremely popular.
The University
Founded in 1889, SUNY Oneonta became a charter member of the State University of New York in 1948. The University has grown into a nationally regarded liberal arts institution with a pre-professional focus. SUNY Oneonta is noted for an outstanding and accessible faculty, students committed to both academic achievement and community service, excellent facilities and technology, a beautiful campus, and a modern library with exceptional resources.
Facilities
SUNY Oneonta’s main campus is in Oneonta, NY, and consists of 36 buildings. The College Camp, located about two miles from campus, features 284 acres of land and includes hiking trails, an observatory, lodge, and outdoor recreational facilities. In nearby Cooperstown, NY, SUNY Oneonta has a state-of-the-art facility that houses the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies and Biological Field Station (BFS). The university also owns and manages 2,600 acres of woodland, pond, and shoreline in Cooperstown that serve as an aquatic and terrestrial ecological research area for the BFS and our Lake Management program.
Academic departments, student service, administrative offices, and instructional spaces are housed in several buildings across the main Oneonta campus.
Fitzelle Hall houses the Education, Philosophy, Africana and Latinx Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics, and Psychology departments, and is also home to Seasons café and popular open study spaces.
Schumacher Hall contains four floors of classrooms and is home to the History, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography and Environmental Sustainability, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Sociology departments.
Two well-equipped science buildings, Perna Science and Physical Science, provide laboratory, classroom, office, and research space for Anthropology, Biology, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Physics and Astronomy. A fulldome digital planetarium in Perna Science offers public shows and can display IMAX-style movies and animations. A public science museum, the Science Discovery Center, is housed in Physical Science.
The Human Ecology building provides Nutrition and Dietetics, Fashion and Textiles, Foodservice and Restaurant Administration, and Human Development and Family Studies programs with laboratories, Child Development Center, and special purpose rooms. The Barbara Weigand Fashion Gallery features rotating exhibits of student-created garments and designs.
The Fine Arts Center houses Art and Design, Digital and Studio Art, Theatre, Music, and Music Industry programs. The building contains art studios, a computer art lab, and student artwork displayed along the walls. The Laurence B. Goodrich Theater and the Hamblin Arena Theater share the central section of the building with the Martin-Mullen Art Gallery, Open Space Gallery, and the Project Space Gallery. The Music department’s studios, music labs, rehearsal halls, and performance spaces include soundproofing, acoustically tunable paneling, industry-grade recording equipment, and secure, climate-controlled storage.
The Evelyn R. Hodgdon Instructional Resources Center (IRC) contains nine lecture halls for large classes and public service activities, a television studio, and programming and computer laboratories. The lecture halls are fully equipped electronic classrooms with computers and audio-visual, video, and large-screen projection capabilities. IRC is also home to the Communication Studies and Media Studies programs.
Alumni Hall is home to the Business, Economics, and Political Science programs as well as University Advancement and Alumni Engagement offices. Special facilities include a stock trading simulation room, several state-of-the-art active-learning classrooms, a student entrepreneurial space, small group rooms, study lounges, and a large conference room.
The James M. Milne Library is a five-story building where students and faculty access information and research materials in a technology-rich environment. The library provides access to traditional library services, including research assistance, circulation, and interlibrary loan. The library’s book collection consists of approximately 500,000 (print and eBook) volumes. Other collections include magazines, newspapers, and journals in print, microfilm, and electronic formats. Over 70,000 electronic periodicals are available to users both on site and through remote access. The Argo Tea café operates within the Milne Library when classes are in session. The Milne Technology Center offers access to over 100 computers with a wide range of productivity software, digital video editing suites, and a presentation rehearsal room with self-video capability. Under one roof, students are able to retrieve information, write papers, and create presentations in a collaborative environment. The Milne Library is also home to several student-support offices including the Accessibility Resources, the Student Learning Center, and Information Technology Services.
One of the busiest places on the campus is the Alumni Field House, which features three basketball courts, a dance studio, an elevated indoor track, a weight training and fitness center, and two racquetball courts. The Dewar Arena in the field house hosts major academic, entertainment, and athletic events. In addition, the G. Hal Chase Physical Education Building is home to the Sport and Exercise Sciences department and contains a multi-use gymnasium, fitness center, weight room, dance studio, handball/racquetball courts, and an indoor swimming pool. Tennis courts, turf and grass athletic fields, and an all-weather track and field are also available on campus for recreational and scheduled sports activities.
The Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence (CRJIE), located in Lee Hall, features two large multi-use spaces for activities, a community kitchen, and a yoga/meditation room. CRJIE staff offer specific programming on topics surrounding social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Netzer Administration building contains faculty offices as well as several student-support offices including Academic Advisement, Access and Opportunity Programs, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, Student Accounts, Student Affairs and Community Standards, Equity and Inclusion, the Call Center, the Print Shop, and Red’s Closet thrift store. Several administrative offices are also housed in Netzer.
The Charles W. Hunt Union is the focal point for many activities, including group meetings, feature films, comedy shows, literary and musical performances, and current affairs programming including speakers and exhibits, as well as faculty functions and educational conferences. The offices for the student government, Student Life and Leadership, Outdoor Programs, Career Development, Global Education, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Office of Student Experience, Center for Social Responsibility and Community, Office of Sustainability, and Continuing Education are housed in the Union. It also has conference rooms, a lecture hall/movie theater, Starbucks, multimedia lounge, dining room, and club and student organization offices. The Union’s 900-seat ballroom is used for speakers, concerts, and special events.
SUNY Oneonta provides a robust technology environment in support of student learning. All traditional classrooms are equipped with multimedia capabilities. There are over 700 networked computers dedicated to student use in about 50 different labs on campus. Many of the labs, including those in each residence hall, are open seven days a week.
The university’s 15 residence halls provide housing for over 3,000 students. The residence hall designs range from offering traditional double-style rooms to quads, suites, and apartment-style living. There are two main dining halls, Mills and Wilsbach, that offer varied types of cuisine in a buffet-style, all-you-care-to-eat design available for eat-in or to-go. Mills also houses a marketplace where students can buy à-la-carte meals and grocery staples.
There are several locations on campus dedicated to supporting safety and wellness of the SUNY Oneonta community. The Health and Wellness Center is home to a medical clinic and counseling services. The Emergency Services Building houses University Police and the Parking Office. Departments within the Office of Facilities, Safety and Physical Plant are split between various buildings around campus.
The Red Dragon Outfitters Building houses the Red Dragon Outfitters retail store, the ID/Dining Card Office, and the Oneonta Auxiliary Services (OAS) and Sodexo Dining Services Management teams. The Morris Conference Center is a full-service conference center featuring large and small rooms with teleconferencing and multimedia amenities as well as two full-service dining facilities and lodging rooms. Morris is open for reservations by campus, community, business, and professional organizations. Bugbee Hall houses auxiliary learning spaces and the Bugbee Children’s Center, and the Welcome Center is home to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Responsible Conduct in Research Policy
All SUNY Oneonta research and activities (conducted by students, faculty, or staff) involving human and/or animal subjects must have prior review and approval. For more information, please see the Responsible Conduct in Research Policy and the Sponsored Programs Compliance website.
Code of Academic Conduct
Academic dishonesty (including plagiarism and cheating) is defined as any act by a student that misrepresents or attempts to misrepresent to an instructor or any school official the proficiency or achievement of that student or another student in any academic exercise for the purpose of influencing a grade on a work assignment, on an examination or quiz, or in a course as a whole, or that is intended to alter any record of a student’s academic performance by unauthorized means.
Faculty members who observe acts of academic dishonesty are required to report them to the Office of Community Standards for investigation and action. A student deemed responsible for an act of academic dishonesty may, depending on the nature of the offense, be subject to one or more of the following measures: failure of the assignment or examination, failure of the course, dismissal from the program, or suspension from the University.
For more information, please see the Code of Student Conduct Policy.
The Center for Social Responsibility and Community
The Center for Social Responsibility and Community (CSRC) provides students with a wide variety of volunteer and service-learning opportunities, connecting students to a rich learning laboratory of nonprofit organizations and agencies off campus. CSRC is part of the Experiential Learning Center located at 127 Hunt Union. The CSRC office is student-led. Throughout the school year, the Center hosts a number of events, beginning in the fall semester with Freshman Service Project when students first arrive on campus. In November, CSRC holds its Annual Conference on Volunteerism and Social Responsibility, partnering with neighboring institutions of higher education. Students are encouraged to participate in CSRC-sponsored activities on campus, such as American Red Cross blood drives, and the Oneonta Fights Cancer Walk fundraising event. Each May, CSRC’s Into the Streets event brings the campus and local community together through a full day of service that benefits area organizations and residents. Over 23% of the SUNY Oneonta student body participates in volunteer and service-learning activities, averaging 50,000 hours of community service each year in serving over 90 nonprofits and organizations in our region. Upon graduation, the Center recognizes students for their service at a ceremony attended by administrators and faculty, with certificates and awards given to those who have reached 350, 500 or 750 hours of service.
The Alumni Association
The SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement seeks to connect, engage, support, and celebrate members of the SUNY Oneonta community cultivate pride in our university through events like Pass Through the Pillars and Founders’ Week. The Red Dragon network consists of more than 71,000 alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and their service to SUNY Oneonta. The Alumni Association can provide you with the tools you need to stay connected, engaged and involved with SUNY Oneonta and each other. Ongoing involvement with the Association can help promote your career, increase your professional contacts, and lead to other opportunities such as internships. The Alumni Association is also proud to support student success by providing $93,000 in annual student support. For more information, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement in Bacon Hall at 607-436-3536 or alumni@oneonta.edu.
SUNY Oneonta Foundation
Established in 1982, the State University of New York at Oneonta Foundation Corporation raises, receives, and manages all gifts and grants from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, foundations, and corporations. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The principal assets of the Foundation constitute nearly all the university’s endowment, which has grown to $74 million and provides financial support for scholarships, academic programs, faculty development, lectureships, student research and creative activity, and a wide range of other university activities. Gifts and grants are made to the SUNY Oneonta Foundation on an annual basis and through estate planning.
Oneonta Auxiliary Services (OAS)
The mission of Oneonta Auxiliary Services is to support SUNY Oneonta through our commitment to exceptional customer service as we establish, operate, manage, enhance and promote programs and auxiliary services for the benefit of the campus community. OAS is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of students, faculty and administrators. Services provided either directly by OAS or through a subcontract include: Dining Services, the Red Dragon Outfitters (supplies, clothing, memorabilia), online textbook services, the College Camp educational and recreational facility, vending services (snacks and soda), residence hall washers and dryers, check cashing services, campus spending accounts, and ID/Dining card operation. OAS is a not-for-profit corporation that returns $2 million annually to SUNY Oneonta through scholarships, utilities, program accounts and capital improvements.
Student Health Services
Appointments: Services at the Student Health Center are available to all registered students who pay the health fee. Students need to call to make appointments, which can usually be scheduled within 24 hours of calling.
Providers: Services at the Health Center are provided by a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioners, registered professional nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
Health histories and immunizations: New York State Department of Health requires SUNY Oneonta to monitor the vaccine status of all registered students. We require all students to complete a health history form and to provide a copy of their immunization records to the Health Center within 30 days of the start of their first semester at SUNY Oneonta. Health history forms are located and submitted within the student patient portal. Immunization records should be uploaded into the portal and should show proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Meningitis immunizations. Students who fail to provide the required records will be prohibited from registering for courses for the following semester.
Services and fees: Student Health Center services are covered under the comprehensive health fee and include the following for no additional charges: assessment and treatment for medical illnesses, minor injuries, reproductive health, preparation for overseas travel, follow-up and counseling for chronic illnesses and healthy lifestyle assessment, referrals to specialty care, limited on-site laboratory testing, limited prescriptions and over the counter medications, and health education programming.
The following services are available for an additional nominal fee: Students are charged for a few of the more expensive prescription medications dispensed at the Health Center. If a student needs outside laboratory or x-ray services, the hospital or lab that provides the services will bill the student or parents directly. Specialty medical care and emergency services are available in the community and at local hospitals.
Office of Health Education
The Office of Health Education is dedicated to fostering a campus climate that promotes low-risk choices, harm reduction, social norming and disease prevention. The Office of Health Education encourages students to work toward optimal wellness through the following services:
Wellness Outreach Programs: The Office of Health Education offers a variety of outreach program that include: events, workshops and presentations for Residence Halls, campus clubs, organizations and/or athletic teams and a health newsletter. Programs include but are not limited to the following topics: wellness, sexuality, alcohol and other drugs, tobacco, nutrition and exercise, relationships, sleep, body image, eating disorders, contraception, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment, stalking, stress management, and bystander training. Smoking cessation support is also available to students through this office.
Advocacy: The Health Educator acts as an advocate for students concerning any issues regarding personal health and health care. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 607-436-3540.
Wellness Resources: The Office of Health Education is a clearinghouse of information concerning a variety of health topics including pamphlets, posters, videos, electronic resources and books. The Health Educator acts as a resource person and consultant for students requesting topical materials for class work, service projects or personal use.
Internships: Students have the opportunity to earn one to three credits working with the Office of Health Education. Internships can focus on specific health topics or provide a broader view of health promotional activities on campus.
For more information please visit us on the web at suny.oneonta.edu/office-health-education or call 436-3540.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center, located in the Counseling, Health and Wellness Building on Ravine Parkway, provides brief, supportive, problem focused, professional counseling for students. Counseling provides students with a safe place to resolve difficulties and cope with the multi-dimensional challenges of personal growth. Talking with a licensed professional counselor can help students develop new insight, emotional coping skills and problem-solving techniques. Students must pay the health fee to be eligible for Counseling Center services.
- Students are seen by appointment on a voluntary basis.
- Counseling is confidential.
- There is no charge for services (for students who have paid the health fee).
In addition to providing counseling services, counselors also offer consultation to friends, roommates and family members who may be concerned about a student. Confidential information cannot be discussed, but counselors can help to evaluate concerns, discuss options, and assist in problem-solving. Reach the Counseling Center by calling 607-436-3368 or by visiting the Counseling Center’s website.
Campus Safety Report
In compliance with the federal law, Title 11 “Campus Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act”, SUNY Oneonta provides reports about campus safety and security programs, incidents of crime on campus, and information regarding registered sex offenders. In accordance with changes to the Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315) in 2008, the University annually includes information on campus fire safety procedures and standards. This report is available online at the following link: suny.oneonta.edu/university-police/annual-campus-safety-security-reports.
You may obtain a paper copy of this report from the Vice President for Student Affairs, 119 Netzer Administration Building, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, New York 13820, 607-436-2513, and at these additional locations:
- Admissions Office, Welcome Center, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, New York 13820, 607-436-2524;
- University Police Department, Health and Safety Building, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, New York 13820, 607-436-3550;
- At our University Police website (suny.oneonta.edu/university-police) at the tab labeled Campus Crime Report;
- Student Education and Community Outreach, 135A Netzer Administration Building, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, New York 13820, 607-436-2665;
Campus crime statistics are available from the United States Department of Education web site at https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/.
Information concerning registered sex offenders is transmitted to the campus by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and may be obtained from the Chief of Police, c/o University Police Department, or on the University Police website.
The Student Learning Center
The Student Learning Center provides a wide range of services to help foster academic success for students at all stages of their academic careers. It provides individualized tutoring in writing and study skills as well as critical reading strategies. For information, contact The Student Learning Center at (607) 436-3010, or at SLC@oneonta.edu.
Services for Students with Disabilities
SUNY Oneonta is committed to ensuring access and equity to all students. Students diagnosed with a disability may be entitled to a wide array of accommodations to meet specific needs. These needs are supported through individualized accommodation plans formulated in a collaborative effort by the Student Learning Center and the student. These plans must be supported by a current evaluation from an appropriate professional. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, classroom assistance, testing assistance, adaptive technology and individualized accommodations as needed. It is strongly suggested that all new students register with the Student Learning Center at the beginning of their first semester.
Career Development Center
The Career Development staff is professionally trained to assist students and alumni in career decision-making, career planning, internship and job search, and graduate school search. The mission of the Career Development Center (CDC) at SUNY Oneonta is to facilitate career exploration and preparation for our diverse students and alumni through academic, career, and personal development. The CDC is committed to helping each individual student explore their career interests, navigate their career path, and maximize their SUNY Oneonta experience for post-graduate success.
The CDC supports students and alumni through career advising:
- The team of career coaches offers opportunities to advise students in person and virtually through one-on-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
- Students can access career planning tools online through the CDC’s website. These tools help students evaluate their personal interests and skills, gain access to a network of recruiters offering jobs and internships, and practice professional etiquette such as interviewing.
- The CDC also offers engaging workshops after business hours to groups/clubs and in the residence halls. The office provides a menu of topics such as resume review, using LinkedIn and interviewing. Students can also suggest topics of interest.
- Students can have their resume, cover letter and graduate school essays reviewed through drop-off document critique service, with a follow-up one-on-one session if needed.
The CDC connects students to applied learning:
- On-campus and virtual recruitment events are scheduled through the CDC during fall and spring semesters. Hundreds of representatives from graduate/professional schools, business and industry, education, and government visit the campus to hold information sessions, participate in networking events, offer interviews and participate in large-scale fairs both on campus and online.
- In partnership with departments and Faculty Internship Coordinators, the CDC’s Internship Coordinator guides students through the internship process from finding internships of interest, polishing application documents and practicing interviewing skills to applying for credit. The IC works closely with academic departments to ensure each student can register seamlessly and receive credit for each experience.
- The CDC also facilitates the application and disbursement of Internship Support funds. These funds ensure that internship experiences are more accessible to all students. Funding can be used for travel, food, transportation and more.
Housing
The campus residence facilities consist of 15 halls that provide living arrangements with one- to six-student occupancy styles. A variety of optional lifestyles are offered for students to choose from, including first-year experience, LGBTQIA+ friendly options (including the Marsha P. Johnson community), a transfer living community, outdoor recreation floor, and a sophomore success living community. The halls are self-contained units where the daily needs of students can be conveniently met. There are washing machines and dryers, as well as vending machines in each hall. Lounges are equipped with study tables, and recreation rooms have televisions and a variety of recreational equipment. Additionally, each residence hall has at least one computer lab, a common kitchen, and all bedrooms are hardwired for voice, video, and data.
Inquiries about campus lifestyle options should be directed to the Residential Community Life Office.
SUNY Oneonta does not own or operate any off-campus housing, nor does it inspect or approve available housing, or become involved in private landlord-tenant matters. However, to assist students and faculty, the Housing Office does maintain some listings and informational services regarding available private housing for rent.
Veterans
SUNY Oneonta is proud to recognize service to our country and to assist Veterans and eligible family members in reaching specific academic and career goals. Whether you need help with your benefits paperwork or you need assistance navigating your campus experience, there are many people invested in your success. The primary contact for all things related to Veterans’ support is the Veterans Certifying Official (VCO).
Students who are Veterans, active duty, reservists, and those using Veterans’ educational benefits are all provided priority registration to ensure timely degree completion. The university awards credit for basic training and other military courses.
SUNY Oneonta is a signatory to both the EXECUTIVE ORDER 13607, establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses and Other Family Members and the 8 Keys to Veterans’ Success.
In addition, SUNY Oneonta complies with all billing, payment, and attendance practices as outlined in 38 USC 3679(e). See “Can I Defer Tuition Payments?” in the “Obtaining Benefits” section of the Veteran & Military Services web page.
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