Apr 23, 2024  
2014-2016 Catalog 
    
2014-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Activities



SUNY Ulster offers students opportunities to participate in the governance of the College and to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. The Association fee paid with tuition provides funding for many of the programs planned and sponsored by the student-run Events Planning Council. This fee automatically conveys membership in the Student Government Organization. The Student Government Organization, together with the Ulster Community College Association, Inc. Board of Directors, oversees the various clubs and organizations. Information regarding the Student Government Organization, as well as current clubs and organizations, may be obtained from the Coordinator of Campus Life, Deb Waller-Frederick in Clinton Building Room 204, or by phone 845-687-5263.

Student Governance

Student Government Organization (SGO)

SUNY Ulster’s Student Government Organization (SGO) represents the main voice of the student body and works to ensure a high quality of student life on the Stone Ridge campus. In addition to providing oversight to student organizations, clubs and events, SGO evaluates and approves club budget requests, supervises student elections and administers the activities of the Student Council every Friday. SGO meets the the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to conduct its business. The Student Council, with representatives from each active campus club, meets to address student issues, concerns and ways to improve overall Student Life. SGO officers, including President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary, are elected for a one-year term. The SGO officers and the student delegates on the Student Council represent the voice of student leadership at SUNY Ulster. SGO’s Facebook page is a popular mode for student networking and communication.

Student Trustee

The Student Trustee is elected by the student body to represent them on SUNY Ulster’s Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for the educational policies and operations of the College. The Student Trustee attends all meetings of the Board and serves as a fully voting member.

Student Organizations

Student clubs at SUNY Ulster offer options for a wide variety of interests. Creating a new club at SUNY Ulster is processed through SGO. SUNY Ulster is committed to enhancing and improving the full college experience and encourages student engagement in extra-curricular activities. Student Life at SUNY Ulster offers many opportunities for students to engage in activities outside the classroom. The Student Life Center in Vanderlyn Hall offers an environment for social interaction among students, faculty and staff. Among the active clubs at SUNY Ulster are the following:

Business Club, Criminal Justice Club, Drama Club, Engineering Club, Environmental Club, Events Planning Council, Human Services Club, LGBTA, Nursing Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Admissions Ambassadors, TRIO Club, Vet Tech Club, Visual Arts Club.

Bio Club

Nancy Decker
687-5238
Deckern@sunyulstere.edu
Purpose is to provide a foundation in which members may explore interests In the field of Biology through on or off campus events and through related volunteer work.

Business Club

Mindy Kole
687-5194
kolem@sunyulster.edu
The Business Club is a college division of the organization International Association of Administrative Professionals. The Business Club provides students with the opportunity to participate in a professional organization, attend professional meetings and conferences, and hear speakers on business topics of interest.

Chess Club “Fighting Knights”

Karl Knapp
Knappk@sunyulster.edu
The clubs central concept is to Introduce a a timeless construct which allows for intellectual competition that Is not exclusionary of any individual. The club will actively promote and market the culture and playing of chess within the SUNY Ulster community.

Criminal Justice Club

Tom D’Amicantonio
688-1987

Drama Club

Stephen Balantzian
688-1589
VAN 212D
The purpose of the Drama Club is to benefit the student body of SUNY Ulster, specifically the students in the Theater Department. The meeting will be a place where like-minded, creative people can commune, develop, participate in fundraising and encourage each other in their classes and studies relating to theater. Drama Club: Thespian United! will showcase the Theater Department to the campus and to the community. Open to all majors.

Engineering Club

Sal Ligotino
687-5158
The Engineering Club engages students in creative projects, such as concrete canoe design. (Each year since 1988, club members have designed and constructed a concrete canoe that is entered into a race with other college teams at Nassau Community College; SUNY Ulster’s club has won trophies at every competition) and “punkin chunkin” competitions. The Club participates in TYESA design contests. Monthly meetings include discussion panels, guest speakers, and social contact.

Environmental Club

Karen Helgers
688-1581
helgersk@sunyulster.edu
The Environmental Club consists of students involved in a variety of activities in the life sciences. The Club meets to discuss environmental issues and to plan programs and events to address those issues. It also participates in “Adopt-A-Highway,” maintaining a section of U.S. Highway 209, and travels to Massachusetts for whale watching.

Events Planning Council

Deb Waller-Frederick
687-5263
wallerfd@sunyulster.edu
The Events Planning Council plans events for all students. Events have included dances, ice cream socials, barbecues, luncheons, and trips to New York City, Broadway shows, and sporting events. Meetings are held every other Wednesday in Vanderlyn Hall 203A at a time determined at the beginning of each semester.

Human Services Club

Deanne Schreiber
687-5078
schreibd@sunyulster.edu
The Human Services Club is available for student to develop increased knowledge of the field of Human Services.

Improv Workshop Club ‘Empty Tables’

Stephen Balantzian
688-1589
To benefit the student body by encouraging those who want to pursue theater arts. The club will present monthly staged readings which will be performed for the student body and SUNY Ulster campus.

Lacrosse Club

Karl Knapp
688-1580
To provide students that have a passion for lacrosse an opportunity to play and participate with others who enjoy lacrosse.

LGBTA

Hope Windle
687-5295
windleh@sunyulster.edu
LGBTA@sunyulster.edu
The LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and their Allies) of SUNY Ulster gives support, education, and resources to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual students and faculty, and the people who support them. This is a group for discussion of feelings, thoughts, and goals pertaining to change in our communities. Discussion topics range from coming out, to parents, to relationship problems. The primary objective is to make members feel safe and comfortable in an environment meant for reflection and change. Confidentiality is required to assure members’ safety and comfort.

Nursing Club

Lisa Schulte
688-1585
schultel@sunyulster.edu
Each year this club hosts a luncheon, a lecture, and the Candlelight Ceremony for graduating nursing students.

Perseverance Club

Patricia Curry
687-5103
Curryp@sunyulster.edu
The Club’s purpose Is to provide local young people and their families in long and short term Impoverished or difficult living situations, with support through tangible and intangible gifts. The club will coordinate events on and off campus to make direct connections to those community members in need determined by partnering with community organizations.

Phi Theta Kappa

Kathleen Bruegging
Mary Tarcza
breuggik@sunyulster.edu
tarczam@sunyulster.edu
Membership in the Alpha Rho Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a national honors fraternity, is open to students with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. The national fraternity, which was established over 70 years ago, offers a wide range of workshops, educational opportunities, and scholarships to its members. SUNY Ulster’s Alpha Rho Delta chapter was chartered in 1989. Membership is by invitation of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Running Club

Jennifer Patterson
688-1590
To serve as a resource in which athletic needs of the student can be met. Including but not limited to cross country running, road running, track running or any other running based activities.

Student Admissions Ambassadors

Dyana Warnock
Coordinator of Admissions Services
688-1567
warnockd@sunyulster.edu

TRIO Club

Lynn Corcoran-Johnston
687-5260
Harold Rayford Jr.
687-5256
The purpose of the TRIO Club is to encourage TRIO (Student Support Services) students to become active students on campus and in the community through activities and events. Meeting times are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Vet Tech Club

Beth Alden
687-5233
aldenb@sunyulster.edu
Donna Meier
688-1569
meierd@sunyulster.edu
The Vet Tech Club encourages students who plan to become Veterinary Technicians to learn more about the field and gain experience through activities and involvement with the community.

Visual Arts Club

Susan Jeffers
687-5113
jefferss@sunyulster.edu
This club offers the chance for any students interested in art to share interests and ideas. In the past, students have created murals, taken field trips to galleries and museums, organized student art shows on and off campus, and developed their own publications and magazines. It is open to all.

Arts Programming

The following programs are open to the public and the College community. Most events are free of charge or a suggested donation. Check the Calendar of Events at www.sunyulster.edu.

Larry Berk Artist-in-Residence Program

The highly successful Artist-in-Residence Program brings artists of international and national renown to the campus to share their talents with students and community members. Started in 1999, the College’s Artists- in-Residence have included:

  • Former New York City Ballet soloist Wilhelmina Frankfurt
  • Actress/Author Gillian Farrell
  • Singer-songwriter Robbie Dupree
  • Lyricist Johanna Hall
  • Musician David Sancious
  • Writer Nina Shengold
  • Musicians Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
  • Photographer Elliott Landy
  • Filmmaker Nicole Quinn
  • Actress/Writer Denny Dillon
  • Musician Garry Kvistad
  • Producer Malcolm Cecil

Herbert H. & Sofia P. Reuner Library Writers Series

Each fall a renowned writer is invited to campus presenting a unique opportunity for SUNY Ulster students and the community to hear award-winning authors discuss and read from their work. Some of the past authors in the Series include:

  • David Rakoff
  • Michael Cunningham
  • Jaimy Gordon
  • Carolyn Forche
  • Francine Prose
  • Diane Ackerman

Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

An annual event that brings well known and award winning poets to the SUNY Ulster campus for informal question and answer sessions and special evening readings of their poetry. Some of the poets included in the Series are:

  • Naomi Shihab Nye
  • Ted Kooser
  • Charles Simic

Words and Music Series

This series focuses on the multi-disciplinary blending of music and the spoken word. Artists included in the Series are:

  • Mikhail Horowitz & Giles Malkine
  • Peter Rogen, Rumi Night of Poetry and Music
  • Julia Haines
  • Jules Shear

Visiting Artist Series

This program brings acclaimed visual artists to campus each semester. The artists give a lecture and show their work in the Muroff Kotler Gallery. Participants have included Mary Frank, Grace Bakst Wapner, Henrietta Mantooth, Gwen Fabricant, Martin Puryear, Joan Snyder, Milton Glaser, Vivian Bower, Ben Katchor, Judy Pfaff, Ford Crull, Gillian Jagger, Robert The, Portia Munson, Will Cotton, Larry Grenadier, Woody Pirtle, Elaine Bromka, and Donald Brenner.

Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

The Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery in Vanderlyn Hall serves as a center for creative artistic activity for the College and surrounding community. It is a teaching gallery dedicated to supporting the visual arts curriculum through a variety of exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.

The Exhibition series is steered by arts professionals at the College and strives to present high-caliber art work that stimulates inquiry and nurtures the growth of our students in the arts. Exhibitions include solo shows by prestigious local artists and a visiting artist, themed juried shows, and the work of visual arts faculty. In addition, the gallery showcases the work of our own visual arts majors and of area high school students.

The College’s permanent art collection serves as a permanent visual reference source and enriches the cultural climate on campus by making additional high-quality art works available to students and the community. The College believes that the acquisition of art works and the presentation of varied art exhibitions assist the College community in setting standards for judgment and perception and improving educational standards in the arts. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and by appointment. The gallery is closed holidays, intersession, and on days when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Susan Jeffers, Gallery Coordinator, (845) 687-5113, or email: jefferss@sunyulster.edu.

QUIMBY THEATER

Quimby Theater is the venue for student and professional theatrical productions, concerts, dance presentations, poetry readings, guest lectures and other featured events.

Dedicated in 1969 in memory of John C. Quimby, who was Chairman of the Board of Directors of SUNY Ulster at the time of his death, the theater was renovated in 2006 with new seats, lights, curtains and carpets.

Other Activities

Athletics

SUNY Ulster recognizes the benefits of a competitive athletic program and the role it plays in both the development of the student and the vibrancy of campus life. Competitive intercollegiate athletic opportunities are available for both men (baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and tennis) and women (softball and volleyball). Student athletes are expected to attend classes, maintain satisfactory academic progress towards their degree program, and conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. The SUNY Ulster Athletic Program is committed to assisting qualified student athletes with their goal of competing at a higher level. SUNY Ulster is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Region XV, and the Mid-Hudson Conference.

Coffee Hours

Student coffee hours are held each semester to meet and talk with the President and Deans of the College. Students are encouraged to use these opportunities to express their ideas and concerns to the College administration. Information announcing these events is displayed throughout the campus, posted on the website, and on my.sunyulster.edu.

Dramatic Presentations

SUNY Ulster’s Theater program mounts a spring and fall production every year in the College’s Quimby Theater. The department offers an A.A. Degree in Theater Arts open to all students. Recent productions include, The Mousetrap, Proof, The Importance of Being Earnest, Inspecting Carol and Dancing at Lughnasa, The Grapes of Wrath, Servant of Two Masters, Waiting for Lefty, Our Town, and The Importance of Being Earnest.

Lectures

Through the efforts of the academic departments and clubs and organizations on campus, SUNY Ulster schedules a variety of speakers throughout the year. Speakers are drawn from many fields including art, politics, science, education, constitutional studies and athletics.

Music Presentations

SUNY Ulster’s music program offers an A.S. Degree in Music and presents spring and fall concerts. Concerts include Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Choral and Community Band Concerts. A Tuba Christmas Concert is held every year. The concerts are held in the College’s Quimby Theater and are free and open to the public.

Arts & Literature Magazine

The Slate is the name of an Arts and Literature Magazine published by the Communication and Media Arts program in conjunction with the Visual Arts Club. The Slate magazine is published once a year in the spring semester and accepts all manner of written and visual materials for publication. This student designed and edited publication presents student writing in journalism from COM 210  and or COM 201 , poetry, micro fiction, short memoir, and short stories as well as scripts for radio and film. It also reproduces student artwork in all media including drawing, painting, sculpture and photography. The deadline for submissions is mid-March with an April publication date. For more information, contact faculty advisor, Bob Pucci at puccir@sunyulster.edu.

Student Admissions Ambassadors (SAA)

The SAA program consists of current students who share their personal experiences as a SUNY Ulster student with those who express interest in attending the College in the future. SAA members must participate in three or more volunteer activities per semester and be in good academic standing in order to maintain membership. Activities include, but are not limited to, volunteering at Admissions events, assisting at local college fairs, and participating in Spring Open House. Applicants are selected through a written application process. For more information, contact Dyana Warnock SAA Advisor at (845) 688-1567, by e-mail warnockd@sunyulster.edu or on Facebook at Facebook.com/SUNYUlsterCoordinatorofadmissions.

Video Facilities

The Communications Program leases a studio facility at 721 Broadway Kingston, for creating a variety of video productions. The studio has the capacity to make high-quality digital video programming in a three-camera studio with digital editing capabilities. Students also utilize on campus facilities for video graphing and editing in our MAC labs. Students who have completed the required coursework are encouraged to explore their creativity in independent and College-sponsored projects in digital video as part of the film concentration. The department also has set up a number of second-year internships with area companies to allow students to pursue career goals in a variety of media.