Greetings from the Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Parents and Family Members:

I am very pleased to be writing my first letter for the Family Page. Since arriving at SUNY Cortland on June 5, I have been very impressed by the students, faculty, and staff I have met. I have found everyone to be very helpful, caring, and proud to be members of this educational community. It is a privilege for me to join. I hope you and your student feel the same.

I always enjoy the start of the fall semester. Though the summer is busy with camps and preparation for the academic year, the arrival of students brings a great deal of energy back to campus. I enjoyed sharing in the Academic Convocation (for new students) and the Welcome Week activities. Please note the various links in the right- and left-hand margins highlighting information, awards, and events happening on campus.

In preparation for the opening of the residence halls, our residential services and facilities staffs worked diligently. We recognize that many of our first-year students are sharing rooms with two people, which for many is their first time sharing a room. As with any living situation, this poses challenges but also a wonderful opportunity to make friends quickly. The resident assistants (RAs) and residence hall directors (RHDs) will be working closely with your son or daughter through this transition. Our experience has shown that an accepting attitude and willingness to compromise can make this a positive experience. I ask that, before you pick up the phone to call about a concern, you talk with your student about the steps he or she can take to work through the issue. This is a great opportunity to help your student learn how to solve problems and be a self-advocate. The Residential Services staff is available to provide support and guidance.

For many juniors and seniors this is their first time living in an off-campus apartment. This step toward independence works well for almost all. However, with this independence comes a great deal of responsibility, as you well know. In addition to paying bills and managing an apartment or house, students are living in a neighborhood with neighbors who are not students. It is important to talk with your student about what it means to be a good neighbor. When I discuss this with students, I make the point that they should imagine the child next door as their brother, sister, niece, nephew, or cousin. Likewise, the older person next door could be their grandparent, aunt, or uncle. How would they want their neighbors to treat them?

The returning sophomores need to start thinking about their academic and extracurricular resumes. Commencement will be here before they know it. Do their curriculum and co-curriculum activities support their post-undergraduate goals? Career Services can help.

I hope you find the information on this Web site helpful. Please encourage your family member to connect with the many services and programs offered at Cortland. Students will find the relationships they build will help them today and in the future.

If you have any suggestions for how this site can be improved or additional information you would like included on the sidebar, as always, please feel free to e-mail the SUNY Cortland Student Affairs Office SUNY Cortland Student Affairs Office.

C. Gregory "Greg" Sharer, M.S.,J.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs