Oct 11, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Support Services




Student Services provides a wide array of programs and services to fulfill the needs of Erie Community College’s diverse student body. Under the direction of the campus Dean of Students, the various Student Services offices focus on realizing the full potential of each student.

It is part of SUNY Erie’s vision to be recognized as a college of excellence that fosters holistic growth for all of its students and as an educational setting where academic achievement and social development are equally valued. To reach this goal, the college will provide students the opportunity to realize self-worth, enhance ethical consciousness, exhibit interpersonal skills, respect cultural diversity, demonstrate critical thinking skills, make informed decisions about their future, demonstrate employment-related skills, function as responsible/productive citizens, enrich others through shared experience, and value lifelong learning.

SUNY Erie has developed a comprehensive network of support services to facilitate the academic experience and enrich students’ lives. Information is included on admissions, financial aid, counseling, career planning and placement, registration and records, facilities, athletics, student services and activities. Prior to the registration for classes, all new students will be invited to a Student Orientation where they can become familiar with SUNY Erie.

Auxiliary Services Corporation of Erie Community College

The Auxiliary Services Corporation of Erie Community College is a not-for-profit college service organization that also serves as the fiduciary for the disbursement of student activity and student life fees. Activity fees are used to fund Student Government, Clubs, Opportunity Programs and a wide variety of student events and services. Student Life Fees are used to fund Athletics, Commencement and student engagement initiatives approved through the Provost’s and Deans’ offices. Auxiliary Services also operates college dining services and childcare centers. The Auxiliary Services Board is comprised of faculty, students and administrators. Regularly scheduled meetings are open to all members of the college community. 

Bookstores

Auxiliary Services is the liaison for Follett Higher Education Group, the corporation that is contracted to operate the college bookstores at North and City campuses.  Purchases of books and supplies for South campus can be made through the North bookstore.  Convenient on-line shopping is available for North and South orders at www.eccnshop.com or for City orders at www.ecctyshop.com.  A textbook rental program is also available through the campus bookstores.  Rental pricing can save students approximately 65 percent off the cost of a new book.  Students can register for the rental program at www.eccnshop.com or www.ecctyshop.com  prior to visiting the stores or ordering online.

ASC/SUNY Erie Child Care

SUNY Erie is aware of the difficulties students face in juggling the responsibilities of school, work and parenting. The Auxiliary Services Corporation serves these students’ needs by providing quality, affordable childcare services at our City and North campuses. South students are eligible to use either center. Students are eligible for subsidies to assist them with childcare tuition. Registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to returning students.

City Campus Child Care Center

The City Child Development Center accepts children from six weeks through Pre-K, enabling parents to study and work while offering the finest quality early childhood experience for children.

Hours of service are:

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

For more information regarding scheduling and fees, please contact the City Campus Child Development Center at (716) 851-1152.

North Campus Mary Lou Rath Child Development Center

The North Campus Child Development Center was named after New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath due to her efforts in the funding and development of the Center. She worked to obtain a $175,000 grant from the state to fund construction costs and provided an additional $15,000 to ensure that the project could be completed.

The North Center provides the highest quality childcare education and programming for infants 6 weeks through Pre-K children.

Hours of service are:

7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 

For more information regarding scheduling and fees, please contact the Mary Lou Rath Child Development Center at North Campus at (716) 851-1437.

 

Campus Dining

Auxiliary Services Corporation provides a variety of options to serve the dining needs of City and North campuses including cafeterias, vending, and catering services. The South Campus has a contracted Market convenience store with beverage, snack and freshly prepared or frozen meal options. Contact the Auxiliary Services Office at (716) 851-1260 for specific hours of operation. Auxiliary Services cafeterias accept cash, credit card and Kats Kash declining meal plan cards (available through the ASC Business Office or through the ecc.edu website link under Campus Dining  purchased online).  The Market at South accepts cash on a market account card, credit cards or Apple Pay.

 

In addition, the Culinary Arts program at City Campus operates a student run E.M. Statler Dining Room, and a kiosk Café. At North campus, the Hospitality Management students operate the Statler Erie Room, the Sweet Shop and the cafeteria in the Fall semester.

Career Services

The Career Services office is available to assist students and alumni with career exploration and the job search process.

Undecided about which SUNY Erie program is a good fit for you? Start by taking a career assessment. The Focus 2 career assessment and Career Coach are designed to help students explore their interests, skills, and abilities as they related to various career options. These tools also reflect the educational requirements, median salaries, and industry demand associated with careers.

Looking for a job or internship? The office assists with writing resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, the application process, and employer networking. Visit Handshake to see available job and internship opportunities.

You can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment by contacting the Career Services office at careerservices@ecc.edu or 716-851-1183. More resources can be found at www.ecc.edu/crc.

College Safety and Security

The College Safety and Security Office provides for the safety and well-being of students and staff, as well as tending to the security of the buildings, grounds, and equipment of the college. The College Safety and Security Office also maintains a Lost and Found Department. Campus safety and security is important to all members of the campus community. Information regarding campus crime statistics and offenses (from the past three years) can be accessed by visiting our College Safety link at https://issuu.com/sunyecc/stacks/338a64f9620144229e7a9182c8262b5e or by visiting the US Department of Education website at https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/institution/search.

Student Access Center

Erie Community College’s Student Access Center assists students with documented disabilities in accordance with the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504. The Student Access Center staff works with each student to acquire appropriate accommodation and/or equal access to college programs, activities and services.  

Documentation of disability is the basis for all accommodations. Documentation must demonstrate that the individual has a disability as defined by Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 and delineate the impact which that disability has on one or more major life activities (vision, hearing, thinking, mobility, communicating etc). SUNY Erie has the right to make the final decision as to what accommodations are appropriate and effective.  All information provided pertinent to the individual’s disability is confidential and is maintained by the Student Access Center office. Section 504 stipulates that a college is not responsible for providing items or services of a personal nature such as attendant services, wheelchairs, hearing aids, or other personal assisting devices. SUNY Erie has no special classes, programs, or fees exclusively for students with disabilities. Individuals who require accommodations must self-identify. Checking the box on the SUNY application or a call from a parent or high school or agency representative is insufficient. Within a college setting, students with disabilities are personally responsible for meeting with the campus Student Access counselor to identify needs, provide appropriate disability documentation and arrange for accommodations or academic adjustments.  

Students with disabilities must, with or without accommodation, fulfill the same admission, course, behavior, and program completion requirements as non-disabled students. Admission of any student to an individual program of study is contingent upon successful completion of the college’s Placement Test. Individuals who require accommodations for the Placement Test due to a disability may arrange for such assistance by contacting the Student Access Center on the campus where they plan to take the test prior to their test date. 

Students must make arrangements for accommodations for courses by contacting the Student Access counselor each semester.  Accommodations are made on an individual and as-needed basis. Examples of frequently approved accommodations include extended time for testing, alternate testing location, alternate format for print materials (audio, large print, Braille), access to class notes, readers, computer access, and sign language interpreters. All accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner with the campus counselor. (Contact information below.) 

Students who feel that they have been discriminated against due to their disability should first contact the Student Access Center at (716) 851-1832. For more information about the specific SUNY Erie campus services available for students with disabilities, contact: 

 

  City Campus: 121 Ellicott Street, Room 266
(716) 851-1189
     
  North Campus: Library, Room D114
(716) 851-1487
     
  South Campus: Building 3, Room 3120
(716) 851-1933

 

Student Health Services

The Student Health Services Office at each campus has a registered nurse on staff. Students may seek first aid for on-campus sickness/injury, consultation and/or referrals. Information on accident and health insurance policies is also available. For evening hours, students should check with their campus Student Health Office:

  City Campus: Room 228
(716) 851-1199
     
  North Campus: Room S152
(716) 851-1499
     
  South Campus: Room 5109
(716) 851- 1699


Immunization Requirements

Erie Community College reserves the right to withdraw students that do not meet New York State Department of Health and SUNY regulations as outlined.  Withdrawn students will not be able to return to the College that semester, except for those that return to compliance for the COVID-19 vaccination. 

Additional information concerning college policies for students deemed as non-compliant is available in the College Nurses’ offices on each Campus.  Specific questions about college procedures regarding students who are deemed as non-compliant can be directed to the Dean of Students; please see the College Policies section of this catalog for New York State Law on MMR and Meningitis immunizations.

Mandatory Immunization Information-MMR and Meningitis

The law requires that students be withdrawn from college if proof of immunity for both MMR and meningitis is not provided within thirty (30) days of the start of classes.  Students who have been withdrawn can attend the following semester, once completion of New York State immunization requirements have been satisfied. 

Every student born on or after January 1st, 1957 or later and is enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours at an accredited college or university is required by New York State Public Health Law 2165 to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.  Proof of immunity compliance is accomplished by providing official documentation of two (2) measles immunizations, one (1) mumps immunization, and one (1) rubella immunization or by submitting serological proof of immunity. 

New York State Public Health Law 2167 also requires colleges to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination to all students regardless of age.  Students are encouraged to review the materials provided to them.  The Confidential Health Form must be completed and returned to your Campus Health Office indicating proof of vaccination or declination of immunization. 

COVID-19 Vaccination

As per SUNY, all students matriculated or non-matriculated who are registered for in person courses are required to be fully vaccinated (2 doses of a 2-dose series vaccine or 1 dose of a 1 dose series) for the COVID-19 virus. Any student not in compliance with this mandate at the start of each semester, and without an approved medical or religious exemption, will be withdrawn from in-person courses.

International Student Services

International Student Services (ISS) is a welcoming and supportive environment for all international students, assisting in the transition to life and studies in the United States. The office provides information and advice on U.S. immigration regulations, college procedures, academic progress, cultural adjustment, practical issues of life in the United States, and opportunities for involvement on campus.

North Campus: International Student Services
Gleasner Building: Room 155
Phone: (716) 851-1359     Fax: (716) 851-1404
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
 

Please note: Admission to certain competitive academic programs of limited availability (such as nursing or dental hygiene) include additional requirements and deadlines. For more information, please review the Admissions & Registration  section of this catalog.

Library Resource Centers

We provide space to create, tools to explore, and inspiration to succeed.

The Library Resource Centers (LRCs) serve as the information center for SUNY Erie, providing resources and services focused on the needs of students, faculty and staff. The library helps students attain their educational goals and develop life-long information skills.

Library Services

  • research help
  • information and library skills instruction
  • course textbooks and materials
  • borrowing from other institutions
  • group and quiet study areas
  • computers, scanning, copies and printing

Spaces to Create

The LRCs strive to provide spaces that are supportive and engaging. We have group and quiet study areas within each library. There are also spaces for student parents to work on their studies while also engaging their children. Library classrooms provide spaces for information literacy and library skills instruction. Computer labs are available for research, writing, printing and scanning. North Campus also has a Maker Lab for students to mindfully create personal and educational projects.

Tools to explore

The LRCs provide the SUNY Erie community with access to books, eBooks, databases, streaming videos, and DVDs. Students, faculty, and staff have access to online resources on and off-campus via the LRC’s website. Access off-campus requires the use of the college’s single sign-on username and password. The library also lends materials from other libraries through the library’s catalog, Primo.

Inspiration to succeed

Librarians are available to provide research assistance when the library is open. When the library is closed, information assistance is provided through AskUs 24/7. Appointments for one-on-one assistance can be made through our Book-a-Librarian program. Faculty can ask for instruction or have a librarian embedded into their courses for additional student research assistance.
 

City Campus Library North Campus Library South Campus Library
121 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-1074
6205 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 851-1273
4041 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716) 851-1772

 

Student Transportation (Parking and Bus)

Erie Community College addresses student access and transportation in a broader context. Specifically, students pay a Transportation Fee included in their tuition and fees. SUNY Erie provides a Parking Permit for its on campus and limited leased parking lots, as well as a NFTA Metro unlimited universal bus and rail pass from September 1 - May 31st, to eligible students enrolled in credit courses. Most part-time or full-time matriculated or non-matriculated students, regardless of campus location or credit hours, will be charged a fee of $80.00 for each Fall and Spring term. Students are charged a $40.00 fee for summer sessions. Students attending Fall, Spring and Summer could pay transportation fees up to $200.00 a year.

The transportation fee supports the college to provide greater access to all campuses, to take courses or attend student activities or athletic events. 

Students will receive the following benefits from the transportation fee: 

  • NFTA Metro unlimited universal bus and rail pass
  • parking permit for any of SUNY Erie’s parking lots
  • expanded blue light emergency telephones at all campuses
  • parking lot improvements
  • campus shuttle

Hours and Locations:

City Campus: Transportation Office
Room 165
(716) 270-5629

North Campus: Welcome Center
Room G122
(716) 851-1322

South Campus:
Student Transportation, Building 5
Room 5212
(716) 270-5628

For more information about student transportation or how to obtain passes for NFTA bus pass program or parking, visit https://www.ecc.edu/student-support/parking-transportation.html 

Student Activities and Clubs

Learning inside the classroom is only one facet of a student’s education at SUNY Erie. Work with the student activities office gives students first-hand experience in planning and publicizing an event, managing a budget, recruiting volunteers and being a leader. Many students have found their first job after college through contacts made during their club’s activities.

Through the use of a percentage of student activity fees, the Student Government Association also supports student clubs and organizations and funds a variety of campus events and services that enhance the quality of student life. Officers are elected and/or appointed in the spring semester for the following academic year. To find out whom the current adviser is for a particular club, call the campus Student Activity Office or the Student Government Association. Students who participate in these activities take advantage of precious opportunities to meet new friends and to make college a more memorable experience. Studies show that some of graduates’ fondest memories of college are in some way connected to their affiliation with a student club or organization or the work that they do outside of the classroom. 

City Campus
Post: Room 276
Phone: (716) 270-5325
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

North Campus
Spring Student Center: Room 12A
Phone: (716) 851-1108
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

South Campus
Building 5: Room 5205
Phone: (716) 851-1662
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association of Erie Community College is composed of elected and appointed student representatives who provide a forum for student input, assist in the coordination of student activities, and work closely with the college administration in developing policies which affect students. All students are encouraged to participate in either the Student Government Association or in one or more of the co-curricular clubs. A list of clubs is outlined in this publication. Any questions should be directed to the Student Activities Office at your campus.

Student Support Centers and Counseling Services

Support centers and counseling services help to create a holistic approach to education by addressing the life-skill needs of all students. Our services are designed to assist students in making informed decisions affecting their future by addressing such issues as; goal setting, major and career options, class scheduling, time management, four-year transfer, and preparing for graduation. We also explain certain college policies such as withdrawing from classes, academic dismissal, appeals, and curriculum changes. Counselors help students to achieve academic, career and personal goals. Counselors are available to discuss student issues that may be interfering with their academic performance and educational success. Assistance is provided in accessing campus and community resources.

Academic Counseling

Academic counseling is available to students who need assistance exploring curriculum, discussing academic standards, mapping a road to graduation, and transfer. 

Admissions Counseling

Admissions counselors assist with the exploration of degree and certificate program options. Assistance is provided to students returning to SUNY Erie and those requesting campus or curriculum changes. A bilingual Admissions counselor is available at City Campus. For contact information, please visit Admissions.

Educational Opportunity Program

The Educational Opportunity Program provides college access and support to historically educationally and financially disadvantaged students. Counselors, mentors, and tutors provide assistance to students to make a successful transition to SUNY Erie. Students must apply for and meet program qualifications as a first semester student prior to the application deadline. Visit Educational Opportunity Program for more information.

Mentoring

Mentors assist students with academic advisement, course selection, persisting in college, and promotion of student skills for academic and personal success.

Student Access Center

The Student Access Center strives to provide equal educational opportunity and participation for students with disabilities. The counselor for students with disabilities determines qualified disability status and assists students in obtaining appropriate accommodations. Technical assistance and labs are also available. Learn more about their services at Student Access Center.

Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors are currently enrolled students serving as liaisons between fellow students and the community.  Ambassadors assist with Open House, Orientation, campus tours, and other events.

Transfer Counseling

Transfer Counselors assist with academic and career goals, the transfer credit evaluation process, college articulation, and dual admissions agreements. You can find more information at Transferring To and From SUNY Erie.

Locations of Student Support Centers and Counseling Services

City Campus
45 Oak Street, Room 150

P: (716) 851-1188

 

North Campus
Building S, Room 213

P: (716) 851-1488

 

South Campus
Building 5, Room 5200

P: (716) 851-1688

Tutoring

Counselors and mentors provide students with tutoring referrals and provide information regarding help offered by academic and student services departments. On campus tutoring is free of charge.