suny potsdam new student orientation 2011

CHEM hmwk -DUECALL

SUNY Potsdam

New Student

Lindsey being Lindsey

PARTY in the PLAZA ‘10

awwww....MY OL’s!

= Freshmen

= Transfers

There are two types of new students, freshmen and transfers. Please look for these symbols and follow the proper steps to ensure you complete all of the necessary steps.

Orientation 2011 Deposit Package 1

SUNY Potsdam

Freshmen & TransFers new sTuDenT CheCklisT

q Complete step 1: Register on BearPAWS (http://bearpaws.potsdam.edu) to attend orientation

on Sat., January 22, 2011. Questions? Contact First Year Transitions at 315-267-2580.

Freshmen: Choose Transitions Conference

Transfers: Choose either the online orientation or the Jan. 22 “Transitions Conference.”

q Complete step 2: Complete the mandatory health forms found on BearPAWS and

mail them in as soon as possible (as per the New York State Dept. of Health you will be

dis-enrolled from your classes at SUNY Potsdam if you do not complete these forms).

Questions? Contact Student Health Services at 315-267-2377.

q Complete step 3: Complete the online Housing Registration form on BearPAWS.

Questions? Contact the Center for Campus Life at 315-267-2350.

q Complete step 4: Sign up for a Meal Plan and Bear Express on BearPAWS.

Questions? Contact PACES at 315-267-2658.

q Complete step 5: Sign up for a MicroFridge (optional) on BearPAWS.

Questions? Contact PACES at 315-267-3097.

q Complete step 6: Order your books online to have them pre-packaged.

Questions? E-mail Carlie Harper at the College Store: [email protected]

We have also included a 2011 Academic Calendar and a campus map.

You will receive a SUNY Potsdam Undergraduate Catalog at orientation.

Please complete all of this information as soon as possible. If you have any

questions, please contact the Office of Admissions toll-free at 1-877-Potsdam.

2 www.potsdam.edu/support/firstyear/transitions

Students Move In Sat. & Sun., Jan. 22-23Classes Begin Monday, January 24Last Day to Add/Drop Friday, January 28Early Alerts Due Friday, March 4Spring Recess Begins Friday, March 4 (10 pm)Classes Resume Monday, March 14 (8 am)Last Day to Withdraw Friday, March 25Last Day to Elect S/U Friday, March 25April Recess Begins Wednesday, April 20 (10 pm)Classes Resume Monday, April 25 (8 am)Last Day of Classes Friday, May 13Academic Preparation Sat. & Sun., May 14 & 15Final Examinations Mon.-Fri., May 16-20Honors Convocation Saturday, May 21Master’s Commencement Saturday, May 21Bachelor’s Commencement Sunday, May 22Final Grades Due Wednesday, May 25 (10 am)

spring 2011

what happens at the Transitions Conference?At our “Transitions Conference,” you will have the chance to meet other transfer students and you will recieve detailed informa-tion about our General Education Program and how to declare majors and/or minors. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with our directors from Financial Aid and Student Accounts. Finally, we will end with a fun-filled interactive Q&A session with the orientation team, and you will receive lots of free SUNY Potsdam gifts. As a transfer student, and you choose to go online and take the “virtual orientation,” you will visit a variety of campus Web sites and learn about our helpful resources to meet student needs. This tour takes approximately 90 minutes and is followed by a mandatory quiz which you have to pass with a grade of 70% or more before you can meet with an advisor to register for classes.

Note: The online orientation option is for transfer students only.

what time does the Transitions Conference begin?Check-in begins at 9 a.m. on Jan. 22, 2011 on the 2nd floor of Thatcher Hall, Barrington Drive.

what is the cost and how do i pay? • Student Orientation Fees (online or Transitions Conference) will be included in your College bill. The fee is $35. • Guest fees of $35/person have to be paid online.


Choosing sessionsFreshmen: Log-on to BearPAWS and sign up for the spring Transitions Conference: Sat., January 22, 2011

Transfers: Log-on to BearPAWS and sign up for either the online orientation or the Transitions Conference on Jan. 22, 2011. If you sign up for the online orientation, go to www.potsdam.edu/support/firstyear and click on the “I. Online Orientation for Transfer Students.” When you are ready for the quiz, log on to our “Blackboard” learning system using your CCA (campus computer account, username and password).

BearPaws log-On instructionsType in: http://bearpaws.potsdam.eduHere you can register for orientation; fill out mandatory health forms; sign up for housing, meal plans and a micro-fridge!• Use your Campus Computer Account (CCA), Username, and Password.• Go to the “New Student” link and choose an orientation date that will work for you and your guests.• Print your confirmation page and bring it to orientation.

Note: Think carefully about your online choices. After you register online for orientation, housing, and/or your meal plan, you will need to contact the appropriate office to make any changes.

Fees:Freshman orientation Fee: $35 – this fee will be included in your first College bill. There is no need to pre-pay.Guest orientation Fee: $35/person. Guest fees are not included in the student’s College bill. To simplify your registration process, payment must be received prior to the start of the session.

Transfers Orientation Fee: $35 Transfers Orientation guest fee: $35

Payment Options for Guest Fees:• Pay with a credit card on our secure website (BearPAWS).• Payment by check or money order payable to PACES 611. Please note the student name and Potsdam ID number on all checks/

money orders. Mail to the Office of First Year Transitions, SUNY Potsdam, 128 Sisson Hall, Potsdam, NY 13676.

all sTuDenTs: aCaDemiC aDvisingFollow these steps:• After you sign up for the Transitions Conference or complete the Online Orientation and Quiz and submit your Health Forms, you

need to contact the Student Success Center at 315-267-2580 to set up an advising appointment to register for your classes.• Advisors will start registering students for classes on Monday, November 22, 2010.• Appointments last approximately 30 - 45 minutes.• Keep in mind the course registration process is on a first-come, first-serve basis, thus we strongly encourage you to follow all the

“orientation” steps and make an appointment as soon as possible.

all sTuDenTs: regisTer FOr OrienTaTiOn


BeFOre sTuDenTs Can regisTer FOr Classes, all sTuDenTs musT Fill OuT The manDaTOrY healTh FOrms.

• Log into BearPAWS • Go to the “New Student” link • Click on the Mandatory Health Requirements link • Follow all the steps listed on this Web site

Note: New York State Deptartment of Public Health requires that these forms be filled out and mailed to the Office of Student Health Services before orientation begins.

Questions about health forms? Call Student Health Services at 315-267-2377 or e-mail the office directly at [email protected]

some of the highlights of Orientation 2011 include:

• A welcoming and friendly environment where you can get

your questions answered

• An introduction to the academic and social life of the

campus, including a wide array of sources

• Meeting your classmates and making new friends

• Individual attention from a variety of caring faculty,

students and administrators

• Detailed information about our First-Year Programs

• Superior academic advising where you will be assisted in

registering for your classes

•Excellent programs and activities for you and your family

all sTuDenTs: healTh FOrms


Prior to making your housing preferences, please refer to our Web page at www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/reshalls/ and click on the “Residence Life” link for detailed information. All students must indicate their housing preferences and/or apply for an exemption to live off campus (available online). Room assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Since space in many areas is limited, we advise you to submit housing preferences as soon as possible.

Note: If you have any physical conditions or concerns that impact your housing needs, please send a letter with supporting medical documentation to the Center for Campus Life. Your room assignment and roommate information will be viewable on BearPAWS beginning January 11, 2011.

all sTuDenTs: regisTer FOr hOusing

live On Campus • Log into BearPAWS. • Go to the “New Student Services” link. • Go to the “New Student Housing Registration”

link. • Read/agree to Housing License and submit. • Indicate your housing preference from the drop

down menu. • If you have a roommate request, enter your

desired roommate’s student Potsdam ID or social security number in the field provided. Your de-sired roommate must enter your student Potsdam ID or social security number on their form as well.

• “Submit” your preferences.

live Off Campus • Apply for a housing exemption • Log into BearPAWS. • Go to the “New Student” link. • Go to the “New Student Housing Registration”

link. • Indicate that you will not be residing on campus

and continue on to complete the exemption form and submit.

• You will receive an e-mail with the decision of your request for exemption.


Keeping in mind that there are approximately 110 days in the academic semester, how many meals you choose to have avail-able on your meal plan is an individual decision. When choosing what plan is best for you, think about how much time you expect to spend away from campus as well as your eating habits.

Campus policy requires all first year students to purchase a meal plan. For detailed descriptions about plans and their terms and conditions, go to the Dining link on the SUNY Potsdam homepage under student life and review ’10-’11 Meal Plan Options for residents.

Bear Express: Separate from a meal plan, this debit account allows students to purchase goods both on campus and selected off campus locations. Purchases are subject to NYS sales tax and at the end of the academic year, any unused balance (in excess of $20) will be credited to your student account (withstanding any unpaid balance) and a refund will be issued. Balances can be rolled over from semester to semester, but not academic year to academic year.

Meal and Bear Express plans are priced and contracted each semester. You will automatically be enrolled in the same meal plan and Bear Express Plan for the spring semester unless you change it on BearPaws before the start of the next semester.To estimate what you should place on your account, go to www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/Bearexpress/BearestChart/cfm

Choose a meal plan and Bear express account amount: • Log into BearPAWS • Go to the “New Student” link • Go to the “Meal Plan & Bear Express Registration” • Read/agree to Meal Plan License & click submit • Select your resident status • Select your meal plan for the semester • Select Bear Express Amount for the semester • Click save • Changes may be made to your meal plan & Bear Express account until the first day of classes

all sTuDenTs: meal Plans anD Bear exPress


PACES offers MicroFridge appliance rentals to all residential students. The MicroFridge is a combination refrigerator/freezer and 600-watt microwave oven. Delivered to your dorm room, the unit is available for rent by the semester or academic year, on a first-come, first-served basis.

We recommend that you contact your roommate prior to determine if a unit is needed. Units may be rented by one person only. The unit rental cost is $125 per academic year or $75 per semester. The unit will be delivered to your dorm room if the rental payment and the $20 deposit fee are received two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

For more information visit: www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/reshalls/Campusliving101/microfridge.cfm

microfridge rental: • Go to http: bookstore.potsdam.edu • Go to the Merchandise link • Click on Microfridge rental • Complete Steps • E-mail confirmation will be sent to you upon successful completion of form

all sTuDenTs: miCrOFriDge renTal


Our online ordering system goes live on January 11, 2011 and remains active until we reach storage capacity. Books are always available for purchase at The College Store at the start of every semester. Online ordering assures your books will be prepack-aged and processes your payment, (includes a $4.50 handling charge) so you eliminate waiting in lines. Books may be paid for with Bear Express or Credit Card. Please state your preference for NEW or USED books. We cannot guarantee all NEW or all USED, but will do our best to fill your request. USED books generally are 25% off the new book price. There are not always enough USED books for everyone so it is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your order will be filled before books go on sale in the bookstore. You will be notified as to when and where to pick up your books via e-mail.

The College Store carries a complete selection of required textbooks and support materials, a textbook buy back program and a full inventory of school supplies. They operate a dorm shop on campus for your convenience when you arrive in the fall. Visit the store at http:bookstore.potsdam.edu

Order Textbooks online • On January 11, 2011 • Go to http:bookstore.potsdam.edu • Go to the “Textbook” link • Choose your courses from your class schedule • Pay with BearExpress or credit card • Choose FedEx delivery or pickup at bookstore • You will receive an e-mail confirmation about where and when to pick up your books

all sTuDenTs: OrDer TexTBOOks

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Racquette R

iver

Pierrepont Ave. (Rt. 56)

Barrington Dr.

Lehman P

ark

Bay St.

Main St.

Governeur Dr.

Tupper Lake Dr.

Outer Main St.

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Athletic F

ields

Minerva P

laza

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Marshall

Park

Potsdam Dr.

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1 Raymond Hall/Adm

issions 2 Carson Hall

3

Morey Hall

4 Flagg Hall

5 Satterlee Hall

6 Brainerd Hall/Gibson Gallery

7 Dunn Hall

8 Stowell Hall

9 Tim

erman Hall

10 Merritt Hall

11 Kellas Hall 12 Stillm

an Computing Center

13 Mac Vicar Hall

14 Crumb M

emorial Library

15 Physical Plant

JULIA E. CRANE MUSIC CENTER:

16 Bishop Hall17 Hosm

er Concert Hall18 Schuette Hall 19 Snell M

usic Theater

20 Barrington Student Union 21 Thatcher Hall 22 Lehm

an Dining Hall 23 Lehm

an Hall 24 Lehm

an Hall (south) 25 Bowm

an Hall (west) 26 Bowm

an Hall (south) 27 Bowm

an Hall (east) 28 Van Housen Hall29 Van Housen Extension/University Police 30 Draim

e Hall 31 Draim

e Hall Extension 32 Knowles Hall (south) 33 Knowles M

PR 34 Knowles Hall (north) 35 Sisson Hall

36 Maxcy Hall

37 Townhouse Complex

38 The President’s House

sunY Potsdam Orientation spring 2011

Office of First Year Transitions128 Sission Hall315-267-2580 or [email protected]: potsdamsscwww.potsdam.edu/support/firstyear/transitions

suny potsdam new student orientation 2011

Documents