Frequently Asked Questions

Academics   Miscellaneous   Oneonta Area   Orientation   Athletics   
Admission   Statistics   Financial Aid   Transportation   Computers   
Residence Life   Health Care   Campus     

Academics

1. When is the first day of Class? College Calendar
2. How many credits do I need to transfer? 24 credits to be seriously considered for transfer, and at least a 2.5 grade point average is required (2.8 for Education majors).
3. Do I have to declare a major? You can choose a major when you apply, or come in undeclared and make the decision when you arrive. A student is required to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year. All transfer students must declare a major when they apply to Oneonta.
4. Whom do I notify if I must miss the first days of classes? You will need to speak with your advisor and the Student Development Office.
5. Can I change my major before I get here? Yes- it is common for students to change their major several times during their course work. You can contact the Admissions Office at 800-SUNY-123 to do so prior to attending.
6. Can I drop calculus, chemistry, etc? Depending on your course of study, and if you have a full regents program- yes. One should speak with their guidance counselor and admissions counselor before making any changes to your schedule.
7. Do I have to take math and a foreign language? As a part of Oneonta's General Education (Liberal Arts) requirements there will be a foreign language and a math requirement. There will be several other General Education requirements to fulfill as well.
8. When do I get my class schedule? When you come for orientation (in July or August) you will get your class schedule.
9. When are finals? College Calendar
10. Is there an attendance policy? Yes or no; it depends on the individual professor.
11. Do you have tutors for extra help? Yes. We offer free tutoring through our Center for Academic Development & Enrichment.
12. How do I know if classes are cancelled? Generally there will be notification via your campus phone and email address. It will also be announced on the radio.  If a professor cancels a class they will let you know.

Miscellaneous

1. Can I have pets on campus? Only underwater pets are allowed.
2. When is Home coming and Family Weekend? College Calendar
3. What are the fees all about? They include Health Insurance, Student Comprehensive Fee which covers, Activity Card, Athletics, Health Center, Technology Fee, and College Fee.
4. When are the breaks?  College Calendar
5. How do I get my PIN number? You will receive it once your SUNY Application arrives. This PIN number will be crucial during the admissions process; you will also use it once you are a student here. If you lose it prior to being a student you can call the Admissions Office.
6. What are the codes- CEEB, FAFSA, and TAP? CEEB (2542) code is the code used to designate a college or a high School. FAFSA is Free Application for Student Aid – each college has a 6 digit code (002847). TAP is tuition assistance program and each school has a 4 digit code for that.
7. Is there a Jewish student organization on campus? Yes. The Student Association funds an organization called JSO (Jewish Student Organization). Hillel is working  to provoke a renaissance of Jewish life. The Hillel chapter of the State University College at Oneonta offers students the opportunity to participate in Jewish culture and community service. All members of the SUNY Oneonta campus are welcome to all meetings and events.
8. Do they offer kosher meal plans? We can make arrangements for special diets if necessary.  In general, it is not a "kosher kitchen."
9. Can I get a job on campus? We offer jobs through the Work Study Program based on your financial needs, or a student could go to the Career Development Center.
10. What are the services for disabilities? Depending on the disability we offer: shared notes, note takers, testing accommodations, textbooks on tape, etc. Student Disability Services has a website.

Oneonta Area

1. What are the banks in the area? Wilber National Bank, Key Bank, NBT,  and Sidney Federal Credit Union.
2. What is there to do in town? There is a Mall, Movie Theatres, cafes, and a number of community events.
3. How far is town from the campus? About 5 minutes- it can be walked or we have a free Bus Service for all students.
4. What is the population of Oneonta? The population  is approximately 30,000 including town, city and students.
5. How much snow does Oneonta get? We get a lot of snow-but the roads on campus are kept clear by our maintenance staff and the town is very good about keeping them clear also.

Orientation

1. Do I have to come to orientation? Yes- this is when you will choose your classes and get your student ID and meal plan information. Orientation is offered in July as well as August.
2. Do I have to come to EOP Summer Academy? If you are an accepted EOP student and wish to attend Oneonta Yes- it will prepare you for classes, as well as be a time to select your classes and learn about our support services.

Athletics

1. What Division are the sports? All teams compete at the NCAA Division III level.
2. When are try-outs? Tryouts are the beginning of each semester. If you are interested in playing a sport here at Oneonta, be sure to contact the appropriate head coach as soon as possible.
3. Are there intramurals? Yes, there are intramurals in the Fall and Spring semesters. You can find more information out at our intramural webpage.

Admission

1. Is an interview required? Interviews are optional and are more informative than evaluative- if you have some specific questions a counselor is available to answer them.
2. What are the admissions requirements? The average GPA for the fall 2007 freshman class was a 90.2 and the average SAT score was an 1120 (Math & Critical Reading only).  Although these are not minimums, for fall 2008 and beyond applicants should expect to compete against an average applicant with GPA's of >90 and SAT's >1120 for admission.  In additional a full college preparatory curriculum is required. 
3. Is a portfolio/audition required for art or music? No.
4. Are there scholarships? Merit based scholarships are available and will be awarded once you are accepted depending on your academic performance compared to the overall applicant pool- there is no separate application and awards are mailed out in late January. To be a strong candidate for a scholarship students should have a 92+ GPA and 1200 SAT(critical reading and math only). It is not guaranteed a student will get a scholarship with these scores.
5. Can I apply online and how do I go about doing it? You can visit the SUNY website to apply on line or you can apply online through the Common Application.
6. What score do I need to have AP Credit? You will need a 3 or better on the final exam to earn AP Credit.
7. Do I need to verify enrollment for Health Insurance? Yes, it is necessary to verify enrollment for Health Insurance. Letters are available from the Registrar's Office if you need them.
8. Do I have to register for Open House? It is strongly recommended.
9. Can I have a Sunday tour? No Sunday tours are available, however a Walking Guided Tour Book is available at University Police, and we do offer Information Sessions on specific Saturdays.
10. Do you accept students who have GEDs  or are Home Schooled? Yes, depending on academic scores and completed courses.
11. Do you accept IB credit or CLEP? Yes.

Statistics

1. What is the student to faculty ratio? 20 students to one professor.
2. What is the male to female ratio? 40% males to every 60% females
3. What is the percentage of minority students? The percentage of minority students is 10%.
4. What is the percentage of minority faculty? The percentage of minority faculty is 20%
5. What is the percentage of International Students? The percentage of international students is .73%.

Financial Aid

1. Do I have to return the bill if I am getting financial aid? Yes – your bill will not have the financial aid portion deducted until your bill is returned.
2. When do I have to apply for Financial Aid? Once you have filed your income tax – you can start the financial aid process. Anytime after January 1st.
3. How do I do an online Financial Aid application? You can go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to fill out the form.

Transportation

1. Can I have a car on Campus? A student must have 56+ credits (typically junior status) to purchase a parking permit. 
2. Are there buses that go downstate for breaks and holidays? Yes, there is a local company that provides charter buses to several locations downstate for breaks and holidays. Tickets are sold on campus on specific dates for this service.  These buses pick up and drop off on campus.
3. How do students get to campus from the bus station? We have a public transportation system that runs from the bus station to campus every ½ hour from 7am to 2am. There is no charge to use the local bus from campus to downtown.
4. How far is Oneonta from Cortland? It is about 100 miles.
5. How far is Oneonta from New York City? It is about 220 miles to New York City.
6. Can I take a train to Oneonta? No, you must "bus" it.

Computers

1. What is the number of computer labs on campus? There is a computer lab in each residence hall, plus several throughout the academic buildings on campus- they number over 30.
2. How accessible are the computers? The computer rooms in the residence halls are open 24 hours a day and are accessible with your student ID card.  Approximately 45% of students on campus bring their own computers.
3. Can I bring my own computer? Computer hookups are available in each room. By no means is it required or necessary to bring your own computer.
4. Is there any wireless connectivity? Yes, the College at Oneonta is a fully wireless campus.
5. How many ports are available in each room? There is an Ethernet port for each bed in each room.
6. Is there Internet/email access on campus? Students can access web browsers, email and most popular software applications via the campus server.  Off campus students will receive a dial-up modem account with the same basic services.

Campus

1. How safe is the campus? In a recent study Oneonta was rated the #1 safest college town in New York and among the top ten safest college towns in America. We have a University Police escort program, a card access system and emergency blue lights throughout the campus. The University Police Office also maintains a website where all reported on campus incidents are listed.
2. Is Oneonta a party school? Oneonta is a dry campus, meaning alcohol is not allowed anywhere on campus, regardless of a person's age; every effort is being made to provide educational programs regarding the risks of drinking and drug use.  Incidences on campus are not taken lightly, and are brought before the disciplinary board.
3. What is there to do at night? Oneonta’s College Union Activities Council (CUAC) plans several evening activities throughout the year.  Bands, speakers, comedians, and movies are some of the activities.  Musical performances, talent shows, fashion shows, and theatrical performances are also put on by the students.  Clubs also plan several events.
4. What clubs are on campus? The Student Association funds all clubs and organizations on our campus. There are over 80 clubs students can get involved in. You can always start your own club!

Health Care

1. What happens when I get sick? Students can make an appointment at the Health Center during regular business hours.  The city of Oneonta also has a hospital, A.O. Fox Hospital with an emergency room.
2. Are their counseling services available? yes, to learn more you can visit this site, health and wellness center.
3. Do I need immunizations to attend? It is required that all students fill out a health information form.

Residence Life/Halls

1. Are there sprinklers in the residence halls? With the exception of Higgins Hall which has sprinklers throughout, there are sprinklers in the garbage rooms and cooking areas only.  All residence halls meet all current fire regulations.
2. When do I get my roommate’s name? After you pay your housing deposit, the office of Housing will mail you a PIN number. You will then be able to fill out a residence hall questionnaire online.  You should receive your rooming information in July.
3. How often do they clean my room? You are responsible for your own room.  In a suite style  building the bathrooms are cleaned once a week if you have removed all your personal belongings.  In all other building styles the bathrooms and public areas are cleaned daily.
4. Do I have to live on campus? Freshman and Sophomores are required to live on campus, unless they live locally with a parent or guardian and wish to commute.
5. Is housing guaranteed for all four years? Yes, housing is guaranteed for all four years for freshmen ONLY. Transfer students, housing is not guaranteed.
6. Can I ship stuff to campus before I arrive? Yes, but, make sure you do it close to opening day, and that you have the exact address of the building you will be living in.
7. Can I rent a refrigerator? Yes- at the beginning of the year a private company will be available for rental of refrigerators. 
8. Can I have a microwave/toaster oven? Microwaves are permitted but need to be registered at your hall's main desk at check-in. Heating devices with an open coil (hot pots, toaster ovens, etc.) are not permitted. All residence halls have a kitchen.
9. Do you offer single sex residence halls? All residence halls are coed.  Some halls are arranged male or female by floor while others are male or female by unit.
10. Do you have a freshman only residence hall? As a part of the First Year Experience (FYE) living option, Littell, Golding and Wilber Halls house only freshman. All other buildings house a variety of different classes.  We find by mixing classes it encourages a sense of community on campus.
11. Is there a guest policy? Students are permitted to have overnight guests with written permission of roommates and quad mates. Guests must be registered in the main office of the residence hall. See the Residence Hall License for more details.
12. Can I live with a friend? When you fill out your residence hall questionnaire on line, there is the option of requesting a roommate.  He or she would have to fill out the same request form.  There is no guarantee.
13. Is there a curfew? There is no curfew.  Students are expected to abide by campus quiet hours from 11pm to 7 am.  Some residence halls maintain 24 hour quiet hours.  During finals week the entire campus is expected to maintain 24 hour quiet hours.
14. What is key/card access? Students are issued a student ID when they come to orientation.  This ID serves as a library card, meal card, and access to their residence hall.  After 11 pm each night the access doors are shut off except for the main lobby door. Only students with proper key access are permitted into the residence hall. Any student who does not reside in that hall will have to check in.