The faculty and staff at Dutchess regard student services as an integral part of the
total college experience. A conscientious effort is made to know students as individuals
and to serve them as such. The Department of Student Services includes the following
offices: The Academic, Career and Transfer (ACT) Center, The Center for College Access
and Educational Opportunities, Veteran Services, Accommodative Services, Counseling
Services, Health Services, Student Activities, Residential Life and Athletics. They
are coordinated and directed by the Dean of Student Services.
Orientation for New Students
To acquaint new full-time and part-time students with the college’s educational philosophy
and standards, the College expects them to participate in an orientation program prior
to their first semester at Dutchess. Orientation each semester consists of a comprehensive
program for full- and part-time students. A club fair is held early in the semester
to encourage involvement in extracurricular activities.
The goals of orientation are:
• To acquaint new students with the College, its academic programs, facilities, resources,
services, activities, policies and organizations.
• To assist them in taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the College.
• To provide students with important information about issues and problems frequently
encountered by college students as well as the resources and approaches for effective
decision making.
Academic, Career and Transfer (ACT) Center
Academic Advisement
The ACT Center provides holistic academic advisement for students including career
and transfer planning. ACT coaches teach students the skills needed to choose a major
and design an achievable academic plan. As students continue their studies at Dutchess,
they can rely on ACT coaches to deliver academic and transfer programming that will
expose them to a variety of occupational and scholastic opportunities. All students
may utilize the ACT center. Students are urged to take the initiative in meeting early
and regularly with their coach and to take full advantage of the advisement services
that are available. It is the student’s responsibility to make certain that graduation
requirements are met.
Career Coaching
The ACT Center provides career coaching to all students at any stage in their academic
journey, as well as to community members not currently enrolled at Dutchess Community
College. Students and community members are provided an opportunity to explore their
career options through self assessments and coaching sessions. It is also encouraged
and promoted to apply for internships and volunteer opportunities for further career
exploration. The academic coaches provide guidance with choosing a major and ensuring
it aligns with a student’s career goals. Coaches also provide assistance with job
searches, writing cover letters and resumes, and honing job hunting and interviewing
skills. Career coaching sessions are tailored to the student’s individual needs and
questions.
Transfer to Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Dutchess Community College graduates transfer to a variety of colleges and universities
across the country, both public and private. Students planning to transfer should
matriculate, in general, in an associate in arts (A.A.) or an associate in science
(A.S.) degree program. These programs are designed as university-parallel programs
and offer the student the greatest opportunity to transfer with junior status, with
the expectation of completing the baccalaureate degree in an additional two years
of full-time study.
The College has a number of articulation or transfer agreements, which facilitate
the transfer of A.A. and A.S. graduates to four-year institutions. In addition, an
opportunity to continue full-time study at a four-year state university or college
is guaranteed to all New York residents who transfer directly from a SUNY two-year
college with an A.A. or A.S. degree and who meet the SUNY application requirements.
It should be noted, however, that this policy does not guarantee a student admission
to the campus or program of his/her choice. Application fee is waived for graduates
with an A.A. or A.S. degree for up to seven SUNY schools.
Students planning to seek immediate employment upon graduation usually matriculate
in an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree program. Many A.A.S. graduates,
however, transfer to senior institutions. Dutchess Community College has transfer
agreements with some senior institutions that facilitate the transfer of students
from career programs. In general, however, graduates of career programs should anticipate
needing more than two years of full-time study to complete the baccalaureate degree.
Students considering transfer are advised to attend a Transfer 101 Workshop and then
consult with a transfer advisor in the ACT Center (Student Services Center, Room 301
(845) 431-8600). Students are encouraged to attend transfer fairs and transfer events
held throughout the year.
DCC graduates have transferred to all SUNY colleges and universities, as well as to
other fine institutions such as Bard College, Columbia University, Cornell University,
Fordham University, Marist College, Mount Saint Mary College, New York University,
Pace University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Vassar College, Yale University, Tulane University, Smith College and
many others.
Center for College Access & Educational Opportunities
Educational Opportunity Program
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was established in 1968 by New York state
to assist students who show promise of academic success at the college level but may
have encountered both academic and financial disadvantages. EOP is designed to provide
eligible students with the academic and financial means necessary to ensure success
at the college level. To aid its students EOP provides tutoring, academic advisement,
career planning, personal counseling, seminars and workshops throughout the year and
financial support. Interested and eligible students should inquire as early as possible; program enrollment is limited. For more information
contact the Educational Opportunity Program office at (845) 431-8037.
TRiO
TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded Student Support Services
program, sponsored by the U.S Department of Education. TRiO provides comprehensive
academic and personal guidance to program students. TRiO staff works with students
to assist them with overcoming obstacles in higher education, such as: limited income, first generation college status, academic need, and or learning differences.
TRiO SSS provides a support network, leadership and mentoring opportunities, career
exploration and transfer options. The TRiO staff encourages students to pursue their
education regardless of socioeconomic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The office
number is (845) 431-8509.
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program
Dutchess Community College has provided a Collegiate Science and Technology Entry
Program (CSTEP) since 1987. Funded by a grant from The New York State Department of
Education, the purpose of CSTEP is to assist underrepresented minority or economically
disadvantaged students in completing pre-professional or professional education leading
to STEM or health-related careers or any field leading to professional licensure by
New York state. The services provided to students include undergraduate research experience;
summer internships; academic, career and transfer counseling; professional tutoring
in areas of science, mathematics, nursing and other fields; special workshops; field
trips to other colleges as well as educational activities. For further information
about the program and its eligibility requirements, contact the CSTEP office at (845)
431-8089 or CSTEP@sunydutchess.edu.
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
The National Science Foundation provides DCC with grant funds to support the Louis Stokes
Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program. The program’s goal is to increase
the quality and quantity of students successfully completing STEM-Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics associate degree programs and transferring to four-year
colleges. LSAMP supports sustained and comprehensive approaches that facilitate achievement
of the long-term goal of increasing the number of students who pursue higher education
in STEM fields, particularly those from populations underrepresented in STEM fields.
LSAMP provides local, national and international research opportunities, summer national
and international internships, mentoring, STEM tutoring, developmental workshops,
exposure to research conferences and tours to national laboratories. For further information
about the program and its eligibility requirements, contact the office at (845) 431-8089.
Office of Accommodative Services (OAS)
Located in the Orcutt Student Services Building, Room 103, the Office of Accommodative
Services is committed to providing equal access for all qualified individuals to its
programs and educational opportunities. The purpose of laws for post-secondary Disability
Services Offices is to eliminate barriers that would deny students with disabilities
equal access, so that students with disabilities have the same access to programs
and services as students without disabilities. A person with a disability is any person
who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activity. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, walking, seeing,
breathing, learning, working or performing manual tasks.
Academic adjustments are made, on an individual basis, to requirements for students
who have disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in program
or course activities, as well as nonacademic program or activity requirements such
as clubs, residence life and athletics.
Academic adjustments may include, but are not limited to, testing or classroom modifications,
changes to policies and practices in academic and student activities, and use of auxiliary
aids or services. Faculty are not expected to alter their standards for evaluation
or substantially alter an essential element of a course or program.
To receive academic adjustments, students must identify a disability that impacts
their ability to access the academic environment, provide documentation of the disability
(3 – 5 weeks prior to need for accommodations), and meet with OAS staff to develop
and implement an appropriate plan for access. Meetings may be scheduled through video
or telephone conferencing if needed.
There is no deadline for requesting new accommodative services, or review of current
plans based upon changes in condition or course requirements.
Accommodations do not automatically transfer from other institutions.
Accommodations are not retroactive and are effective only after the student completes
an intake with OAS and discloses their access plan to faculty/staff. During this intake
meeting, students are assisted to identify their point of impact, understand the course
delivery and potential barriers to participation. Academic support plans such as referrals
to tutors, technology training, and success strategies are developed as well.
All specific information provided concerning a disability is confidential and is released
only with the student’s consent.
Students are advised to maintain a copy of their documentation for future use; files
will be purged after seven years of inactivity with OAS services.
Additional information is available at https://www.sunydutchess.edu/academics/accommodative/.
We are a National Voter Registration Act Site: https://system.suny.edu/university-life/voter-registration/.
Students who believe they are experiencing discrimination on campus may contact the
ADA/Section 504 Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the grievance procedures, or wish to pursue
an alternative to using these procedures, you may file a complaint against the school
with the Office of Civil Rights: (http://www.ed.gov/ocr/docs/howto.html).
Counseling Services
The Counseling Center provides campus-wide programs and services for students to enhance
wellness, personal development and growth. Counseling services are available to students
by appointment or by walk-in.
There are many challenges that people confront during their college years. Navigating
these conflicts is integral to succeeding. To help students succeed, the Counseling
Center offers confidential counseling provided by licensed professionals in the fields
of psychology, social work, and mental health counseling. Services provided include
individual counseling, group counseling, crisis counseling and psychiatric consultation
for medication. Students utilize these services to address a range of concerns including
(but not limited to):
• College adjustment
• Stress/anxiety
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Academic concerns
• Relationship problems
• Family concerns
• Alcohol/drug issues
• Eating/body image problems
• Grief/loss
• Trauma
• Sexual orientation and gender identity support
Educational Programming
In addition to offering counseling, the Counseling Center provides other wellness-oriented
services and educational programming including (but not limited to):
• Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Educational Sessions
• Anger Management Educational Sessions
• Ally Network (LGBTQ Support)
• Mentors in Violence Prevention –
peer sexual violence prevention program
• Green Dot – power-based violence prevention
• Red Watch Band – peer alcohol/substance
prevention program
• Campus-Wide Wellness Fair
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Depression and Anxiety Screening Days
• Mental Health First Aid Trainings
• NARCAN Training - opiate overdose
• Smoking Cessation
• Financial Literacy
• “Let’s Talk” Drop-in Support
• CARE Workshops (Coping And Reinforcing Effectiveness)
For additional information or to schedule an appointment with a professional, call
(845) 431-8040 or come to the Student Services Center, Room 303. Services also are
available at DCC @ Fishkill.
Veterans Services
A comprehensive program at Dutchess Community College that provides services to active
military service, veterans, spouses and dependent children (students) receiving VA
Educational benefits. A Veteran’s Resource Center, located in Hudson Hall, room 212
was established in the Fall 2015 term. The VRC includes an administrative office for
the Coordinator and lounge for students to study, meet, socialize and congregate for
programming based on the wellness wheel model.