2004-2005 Supplement Updated information for this section was published in the catalog supplement printed September 2004. Click here for an Adobe Acrobat PDF of the supplement for this section of the catalog. You may need to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website if you wish to view the documents in Adobe format (.pdf).

Participation at all levels of the college's operation is an important part of the student experience at Canisius.  Student involvement is a valuable part of each individual's learning process, and to the college as a whole as well, enabling the institution to draw upon the creativity, innovation, and leadership of its students in its efforts to serve them better.

Students discover that education takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. In keeping with the Jesuit ideal of educating the whole person, students learn and develop a complete sense of self through participation in such experiences as life in the residence halls, co-curricular activities, organizational membership and leadership, social involvement in the community, and membership on the various college committees.  Through such involvement in the entire life of the college community, a student’s years at Canisius will be a time of intellectual growth, advancement in self knowledge, and an improved knowledge of others.

Division of Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students, with the aid of staff and various committees, determine all student affairs policies and procedures for the college, subject to the approval of the President.

Assistance to students is provided by the following offices:

• Residence Life
• Student Activities
• Intercollegiate Athletics
• Intramural Athletics
• Multicultural Programs
• Student Health Center
• Counseling Center
• Public Safety
• International Student Programs
• Community Relations
• Disability Support Services
• Student Center

Athletics
Canisius College conducts an extensive athletics program for both men and women, including varsity sports (NCAA Division I), clubs, and intramural opportunities.

Varsity Sports: Men–baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving; women–basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, and diving, synchronized swimming, and volleyball.

Athletic Clubs: Men–rugby, volleyball; co-ed: bowling, cheerleading, skiing, scuba and crew.

Intramurals: Men – 5 on 5 and 3 on 3 basketball, flag football; women – 5 on 5 and 3 on 3 basketball, indoor soccer; co-ed: aerobics, racquetball, volleyball, floor hockey, 5 on 5 basketball, 3 on 3 basketball, outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, broom ball, 3 on 3 soccer, water polo, home run derby, and softball.

Student Health Center
The Student Health Center strives to provide high quality health care to Canisius students for the minor health problems that they may experience while on campus.  The staff views each student encounter as an opportunity to care for and educate the whole student.  Students are motivated to take responsibility for their health, identifying how lifestyle choices today can impact current and future health and to be knowledgeable consumers of health care.

By creating an atmosphere that is marked by openness, warmth, respect and integrity, students feel welcome, comfortable, and safe when seeking health care on campus.  Nurses staff the Health Center clinic, and physicians are available on campus each Monday and Thursday afternoon during the fall and spring semesters.  All visits are confidential.

The Health Center refers students to local medical specialists and to local hospitals for services not rendered in the Health Center.  Medical emergencies on campus are handled by Public Safety.  The Public Safety staff is trained in first aid and CPR.

Each student is required to submit a complete physical examination form and immunization history prior to class attendance.  This requirement is strictly enforced and if not complied with can impact a student's ability to register.

For more information about the Student Health Center, visit our web site at www.canisius.edu/student_health.

Health and Accident Insurance
Canisius College and the Student Health Center strongly recommend that all students carry some type of health insurance coverage.  An unexpected illness or sudden injury can result in financial burden if a student must pay for medical services out of pocket.  This burden, coupled with the cost of a college education, can impact a student's ability to complete their academic goals.

Students should carry their health insurance card with them on campus and submit a copy of the card to the Health Center.  Students should know how their plan works and what must be done when health care is needed while at school.  Students should contact their health plan member services for this information prior to arrival on campus.

Canisius College does offer students taking six or more credits a sickness and accident plan that is designed specifically for college students.  Enrollment periods for the plan occur in September and January.  For information about the plan including cost, eligibility, benefits, and exact enrollment dates, visit the Health Center web site at www.canisius.edu/student_health.

All full time undergraduates are covered under an accident plan for accidental injury or illness that occurs either on or off campus.  For information about this plan, contact the Health Center.  A description of the accident coverage is also available at the web address listed above.

Counseling Center
The mission of the Canisius College Counseling Center is to promote development of the whole person by helping students effectively transform life’s challenges into opportunities for personal growth.  As an integral service within the division of Student Affairs, the Counseling Center actively supports the educational mission of the college.  Our counselors work with students to address personal issues that may impede their academic success and overall personal growth.  Counseling is available to assist students with their personal growth and development.  Counseling services are available to all registered students from a staff of professional counselors.  Students are assured of confidentiality, unless it is apparent that the student may do harm to self, or others.  Information disclosed does not become part of any official record and is protected by the ethical and legal standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA).

In addition to individual counseling, support groups are formed as needed.  The Counseling Center staff is also available to conduct workshops on a variety of issues and topics.  Referrals to community resources are also available through the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For emergency assistance after business hours, please call Public Safety at 888-2330.  Please visit our website at www.canisius.edu/counseling.

Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety, located in the basement of the Bosch Residence Hall, is open 24 hours a day, providing around the clock protection and services to the campus community.  The department was established to protect the educational environment of Canisius College, keeping the environment free from the threat of physical harm, property damage, and disruptive activity.  Departmental objectives include: aiding in the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws; preventing crime; regulating non-criminal conduct, and preserving the peace.

Uniformed Public Safety Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Their primary responsibilities include: patrolling the campus area on foot, on bicycles, and in vehicles; security services; emergency response; and requests for assistance involving members of the campus community.

Public Safety also provides a variety of support services that are tailored to meet the needs of the campus community.  These services include; conducting crime prevention and personal safety programs, operating the campus shuttle system, providing Canisius ID cards, and providing assistance to campus motorists experiencing minor mechanical problems.

For a comprehensive summary of the activities and services provided by Public Safety, visit the Department of Public Safety Web site at www.canisius.edu/public_safety.

On Campus Living
On-campus residence is strongly recommended for all students.  Canisius College believes that the experience of living on campus contributes to the development of a mature, concerned, and well-informed graduate.  Several research studies conducted by the college have suggested that students who live in the residence halls develop important social values that enable them to better know themselves, their classmates, and their instructors.

Through programs initiated by the Office of Residence Life and the Residence Hall Association (the resident-student government), students are encouraged to enhance their social and interpersonal skills while strengthening their ethical values. These programs include lectures, workshops, volunteer experiences, and social activities.

There are several housing options available to resident students. Bosch and Frisch, the traditional residence halls for freshman students, were renovated in 1996-1997.  They include double rooms, suites, triples, triple suites and a social lounges with  kitchens.  A computer lab for Bosch and Frisch residents is located in the Palisano Pavilion.  The college also offers two buildings with themes. 

Campion Hall, renovated in 2002-2003, is an Intercultural Living Center.  The building houses both international and American students, in one, two, and three person rooms and creates an environment where students are encouraged to experience new cultures. 

The George M. Martin Hall offers students in the College Honors Program a unique opportunity to live in a co-educational learning environment that stresses academic excellence and social interaction.  Two-and three-person apartments are available to upper-class students in Griffin Hall. They include living rooms, baths, and full-size kitchens.

Main/Delavan and Main/Humboldt offer four-person apartments with two bedrooms, two baths, a full size living room, and a kitchen.  In the fall of 1996, the college opened the Village Townhouses, which provide four- and five-bedroom apartments, each with a full-size living room and bathroom, for upper-class students.  In the fall of 2001, the college opened the Delavan Townhouses.  This building complex features apartments with a full-size living room, kitchen, and individual bedrooms accommodating from 2-5 persons.  The college also owns several houses adjacent to the campus.

Residence-hall staff members live on the floors and in the apartment buildings to respond to student needs. The resident assistants (R.A.) are upperclass male and female students who are trained to handle personal, disciplinary, academic, and social concerns of students. There are also Jesuit and professional hall directors living in Bosch, Frisch, Village Townhouses, Main/Humboldt, and the Delavan Townhouses. 

The Department of Public Safety is centrally positioned in the basement of Bosch Hall. The Office of Residence Life is located on the first floor of Bosch Hall.

For further information on costs, services, and application procedures, students should contact the Office of Admissions or visit the Residence Life web page at www.canisius.edu/reslife/.

Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities is committed to promoting and enhancing student education, development, and growth through co-curricular programming, including leadership development opportunities.  Student Activities will work with the Student Center Office for the ongoing creation of an appropriate environment and the provision of adequate facilities for these programs.  The Undergraduate Student Association is comprised of the entire student body and is represented by an elected group, the Student Senate.  The purpose of the Senate is to assist, finance, and integrate all student organizations and to represent the views of the student body to the college administration.

Over 90 student clubs and organizations operate at Canisius under the supervision of the Undergraduate Student Association and the Office of Student Activities. These organizations provide students with an opportunity to explore an academic subject informally yet deeply, gain familiarity with the arts or with differing cultures, provide service to the college or to the community, develop a wide range of leadership skills, or simply socialize with other students. In addition, the various honor societies give recognition to student excellence in numerous areas, and the student-run media on campus, such as the college newspaper (The Griffin), the campus radio station (WCCG), and the college’s yearbook (AZUWUR), provide students with opportunities to explore communications media while keeping the college community informed and entertained.  Furthermore, Greek social organizations provide students with the opportunity to interact with each other in a unique context.  A variety of club sports enhance the recreational opportunities for students. Many special events such as concerts, plays, and lectures are also scheduled.

The Office of Student Activities runs the Best of Buffalo program each year.  Students are provided with the opportunity to attend many of the cultural, sporting, historical, and entertainment offerings that Buffalo and Western New York provide.  Examples of these programs include a Buffalo Bills game, a Broadway musical at Shea's Center for the Performing Arts, and a Buffalo Philharmonic concert at Kleinhans Music Hall.

Student Activities, in conjunction with the Campus Programming Board, holds a weekly Thursday night coffee house, called the Java Jam.  Free entertainment, food, and hot coffee are provided in a coffee-house style atmosphere.  This is a great way to relax and socialize with friends.  Also, Student Activities and Residence Life co-sponsor the Saturday Nights in the Palisano series.  "Fifties, Floats, and Fun", "Sumo and Sushi", "Spa Night", and "Pumpkin Painting Party" are just a few examples of the fun, creative programs offered to students.  Free food and beverages are provided, as well as prizes at some of the events.

Office of Disability Support Services
The Office of Disability Support Services is committed to creating equal access for all Canisius students with disabilities.  It is our goal to help meet the needs of individuals registered and documented through the office, whether the disability is permanent or temporary.  The mission of DSS is to see that no student is excluded from or discriminated against while participating in any Canisius program, function, or activity, while at the same time maintaining the highest level of academic integrity.  DSS advocates responsibility for an accessible and holistic learning environment through the removal of informational, physical and attitudinal barriers.

The DSS staff is devoted to providing the college community with support and services necessary to achieve excellence in academic, social, and personal growth.  DSS promotes self-advocacy and self-determination for students with disabilities, while reinforcing personal responsibility.  The aim of DSS is that, with proper accommodations, all qualified individuals with disabilities at Canisius will have the opportunity to achieve success.

Students who wish to utilize the services available through DSS must self-identify, register with the Office of Disability Support Services, and complete the DSS intake form.  Students must also provide current documentation by a licensed or certified official that states the disability in order to obtain special accommodations.  For more information, please feel free to contact the office at (716) 888-3748.

Career Center
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions made by an individual. Obtaining a college education and planning one’s future occupation are activities closely bound to each other. For this reason, Canisius College provides a number of programs and services through the Career Center that are designed to help students define their career goals and make the preparation needed to ensure a successful transition from student life to the world of work. Available services include:

Career Counseling: Individual sessions with a career counselor are always available.  Students make appointments to discuss career interests, assess skills and interests, determine the best matches between academic major and post-graduate career, review resumes, and develop career strategies.

Career Assessment: All students will have access to self-assessment tools, including the Strong Interest Inventory guidance program, to assist them in determining the areas of their occupational interests.

Career Library: An extensive collection of career research resources and self-help career-related materials are available to students and alumni.

Workshops: The Career Center collaborates with Residence Life, Student Activities and other divisions of the college to provide workshops on career-related topics such as interview skills, resume writing, and job search strategies.

Graduate/Professional Schools Fair: This annual fall semester event provides access to representatives of graduate and professional programs locally, regionally, and nationwide from a variety of academic disciplines.

Web-Based Job Posting Bulletin Board:  An on-line, web based job bulletin board that lists full- and part-time positions, internships, and seasonal and volunteer opportunities.

On-Campus Recruiting, Job Fairs, Career Days: Regularly scheduled events provide access to employers from public, private and non-profit organizations.

Students discover that career services are best used early during one’s college years. Freshmen and sophomores will find the Career Center an excellent source of information on occupations and majors. Juniors refine their career objectives, identify specific career paths and seek internships, and volunteer and job opportunities that will aide in their job search. Seniors can take advantage of a variety of programs, such as on-campus recruiting and networking events, that are  intended to assist them in obtaining their first career position.

International Students
Canisius College welcomes international students and appreciates the cultural diversity they offer our student body.  Currently our international students are from approximately 31 countries including areas as diverse as Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia.  The Office of International Student Programs advises international students and assists them with their adjustment to Canisius College and American culture by organizing educational and social programs.  To further encourage cultural understanding within the Canisius community, the International Student Programs Office also arranges host families for our international students and organizes an annual International Fest, a week-long celebration of cultural diversity on campus.  Other services for international students include an extensive orientation for new students, assistance with immigration regulations, and special tutorial help in English.  The Global Horizons Association, a student organization for American and international students, plans additional activities to promote cultural awareness on campus.

All international students studying on a F1 or J1 Visa are required by the college to purchase a health insurance plan offered by Canisius College. This plan is designed and written specifically for the health care needs of international students studying in the United States. Information about the required health insurance plan is available in the International Student Programs Office

Office of Multicultural Programs
A genuine, pluralistically diverse campus fosters freedom of expression, tolerance, equality, mutual respect and understanding of other people. Such a community recognizes the interdependence of diverse groups and the integrity of each individual, where all individuals feel a sense of being participants in the college’s mission and activities.

The Office of Multicultural Programs assists the college in enhancing services for African American, Asian-American, Latino/a-American, and Native American (ALANA) students while educating the entire student population regarding cultural diversity. The office assists students regarding racial issues, self-concept interests and participatory involvement within the frame-work of the college.  Although services provided are primarily co-curricular, the office also serves as a referral and support unit regarding academic and other collegiate matters.

The Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs meets informally with all students and invites members of the student body to special multicultural events on campus and in the Buffalo community.  This frequent interaction helps students to feel comfortable when articulating their concerns on such challenging topics as racism, cross-cultural communication and relationships, as well as discussing academic, financial and personal concerns from a multicultural perspective.