Student Affairs
Graduate students’ needs are different from the needs of undergraduate students. Many of the activities, developmental concerns and extra-curricular interests which characterize the undergraduate student become less important in the pursuit of an advanced degree. Nonetheless, there still remains an interest in extra-curricular activities and a need for support services and assistance with problems. The availability of these services and programs is largely managed at Canisius by the Division of Student Affairs.
Division of Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students and their staff determine all student affairs policies and procedures for the college, subject to the approval of the president. Assistance to graduate students is provided by the following offices, programs and functions:
- Campus Programming and Leadership Development
- Counseling Center
- Student Academic Support Services
- Intercollegiate Athletics
- International Student Programs
- Intramural Athletics
- Multicultural Programs
- Public Safety
- Residence Life
- Student Health Center
- Student Handbook
Canisius College conducts an extensive program of intercollegiate athletics at the N.C.A.A. Division I level. While participation in intercollegiate athletics by an incoming graduate student is somewhat rare, there are occasionally opportunities for graduate students to participate. Interested individuals should contact the head coach of the program to inquire about their tryout opportunities. Griffin teams also provide an excellent venue for the sports spectator. Information on schedules is available from the Athletics Department at the Koessler Athletic Center. Graduate students are encouraged to participate in both club and intramural sports. Club sports include rugby and volleyball for men, and co-educational bowling, skiing and scuba. Intramural sports include basketball, football, indoor soccer and softball for men, basketball and softball for women, and co-educational racquetball, volleyball, floor hockey and tennis.
Student Health Center
Frisch Hall 001 Phone 888-2610
The Student Health Center, located on the tunnel level of Frisch Hall, Room 101, provides service to graduate students, Monday through Friday during the academic year. The specific clinic hours are circulated on campus at the beginning of each semester. The clinic is staffed by a physician, a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant and registered nurses. Graduate students needing more complex medical care and treatment are referred off-campus. Appointments are recommended and may be made by phone or online using GriffMed. A link to GriffMed is located on the Student Health Center web site.
Sickness and Accident Insurance
Canisius College students should have health insurance to prevent the financial burdens associated with an illness or injury. Students who do not have health insurance are encouraged to consider purchasing the sickness and accident plan offered by the college. Information about plan benefits, eligibility, cost and enrollment periods is available on the Student Health Center web site.
International students are required to purchase the college’s health insurance plan written specifically for those studying away from their home countries. Information about this plan is available from the Office of International Student Programs.
All students must carry proof of their health insurance coverage while on campus. Most health insurance companies issue a health insurance card for that purpose. To prevent confusion, it is also recommended that all students know how their health insurance program is administered if a need for health care arises while they are at school.
New York State Immunization Requirement for Measles, Mumps and Rubella
New York State law requires all graduate students taking six or more credits and born on or after January 1, 1957 to provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella to the Student Health Center prior to class attendance. Graduate students must submit proof of two doses of measles (rubeola) vaccine, one dose of rubella (German measles) vaccine and one dose of mumps vaccine, given on or after their first birthday and after 1967. Non-compliance with this law results in exclusion from class and inability to register for future courses. Immunization forms are available at the Student Health Center or may be obtained by calling the center at (716) 888-2610.
Meningitis Requirement
All students registered for 6 or more credits, regardless of birth date, are required to receive information about the risk of meningococcal disease and the benefit of vaccination. Students are required to read the information and either obtain the meningitis vaccine or sign a vaccine refusal statement within thirty days of first class attendance. To read the information about meningococcal disease, go to the center’s web site, where you may also submit your meningitis response form on-line.
The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center, as an integral service within the Office of Student Affairs, actively supports the educational mission of the college. Counseling is intended to assist students toward personal growth. A counselor supports and encourages the student to reflect on personal choices and actions in order to progress as a responsible adult. Participation in counseling may help students improve self esteem, manage time and life better, and make reasoned decisions. Counseling may help an individual cope with difficult experiences, overcome self-defeating behavior and deal with feelings of anxiety, confusion, anger or loneliness. Through the counseling process, students can also learn to reduce stress and relax. Counseling services are available to all registered graduate students free of charge, from a staff of professionally qualified college counselors who act as objective, responsive listeners and supportive educators.
Residence Life
Housing for graduate students is available on a limited basis. For more information about the types of graduate housing Canisius offers, contact the Office of Residence Life at 716-888-8300 or reslife@canisius.edu. Student Academic Support Services Canisius College offers a variety of comprehensive academic resources to help students achieve academic success. Student Academic Support Services (SASS) is a program that provides services to assist students to successfully complete their academic careers. The goal is to provide students with the academic support and assistance they need to become successful lifelong learners.
SASS Components:
The Tutoring Center provides a variety of opportunities for students to achieve their own academic success. The services are free of charge and are open to all Canisius students. Individual Tutoring Services allow students to receive one-on-one academic assistance from peer and adjunct professor tutors. Tutors are available in most academic disciplines and employ various academic strategies to help address individual student needs. A Librarianin- Residence is available once a week to assist with researchbased academic needs. “Jump into Success — Workshops for Life” are part of an innovative hands-on program offered through SASS that addresses a variety of academic skills to help students become lifelong learners. The Study Center Program is open to all students and is an opportunity for students to focus on their academic work in a quiet environment where tutors are available to answer questions and provide academic support.
The Academic Mentor Program offers assistance to students who are on academic probation or experiencing other types of academic stress. Graduate students as mentors meet regularly with students and assist with better time management, handling of courses and study skills to help students achieve success.
Disability Support Services (DSS) 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 Director of DSS serves as the college’s advocate for students with disabilities and is responsible for arranging the necessary accommodations. Any graduate student who needs special services should contact the director at (716) 888-3748 before the semester begins when possible since ample lead time is often needed to plan for appropriate on-campus accommodations.
International Student Programs
Canisius College welcomes international students and appreciates the cultural diversity they bring to the campus. Currently, our international students are from approximately 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. The Office of International Student Programs advises international graduate students and assists them with their adjustment to Canisius College and American culture by organizing educational and social programs. To encourage cultural understanding within the Canisius community, arrangements are made for host families, and each year the college sponsors an International Fest — an evening celebration of cultural diversity on campus.
Other services for international students include orientation for new graduate 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.
Student Handbook
The Canisius College Student Handbook provides information on student life at Canisius. Although written primarily for the undergraduate student, it contains considerable information of value to graduate students. Extensive information is provided on student organizations, student services and student housing. The handbook also contains the student code of conduct and other student life policies, which apply to both graduate and undergraduate students. The on-line student handbook can be viewed at here.