Spring 2021 Student Support Information, Resources, and Services

What are Student Success Teams?

Student success teams are made up of Canisius faculty and staff members that are here to support you from orientation through graduation.

Academic Advisor (primary)
• Assigned by the students’ respective academic department, this individual advises students on major requirements, meets with students to determine course registration, and mentors students in pursuit of their educational goals. The advisor is the only person that can give a student their registration pin.
• Example: Dr. Paola Fajarado-Heyward is an associate professor of political science, director of the Latin-American Studies and International Relations programs, and chair of the Student Faculty Liaison Committee of the Faculty Senate. Additionally, Dr. Fajarado-Heyward is assigned as the faculty advisor to some students in the political science department.

Success Coach
• A professional staff member who works in academic support services that can assist students with any non-advisement academic concerns and connect them with helpful campus resources. Success coaches help incoming first year students create their fall schedule, meet weekly with assigned students who are on academic probation as part of their academic recovery plan developed from the college/school associate dean, address student concerns submitted by faculty/staff, and assist with time management/study skills. Success coaches are assigned by college/school and work closely with their respective college/school associate dean.
• Example: Sierra Bonerb is the Associate Director of Support Services and her primary responsibilities are the oversight of student accessibility services, the testing center, and veteran support services. Additionally, she serves as the success coach for students in the School of Education and Human Services (A-L).

Career Coach
• A member of the Career Development team who assists students with career/major exploration, resume reviews, practice interviews, and the internship/job search.
• Example: Sheila Pettigrew is the senior assistant director of career development and her primary responsibilities include career/networking events, Griff Fair, and employer relations/stewardship. Additionally, she serves as the career coach for seniors and graduate students and specializes working with students in the job search and interview process.

Financial Aid Advisor
• A member of the financial services team who can assist you with any financial aid questions or concerns you may have.
• Example: Mary Koehneke is the associate director of Student Records and Financial Services Center and she serves as the financial aid advisor for students in the Urban Learning Leadership Community (ULLC) program and student-athletes.

Where is your Student Success Team information located?

You can find your student success team listed in your student profile here, under advisors. The neat part of your view is you can click on the name of the person and it provides the contact information. Please see our example student, Biff Tannen, below.



Success Coaches

Students have been assigned success coaches based upon engagement in particular programs/involvement on campus or by college/school. If students are not in one of the specialized engagement groups, students are assigned by college/school. 

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Jenyia Wilson - wilson92@canisius.edu
HEOP/COPE

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Lindy Feider - feiderl@canisius.edu
Student-Athletes

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Brian Smith - smith@canisius.edu
International Students

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Tracy Callaghan - callagh2@canisius.edu 
College of Arts & Sciences (Last Names A-L)

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Jennifer Herrmann - herrman1@canisius.edu
College of Arts & Sciences (Last Names M-Z)

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Sierra Bonerb - rapones@canisius.edu 
Veterans; School of Education & Human Services (Last Names A-L)

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Angela Bufalino - bufalin2@canisius.edu 
School of Education & Human Services (Last Names M-Z)

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Monika McFoy - mcfoym@canisius.edu 
Richard J. Wehle School of Business

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Career Coaches

Students and alumni have been assigned career coaches based on class year for career-related appointments. Career coaches also refer within to best suit the student or alumni's career needs.

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Eileen Abbatoy - abbatoye@canisius.edu 
Freshman & Alumni

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Rachel Gromlovits - gromlovr@canisius.edu 
Sophomores & Juniors

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Sheila Pettigrew - toombs@canisius.edu 
Seniors & Graduate Students

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Academic Achievement

Is Academic Achievement Open? 
The Academic Achievement office located in Old Main 013 is open by appointment only. Professional staff will be available for phone/video or in-person appointments. Please contact us via e-mail at the following to schedule an appointment: 
Jennifer Herrmann - herrman1@canisius.edu 
Tracy Callaghan - callagh2@canisius.edu 
Lindy Feider – feiderl@canisius.edu

How am I able to have my questions answered regarding advisement and course adjustment?
You should have met with your faculty advisor for registration assistance and received your PIN. You are able to make changes but please follow up with your faculty advisor for assistance.

How will Academic Achievement operate during Drop/Add Week?
Academic Achievement will be able to assist incoming freshmen and transfer students virtually. A Zoom link will be available soon.

How am I able to receive assistance for any general questions I may have?
We are available and happy to support our students! We will do this via phone, video and in-person appointments (please contact via emails listed above). For upperclassmen, please remember to reach out to your faculty advisor for any registration-related questions regarding your spring schedule.

Does Academic Achievement have drop-in hours?
Professional staff will be available to assist students virtually for spring! A Zoom link will be available soon.

Career Development

Is Career Development Open? 
Professional staff in the Career Development office, located in Horan O’Donnell 014, will be in the office on a rotational basis and are available for phone/video/email appointments. Remote appointments with career coaches can be scheduled via email and can be conducted through Zoom, email or phone. Please see below for contact information for your career coach.
Eileen Abbatoy (Freshmen & Alumni) - abbatoye@canisius.edu 
Sheila Pettigrew (Seniors & Graduate Students) - toombs@canisius.edu 
Rachel Gromlovits (Sophomores & Juniors) - gromlovr@canisius.edu

All services offered in person are available remotely, including: 
Resume Reviews 
Cover Letter Reviews 
Practice Interviews; jobs, internships, graduate and professional school (medical school) 
LinkedIn and Handshake Profile Building 
Job and Internship Search 
Career/Major Decision Making 
Strong Interest Inventory Debriefs 
Graduate School Search and Application Assistance 
Other Appointments by Request

How can students/alumni engage with employers?* 
Handshake 
LinkedIn 
Canisius Connect 
*Contact your career coach for more information 

Career Development is hosting virtual Resume Wednesday each Wednesday while classes are in session. Send a Microsoft Word or Google Doc document of your resume or cover letter to careers@canisius.edu to participate.

The Career Development Team will be virtually hosting a number of employer information and networking events throughout the semester. Details about these events can be found in Handshake under the events section. If you have questions about how to access Handshake to register for an event, please email your career coach.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Is SAS Open?
The SAS office located in Old Main 317 is open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm by appointment only. Professional staff will be alternating in-office and at-home working days and will be available for appointments Monday-Friday. Virtual appointments are encouraged, but in-person appointments can take place upon request. Masks or face coverings are required for all in-person appointments. Please call us at 716-888-2485, or contact us via email to schedule an appointment.
Sierra Bonerb - rapones@canisius.edu
Angela Bufalino - bufalin2@canisius.edu

Will exams be administered in person by SAS? 
For students registered with academic accommodations:
∙ If an exam is administered in person by your professor, the exam can also take place in person in our Testing Center, where we will ensure extended time is given. The exam must be scheduled within our office hours and we must receive 24 hours notice prior to the exam.
∙ If an exam is administered online by the professor, it is up to the professor to provide you with extended time on D2L.
∙ If a student who receives accommodations wishes to use our space to take an online exam, they can do so upon request, as long as the exam takes place within our office hours and with at least 24 hours notice. 

How does extended time for exams work in an online format?
If a student has extra time for exams, the timed online exam or quiz must be extended per their accommodation. To streamline the accommodation process, all exam times can be extended by 2x. Faculty can follow these instructions regarding adjusting the time allotment for students taking online exams: https://www.youtube.com/embed/gV2kH2vd9ZA

What if a student needs to register with SAS for accommodations?
Students can register for accommodations at any point, once we are provided with appropriate documentation of a disability. During the period of remote learning, students can still register for accommodations by sending documentation via email, and scheduling a phone or video appointment with staff. If you would like to schedule an appointment regarding registering for accommodations please fill out the SAS Meeting Request form. Once the form is complete, a staff member will contact you to set up an appointment. 

Tutoring Center

Is Tutoring Open?
For the Spring 2021 Semester, tutoring will begin on Monday, February 15, 2021. The Tutoring Center located in Old Main 315 will open for tutors that want to use the space for virtual tutoring. Study Center hours may be done online, but students may choose to use the Tutoring Center space to complete them. Professional staff will be working both in the office and from home on a rotating basis, and will be available to chat online using the Google Hangouts “chat” feature at tutorga@canisius.edu, or they can be emailed at the same address. You may also contact Monika McFoy, Assistant Director, Support Services at mcfoym@canisius.edu. 

How will I meet with a tutor during the academic continuance period? 
All tutoring will occur online using Google Hangouts which is available to all Canisius students. 

How do I request a tutoring appointment? 
To request a Google Hangouts tutoring session, fill out the Tutor Request Form.

How long will it take to secure a tutoring appointment? 
Tutoring requests will be received and scheduled by Tutoring Center staff, Monday – Thursday, 8:30am-4:00pm and Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm. Once your request has been received, you will get a response no later than the next business day. 

When will tutoring be available? 
Tutoring appointments will be scheduled to occur during the following hours: Sunday 12pm – 9pm, Monday – Thursday 9am – 9pm and Friday 9am – 1pm. However, the Tutoring Center space will be physically open Monday - Friday 9am-4:30pm. 

How will my tutoring session be scheduled? 
Once you submit your request, you will receive a calendar invite (via email), with the day, time and Google Hangouts link for your session. Tutors must be requested by 4p.m. the day before the tutoring session.

How do I start my session? What will my tutoring session online be like? 
At the scheduled time of your tutoring session, click on the Google Hangouts link you received to meet with your tutor. Students will be able to ask tutors questions, review content and prepare for exams just as they could during drop-in hours. Students should expect sessions to run no longer than 45 – 50 minutes. 

Veteran Services

Is the Veteran Resource Center Open?
Veteran Services located in Old Main 317 will be available to all students who receive benefits. Services to students will be provided via Zoom, in person or phone call depending on the need and comfortability of the student and staff. You can contact Sierra Bonerb  at 716-888-2476 or via email at rapones@canisius.edu to schedule an appointment. The Veterans Resource Center - Old Main 320 will be available via swipe access to all Veteran Students. Students must comply with the room capacity and social distancing rules while in the center.

Veteran Financial Aid and Certification 
For questions regarding Veteran aid and certification please contact Michele Rizzo; Assistant Director of Financial Aid by phone at 716.888.2300 or email rizzo@canisius.edu.

Academic Mentoring Center

Can I still meet with my Academic Mentor this semester? 
Yes, academic mentoring meetings can continue either virtually or in person. It is up to the academic mentor and mentee to agree on how meetings will be conducted. In person meetings can take place in the Academic Mentoring Center in Old Main 318, with social distancing measures in place. If you have an academic mentor, you should hear from them within the first two weeks of the semester.

I do not currently have a mentor. Can I still request a mentor now? 
Yes, you can request a mentor at any point! Please fill out this form in order to be matched with an academic mentor: Academic Mentor Request Form

Testing Center

I missed an in person exam. Can I have a makeup exam proctored in the Testing Center?
The Testing Center will be open for makeup testings on a limited, case-by-case basis. The student is responsible for receiving permission from their professor to take a makeup exam. If you would like more information about scheduling a makeup exam, please call (716)888-2485 or email access@canisius.edu.

Academic Success Workshops

In an effort to promote student success and offer academic support, workshops will be offered one on one via Google Hangouts. Current workshop topics are: 
∙ Time Management
∙ Study Skills
∙ Note Taking 
∙ Talking with Professors 
∙ Finals Preparation 
∙ Successful Online Learning
Students may request a workshop appointment here.

Transfer Student Services

Transfer students and students enrolled in GRIFF 201 may contact Jennifer Herrmann at herrman1@canisius.edu and/or Lisa Fischer at fischer7@canisius.edu for any questions and assistance.

Online Learning Notification Form - Spring 2021

Students who wish to be online for the entire spring semester can now complete the Online Learning Notification Form. This form, also linked on the myCanisius portal for future reference, must be completed by Friday, February 12 @ 11:00 pm. Upon completion, faculty members will be able to view your online status from their course rosters and plan their course delivery accordingly. 

Please note, synchronous or in-person courses will still meet as scheduled regardless of a student’s online status. Therefore, you must be available to meet online during that scheduled class time. In addition, this form cannot be used to pick individual courses to take online. This form should be filled out only if you wish to attend all of your courses online this spring. If your program or the courses you’ve registered for are already fully online, you do not need to complete this form.  If you plan to take some or all of your courses online, please consult with your advisor during the registration process to find fully online courses that work with your schedule. 

Once you submit the Online Learning Notification Form for Spring 2021, a code of online (ON) will be added to your student record. This will indicate to your faculty that you are attending courses virtually and they will plan accordingly for the online delivery of the course. Coding from Fall 2020 will not carry over into Spring 2021. If you were online in the fall and wish to continue online next semester, please resubmit this form so you are properly coded in the spring.

This form will close on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 11:00 pm. If you complete this form and wish to remove your online status before February 12, please email Emily McGorry at mcgorrye@canisius.edu. The ON code will be removed and faculty will be notified that you will be attending class on campus. If you wish to change your status to attend classes in person after February 12, please email each of your professors to request this change and make the necessary arrangements.


If you have any questions, please contact your associate dean: Phil Reed at reedp@canisius.edu (College of Arts & Sciences), Lorrei Dicamillo at dicamill@canisius.edu (School of Education & Human Services), or Laura McEwen at mcewenl@canisius.edu (Wehle School of Business).


Please note: If you are in an online graduate program, you do not need to fill out this form. 

Rooms and Spaces for Studying and Synchronous Online Learning

There are many study spaces on campus students can reserve for study and synchronous online learning purposes.

Library Study Rooms
⋅ There are 12 study rooms in the Library that are available to reserve.
⋅ If students would like to reserve a study room, please direct them here. These rooms are available during regular Library operating hours.

Griff Center for Student Success Study Rooms
⋅ There are 4 study rooms in the Griff Center spaces that are available to reserve.
⋅ If students would like to reserve a study room, please direct them to email Allison Kurthy, Griff Center graduate assistant, at kurthya@canisius.edu, with days/times and if you will need that space weekly. These rooms are available during regular office operating hours.

Additional places for students to study on campus:
⋅ Tutoring Center (Old Main 315) – there are 16 socially distant study spaces
⋅ Commuter Lounge (Student Center – lower level)
⋅ Health Science Building Lounges
⋅ Library
⋅ Old Main: 2nd – 4th floors Lounges
⋅ Science Hall Commons (available for study 8:30am – 4pm; The Commons will be used for event space after 4pm)⋅ 
⋅ Science Hall Atrium
⋅ Veteran’s Resource Center (Old Main 320)

Parent and Family Information

Parents and families may join the Canisius College Parent and Family group on Facebook: a private community page for parents and caregivers of current Canisius students and parent alumni to support one another, share thoughts and ask questions. Additional information for parents can be found here.

 

Student Health Center

Due to COVID 19 , students should call Student Health at 716-888-2610 to schedule their health center appointment.  To protect the health and safety of our students walk in and self scheduling appointments are not available this semester.  Most visits with the college physician will be virtual from the comfort of your room or home.  Face to face visits will be scheduled by the college physician.  Students needing immunizations or physical examination should call Student Health to arrange for in clinic visit.
MyCanisiusHealth is your web based health portal offering 24/7 access to Student Health and health information.  You can log- in to your myCanisiusHealth portal through the portal here. From myCanisusHealth you can:

∙ Read messages from college physicians and nurses
∙ Update your health information
∙ Review self care tips and  access a list off campus specialty providers
∙ Scan complete health forms 

Diagnostic COVID testing is available through Student Health. Student should call Student Health for a telemedicine visit with one of the campus providers to discuss testing options. Students who develop symptoms suggestive of COVID 19 should isolate at home or campus housing until they have been in contact with a health care provider on or off campus.  Students who have had a close contact exposure should quarantine at home or campus housing and speak with a health care provider on or off campus about testing.

Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library

The library will be open during the Spring 2021 semester. For more information about the library, please visit here: https://library.canisius.edu. Students on-campus and online are able to Book a Librarian here anytime you need research help. Library Hours of Operation:Sunday: 2:00pm - 10:00 pmMonday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pmTuesday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pmWednesday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pmThursday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pmFriday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pmSaturday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Writing Center

Online appointments are available, with hours varying week-to-week, by clicking the Writing Center link in the my.canisius student portal or going to canisius.mywconline.com.

Student Records and Financial Services Center

The Student Records and Financial Services Center has answers to their most common questions related to student records all in one spot here. Topics include but aren't limited to registration, financial aid, transcripts, student accounts, and more. There are also financial aid tutorial videos.

Technology Services and Online Learning

Check out this guide here (canisius.edu/studenttech) to technology services at Canisus. Additionally, the Center for Online Learning and Innovation (COLI) and Information Technology Servics (ITS) Helpdesk are here to support you!

Center for Online Learning and Innovation
∙ Check out this guide here which serves as a quick reference for students who are taking online courses at Canisius College.  Although maintained by the Center for Online Learning & Innovation, here you'll find links to resources from various offices that may be helpful.

​Information Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk
∙ ​The experienced, qualified staff addresses all technology issues from answering quick questions to dispatching "emergency" help to technology classrooms. Assistance is available in person in Horan-O'Donnell 016, via email at helpdesk@canisius.edu, by phone at (716) 888-8340 or you can enter a trouble ticket at helpdesk.canisius.edu.

 

Counseling Center

Counselors are available to support Canisius students throughout their college experience. In an effort to keep students and staff safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Counseling Center services are currently available through tele-counseling.  Counselors are available to connect with students via phone or video. For more information on the Counseling Center, please visit our website. To schedule an appointment, please click here.



 

Spring 2021 Academic Calendar

• Friday, February 5 - First day of class.
• Friday, February 12 - Last day to drop/add a course.
• Tuesday, March 16 – cura personalis day (no classes held).  
• Thursday, March 25 – cura personalis day (no classes held) – note that for Tuesday-Thursday classes, it means one week off over a two week period.
• Friday, April 2 – Good Friday (no classes – this was already scheduled as a day off)
• Monday April 5 – cura personalis day (no classes held)
• Wednesday, April 14 – cura personalis day (no classes held) – note that for Monday-Wednesday or Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes there is a week off over a two week period.
• Thursday, May 13 – last day of classes
• Friday, May 14 – reading day (no classes)
• May 17-22 – Exam week 

 

Campus Clear App

As part of our comprehensive strategy for controlling the spread of COVID-19 on campus, we are deploying #CampusClear, a self- monitoring app for students to use. Everyone in our learning community is being asked to take a minute each day before coming to campus or attending class to check themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the presence of risk factors. Based on your responses to the questions, #CampusClear provides information on what you should do next.  To get started, download the app from the app stores. Here are the links:

 
Or
 
 
Please make sure you enable notifications from the app. There will only be one notification each day to prompt you to begin the self- monitoring assessment.
 
Once you’ve downloaded #CampusClear, log-in by entering your institutional email address. You’ll receive an email confirmation, and after clicking the confirmation link, you’ll have access to the app. It only takes a few seconds to self-assess and your participation helps to keep our campus safe for everyone and remain in compliance with New York State law.
 
In addition, as required by New York State, Canisius College will also be conducting periodic electronic screenings of students using the symptom check on MyCanisiusHealth for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, exposure risks and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. The Student Health Center will manage this process, which will begin later this fall. 

 

The Griff Pledge

Making the Canisius College campus safe is a shared commitment, and so we are requiring every member of our community to take the Griff Pledge, which demonstrates that we are all working together to protect one another from COVID-19. As a member of the Canisius College community: 

∙I will wear a face covering at all times on campus, both indoors and outdoors, and when taking part in College activities on or off-campus when unable to be socially distant (students can take face coverings off in their individual residence hall rooms);

∙I will wash my hands frequently and thoroughly (for 20 seconds, minimum), especially after contact with surfaces and items in public areas, after eating, coughing, sneezing, or wiping one’s nose;

∙I will self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and complete daily MobileApp screenings;

∙I will follow the directions of College and Erie County Health Department  officials regarding testing, screening, and quarantine/ isolation (if necessary), and cooperate with the College and Erie County Health Department's contact tracing efforts, if called upon to do so;

∙I will act in the spirit of people for others, knowing that I am helping to protect the campus community from illness. I am responsible for my actions.

All students who plan to be on campus must be aware of and abide by the expectations outlined in the Griff Pledge prior to coming to campus. You will be sent a link in a future communication with the Griff Pledge and asked to complete the acknowledgement. Failure to adhere to it will be considered a violation of our community standards. We are all in this together. 

To learn more about services offered within the Griff Center for Student Success, please view our Staff Pamphlet here. For additional contact information for departments at Canisius College, please visit our Contact Us page.