Niagara County Community College
Faculty Guide
Prepared by the
V. Jam es Renda Faculty Resource Center for Academ ic Excellence
“Committed to quality programs to enhance teaching and learning at NCCC”
NCCC is an AA/EEO Institution
WHO’S WHO AT NCCC
OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) ………………Dr. Eunice Bellinger, ebellinger@niagaracc.suny.edu
A241, Ext. 6450
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs…………....………………Lydia Ulatowski, ulatowsk@niagaracc.suny.edu
A241, Ext. 6474
Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs……….…………..Monica Lopoyda, mlopoyda@niagaracc.suny.edu
A241, Ext. 6452
Administrative Assistant to Academic Affairs……….………………..Wendy Warchocki, warchock@niagaracc.suny.edu
A241, Ext. 6450
Stenographer………………………………………………………………….LouAnn Parker, parkerl@niagaracc.suny.edu
Typist.……………………………………………………………..…Patricia Daboll, pdaboll@niagaracc.suny.edu
OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES
Vice President of Student Services.....................................…..……...…Ms. Julia Pitman, jpitman@niagaracc.suny.edu
A265, Ext. 6240
Student Development Director………………………………….Allison Armusewicz, aarmusewicz@niagaracc.suny.edu
A131, Ext. 6238
DIVISION CHAIRS and SUPPORT STAFF
Arts, Media & Technology.............................….............................…..Chair, Kyle LoConti, loconti@niagaracc.suny.edu
F153, Ext. 5960/4054, Support Staff:
Jennifer Skorik, Skorik@niagaracc.suny.edu
F153, Ext. 5960/4069, Support Staff:
Pat Owens, powen@niagaracc.suny.edu
Business and Hospitality…….….………….....................................Chair, Mark Mistriner, mistrine@niagaracc.suny.edu
B138, Ext 6460, Support Staff:
Lisa Poole, poole@niagaracc.suny.edu
NFCI 141, 4070, Support Staff:
Shirley House, shouse@niagaracc.suny.edu
Henrietta G. Lewis Library………...…………...… ……………Chair, Nancy Kennedy, kennedy@niagaracc.suny.edu
D131, Ext. 6796, Support Staff:
Barb Rupple, rupple@niagaracc.suny.edu
Humanities and Social Sciences...........................................................Chair, James Mezhir, jmezhir@niagaracc.suny.edu
E206, Ext. 4057, Support Staff:
Diane Bonura, bonura@niagaracc.suny.edu
E106, Ext. 6808, Support Staff:
Linda Warren, warren@niagaracc.suny.edu
E106, Ext. 4064, Support Staff:
Kelly Walck, kwalck@niagaracc.suny.edu
Science, Health and Mathematics................................Chair, Dr. Salvatore Passanese, spassasane@niagaracc.suny.edu
C239, Ext. 6410/4040, Support Staff: Diane Currie, currie@niagaracc.suny.edu
C244, Ext. 6410/4039, Support Staff: Beata (Betsy) Coleman, bcoleman@niagaracc.suny.edu
H167, Ext. 4030, Support Staff:
Liz Ruffner, ruffner@niagaracc.suny.edu
C167, Ext. 4068, Support Staff:
Leslie Saunders, lsaunder@niagaracc.suny.edu
C167, Ext. 4067, Support Staff:
Cathleen Heckeler, checkeler@niagaracc.suny.edu
Office of Academic Affairs
Faculty Evaluation Process
Full-time faculty are evaluated by the Vice President of Academic Affairs—tenured, every 2-1/2 years; non-tenured,
every semester until tenured. Adjuncts are evaluated by division chair or coordinator first and every fourth semester.
Faculty Evaluation or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/frcae/teacherresources.php#evaluation
Important Information Links
The NCCC College Catalog link-- 2013-2014
Student Catalog or http://catalog.niagaracc.suny.edu/
Academic Calendar link-- Academic Calendar
or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/acad
emiccalendar.php?section=academics
Student Guide link-- Student Guide or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/pdf/advisement
/Student-Guide.pdf
Faculty Handbooks-Full-Time--2011-2012 Faculty Handbook or
http://fyi.niagaracc.suny.edu/newfyi/academic/
Faculty_handbook%20.pdf
Adjunct--Adjunct Faculty Handbook or
http://fyi.niagaracc.suny.edu/newfyi/forms/eval
/adj_fac_handbook.pdf
Suggested Course Outline (see following page)
Student Handbook (Student Conduct) link-- Student Rights & Responsibilities (Code of Conduct) or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/pdf/rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
Goals of a Performance Appraisal (located in Academic Affairs)
Advisement link--Advisor Resources
Printing Request link--Electronic Printing Request Form (get print code from division secretary)
Email Access (off campus)--Outlook Web Access
Help Guide for Faculty
ISSUES…
LOCATION…
GET HELP HERE...
Academic Concerns
Speak with your instructor or advisor or a counselor.
A131
Ext. 6490
Accessibility Services
Student Development—Accommodations/support services.
A131
Ext. 6285
Address Changes
Registration & Records Office
A201
Ext. 6250
Advisement
Student Development—Academic advisement/advisor
concerns.
A131
Ext. 6490
Angel
Access and assistance:
http://sln.suny.edu/help/help_overview.shtml
D409
Ext. 6488
1-800-875-6269
Attendance/Absences
Course attendance policies vary. Non-attendance may affect
financial aid. Notify instructors of long absence-call ext. 6240.
Books/Texts
NCCC’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore
G109
Ext. 6840
Car Trouble
Security Office—For accidents on campus, keys locked in
car, jumper cables.
G106
Ext. 6400
Career Planning
Student Development—Are in you the right major?
A131
Ext. 6490
Cashier’s Office
Payment Processing, Payment Plan Enrollment, Student
Accident and/or Health Insurance Enrollment, Sign
Financial
Obligation Agreement to apply your processed Financial
Aid benefits to tuition and fee charges.
A205
Ext. 6260
Changing Major
Student Development—Or file online on Banner Web
A131
Ext. 6490
Class Schedule
Registration & Records Office—Get a copy here or go on
Banner Web; questions about classes--see your advisor.
A201
Ext. 6250
Computer Labs
Library – D Bldg.
A-172 – Open Access Lab (hours posted)
2 Floor
614-6222
Ext. 6831
Ext. 4110
Cooperative Education
Student Development—Credit for work experience.
A131
Ext. 6490
Copies
Library—Computers, DVD players, & color printer also
available.
Credit for Prior Learning
Academic Affairs
A241
Ext. 6450
Cross Registration
Registration & Records—Free course at other participating
school.
A201
Ext. 6250
Day Care
Child Development Center
D102
Ext. 6245
Disney College Program
Business & Hospitality—Learning and earning experiences.
B108
Ext. 6461
or 6475
Dropping a Course
Registration & Records Office—On-line through Banner Web
first 3 weeks of term. If receiving financial aid, consult Financial
Aid Office first.
A201
Ext. 6250
Email
Office of Information Technology
T-Wolves Assistance accessing student email.
D163
Ext. 2505
Employment
Student Development—On and off-campus jobs.
A131
Ext. 6490
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office—Grants, Loans, and Scholarships.
A114
Ext. 6266
First Aid/Health
Wellness Center—Illness/injury, health/wellness, referrals.
Security Office—Medical emergencies after hours.
C122
G106
Ext. 6275
Ext. 6400
Ext. 6240
nd
2
nd
Floor
D Bldg.
Get Involved
Student Life—Clubs, activities, leadership development,
co-curricular transcript, orientation, Student Senate and more!
G243
Ext. 6255
Graduation
Students MUST file for graduation in last semester via Banner
Web. Registration & Records Office if assistance is eeded.
A201
Ext. 6250
Housing
Student Housing Village—NCCC on-campus housing.
Student Life—List of off-campus apartments.
G243
731-8850
Ext. 6255
I.D. Card
Security Office
G106
Ext. 6400
International Students
Admissions—Applicants
Student Development—Continuing students
A105
A131
Ext. 6200
Ext. 6490
Lost & Found
Lost & Found is located in Security.
G106
Ext. 6400
Math
Math Center—Free help available for math-related questions.
C231
Ext. 6872
On-line/Hybrid Classes
Office of Electronic Learning
Assistance with taking on-line and hybrid classes.
D408
Ext. 6487
Parking
Security Office (parking tickets)
Obtain handicapped parking permit from your town.
G106
Ext. 6400
Personal Counseling
Wellness Center—Confidential personal counseling for
mental health and emotional concerns.
C122
Ext. 6280
Placement Tests
Testing Center—Schedule an appointment online at
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/testing
A167
Ext. 6728
Registration
Registration & Records Office
Assistance with web registration.
A201
Ext. 6254
Safety/Security
Security Office-NCCC Main Campus
Security Office-Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
G106
Ext. 6400
716-210-2555
Scholarships
Financial Aid Complex
Apply online at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships
A114
Ext. 6205
Science Center
Tutoring available—Gen Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and &P.
C204
Ext. 6413
Study Skills/Reading
Academic Achievement Center
E216
Ext. 6724
Transcripts
Official and unofficial transcripts via Banner Web.
Registration & Records Office if assistance is needed.
A201
Ext. 6250
Transfer/Dual Admission
Student Development for transfer from NCCC to another
college.
Registration & Records Office to check credits which
transfer to NCCC.
A131
A201
Ext. 6490
Ext. 6252
Transportation
Bus Stop—Maps and schedules for Rural Niagara Bus
& NFTA. Check on-line for more information.
Tutoring
Academic Achievement Center
Tutoring is free and available in most subjects.
E216
Ext. 6724
Veteran Services
Student Development
A131
Ext. 6490
Withdrawing from Course(s)“W” or “X” Grades
Student Development to speak with a counselor.
Registration & Records Office to submit form.
A131
A201
Ext. 6490
Ext. 6250
Writing
Writing Center—Assistance with writing and/or word processing.
E225
Ext. 6726
st
1 Floor
E Bldg.
Evening students will find the Registration & Records Office (A201), Student Development (A131), the Admissions Office
(A105), the Cashier's Office (A205), and the Financial Aid Office (A114) open Thursdays until 6:00 p.m. Other offices also
serve evening students' needs--call during daytime hours to make arrangements. Dial 614-NCCC and the extension desired.
NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS
ABC 123
I.
Basic Course Information
A. Date
Approved:
Revised:
B. Division
C. Course Prefix, Number, and Title
D. Credit Hours
3 Credit Hours
E. Weekly Contact Hours (lecture/lab)
X Lecture Hours and X Laboratory Hour per Week
F. Pre-requisites
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Pre-requisites that may be met concurrently: None
G. Textbook
H. Meets the following Elective
Category(ies)
Meets XXXXXXXX elective
Meets XXXXXXXXX elective
I. Meets SUNY GER knowledge and skill
area(s)
At the completion of this course, the following SUNY General Education student learning outcomes
will be met. The student will demonstrate:
II.
Course Description
III.
Course Organization/Methods of Evaluation
Course Organization
Methods of Evaluation
IV.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course the student will:
V.
Course Outline
VI.
References (or Bibliography)
SUGGESTED COURSE OUTLINE
For distribution to students
1. General Information
Instructor’s name
Office location and hours (if no office is assigned, explain how student/faculty meetings occur)
Phone number
Email address
Course information: name, number, number of credit hours, pre-requisites Semester
Days & times, example: MWF 2:00
R 1:00
Location
2. Course Description
In accordance with the college catalog
3. Student Learning Outcomes
What will the student learn upon completion of the course? (Assessment strategies need to be tied to the stated
Student Learning Outcomes – SLO’s.)
4. Requirements (decisions, decisions)
Calendar of events—
Tests, papers, projects, labs
Papers/research projects -Include the important aspects of assessing papers and research projects. (It is always helpful to attach
or include a rubric that the instructor will be using to assess the quality of the student product.)
Tests—
Number of tests, units covered
Make-ups allowed? Or will the final count double?
Final—comprehensive or unit exam
Quizzes—
Announced or unannounced?
Used for a grade or as a learning experience?
Any quizzes dropped?
Labs—
Handed in and graded? How precise must the data be?
Attendance policy—
Number of cuts allowable
Excused or unexcused—does it really matter—why?
Penalty for excessive absences—and what if the student can learn the material without the instructor?
Tardiness policy—
Avoid disturbances to other students
Class participation—
Are you looking for quality or quantity?
Stress the student’s responsibility to the group
Homework—
Part of the grade?
Collected all of the time, some of the time, never?
Answers distributed in writing, covered in class, or on reserve?
Disability disclosure—
Offer of confidentiality to students in need of special accommodations
Use of Cell Phones and Computers:
Use of cell phones for voice or text messaging is not allowed during class time and cell phone should be turned off upon
entering the class. If desk or lap top computers are used, they are to be used for class purposes only and not for personal use,
such as web surfing, connecting to Face Book, etc.
Academic Integrity:
It is critical that students present their own work and not present the work of others as their own. Plagiarism is a serious offense
at the college level and may result in a failing grade. (Add a statement of consequences in your class, e.g. The first offense will
result in a grade of zero for the assignment; a second offense will result in a failing grade for the course. If you are not familiar
with how to cite sources for a paper or project, visit the writing center or the library for assistance.)
DETERMINATION OF GRADE BY PERCENTAGE
Example:
4 unit tests = 40%
Final
20%
10 quizzes
30%
Participation 10%
GRADES:
EXACTLY what constitutes an A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, S/U and how can the student
earn an F, N or I grade?
I GRADE
A student who requests an I grade (Incomplete) is required to arrange for completion of course work with his or her instructor.
The maximum time for the change of an I grade to a performance grade is determined by the instructor, but shall not exceed one
academic year. The Registration & Records Office will inform the instructor and student of the approach of the one year
deadline. Students will be sent a letter at the address last known to the NCCC Registration & Records Office. If no change of
grade is made by the instructor prior to the deadline, the I grade will automatically be converted to an F grade. To request an
Incomplete grade, the appropriate form titled "Request for Incomplete Grade" must be obtained in the Registration & Records
Office.
N GRADE
A grade of N indicates insufficient information for grading purposes. This grade indicates that the course was not completed,
and can negatively affect financial aid.
5. Tone
Keep it firm, but friendly. It’s nice if the student want to be there!
6. Sign-Off
Have the students sign a statement that they have read and understood the grading system. Problems can often be avoided
if you can show that they had full knowledge of what would be required.
7. Please forward a copy of your grading policy to the division chair.
SAMPLE OF SECTIONS OF THE COURSE OUTLINE
PSYCHOLOGY 110 – INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: Sandy Gallo
Office: E-121. Hours: Mon, 10:00—12:00, Tues, 3:30—4:30, Wed, 10:00—12:00 or by appointment. Ext. 432. (There
is an answering machine so you may leave a message if I am not available when you call.)
TEXT: Huffman, K. Vernoy, M. and Vernoy, J (1995). Essentials of Psychology in Action. New York: John Wiley &
Sons.
I.
Major course goals. By the end of the semester, students should have accomplished the following goals:
A. Developed an awareness and understanding of the terminology (vocabulary) of psychology.
B. Developed awareness and understanding the basic principles and concepts relating to the study of behavior and
mental processes.
C. Be able to recognized how the terms and principles of psychology influence and/or are demonstrated in daily
life.
II.
Pertinent information about course organization and requirements.
A. Instead of a single course outline, students will receive a brief outline of each unit to facilitate following class
lectures/discussions and preparation for exams.
B. Attendance in class is critical. Class sessions are your chance to ask questions, get clarification of material in
the book and hear explanation of additional information not found in the text.
1.
Attendance is taken at each session.
2.
A bonus of 2 points on the final average will be given to students with PERFECT attendance.
C. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any material missed during absences and to makeup any missed work
and/or tests.
D. Short papers based on applications of material and real world observations will be assigned.
E. For testing and grading policies, please see “Grading Policies” handout.
F. If you find you are having difficulty with any element of the course, PLEASE speak to me BEFORE class
performance is jeopardized.
G. Course organization
UNIT I—Psychological Perspectives and Methodology and the
Biological Bases of Behavior
Chapter 1—Introducing Psychology
Chapter 2—The Biological Base of Behavior
UNIT II—Learning and Memory
Chapter 5—Learning
Chapter 6—Memory
UNIT III—Motivation and Emotion
Chapter 9—Motivation
Chapter 10—Emotion, Stress and Coping
UNIT IV—Personality and Psychopathology
Chapter 11—Personality
Chapter 12—Abnormal Behavior
Chapter 13—Therapy
SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE--continued
Psychology 110
Sandy Gallo
GRADING POLICIES
Tests
1. Tests will be developed from any assigned reading material AND class presentations.
2. Essay components of tests will be taken home. The questions will be given to students at least one week before due
date. Points will be assigned to the essays. (Typed essays are preferred).
3. Multiple choice and/or short answer portions will be taken in class.
4. Test grade will be the sum of essay and short answer points.
5. All tests are weighted equally.
6. Essay portions of exams will not be accepted more than one week after the original due date. They will be
recorded as a 0.
7. Missed exams: All make-up tests must be scheduled with the instructor and will be GIVEN DURING
FINAL EXAM WEEK. Essay portions of the exam must be making up within two weeks of the student’s
return to class.
Papers
1. Weighted the same as tests.
2. A letter grade is assigned to papers. When final grades are computed, a numerical value will be assigned to the
letter grade and averaged with the test grades. The following scale is used: A+ = 98; A = 95; A- = 90; B+ = 88; B
= 85; B- = 80; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- = 70; D+ = 68; D = 65; D- = 60; F = 5-50 points depending on amount of
information included and its relationship to the question posed. The point allotment with an F will be provided to
the student when the paper is returned. For example, F – 40 will mean that an F grade was earned but 40 points
will be entered in the records for that assignment. This practice allows students who make a serious attempt at the
assignment but do not meet minimum requirements of the assignment to earn points for their effort.
3. Typing is not required but definitely preferred. Whether papers are typed or handwritten, double spacing must
be used. Any paper that is illegible will be returned to the student to be rewritten and pints deducted accordingly.
4. Papers that are one week late will be dropped a letter grade. Papers more than two weeks late will not be
accepted and recorded as a 0. It is the student’s responsibility to submit assignments before the final
deadline.
General
1. When computing final grades, the student’s lowest grade (test or paper) will be dropped.
2. Two points will be added to your final average for PERFECT attendance.
3. Attendance and class participation will be the deciding factor in whether or not borderline grades are raised to the
next highest letter grade category.
4. Students should keep all graded tests and papers until the semester is over. It is also wise to keep rough drafts of
papers and essays until the final draft is graded and returned.
5. It is expected that the student will do his/her own work both on tests and as directed in papers and essays.
Cheating or plagiarism will result in a 0 on the assignment for the first offense; additional offenses may
result in an F for the course.
Registration & Records Office
NEW EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK: A GUIDE TO THE REGISTRATION & RECORDS OFFICE
Julie L. Speer, Registrar, speer@niagaracc.suny.edu, Telephone: (716) 614-6251 Fax: (716) 614-6821
Website: www.niagaracc.suny.edu click on Academics, then Registration & Records
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm, and Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Mission Statement
The Registration & Records Office shall provide personalized quality service which is accessible and
responsive to a diverse community. The Office is charged with compliance to all federal, state, and institutional
regulations and policies as applicable to the areas of registration and records. Services are designed to preserve
the integrity, accuracy, and privacy of academic records while enabling students to obtain services in an
efficient manner. In unison with other support areas of the Student Services unit, the office fulfills a role in
facilitating and promoting the academic mission of the institution.
The Registration & Records Office provides many services to help students during their academic careers.
Here faculty and students will find information on registration, transcript requests, enrollment verifications, course audits,
S/U grading, course withdrawals, name/address changes, and transfer credit evaluations. Students may also visit the
Registration & Records Office (A-201) to file for graduation.
For a list of Registration & Records Office FAQ’s go to: http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/records/faqs.php
Important Dates for Faculty
Student Guide
Registration, Advisement, Add/Drop Assistance
Important Dates (Including Module deadlines)
REGISTRATION & RECORDS INFORMATION AND FORMS
Please Note: If the links below do not work, you need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader© on your computer.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader© free by clicking on the icon
A full list of Registration & Records information is available on our website:
Add/Drop Courses
Graduation
Audits
Name / Address / Social Security Number Changes
Change of Grades
Online Student Services
Confidentiality of Student Records (FERPA)
Registration
Course Offerings Search
Repeat Grades
Course Overloads
S/U Grades
Cross-Registration
Substitute/Waiver Courses
Degree Evaluation
Transcripts
Degree Verifications
Transfer Credit Policies & Procedures
Enrollment Verifications
Tuition & Fees
Final Grades
Withdrawals from the College
Frequently Asked Questions
Grade Explanation
The forms listed below are available for download in PDF format:
Add/Drop Form
Request for Course Substitution
Change of Name or Address
Request for Incomplete Grade
Election of S or U Grade
Verification of Enrollment
Request for Audit (J Grade)
Withdrawal From the College
OVERVIEW OF FACULTY REQUIREMENTS AND BANNERWEB INFORMATION
SUMMARY OF FACULTY REQUIREMENTS:
Click on the icon or the link for complete information regarding:
Class lists / rosters
Census
Mid-term deficiency
Graduation certification (FT faculty)
Final grade submission
Technical assistance is available in the Registration & Records Office during business hours. Instructors can access ONLY
their specific courses for grading.
 Do NOT input W, X, I, or J grades as they are input by Registration & Records ONLY
 We have a plus/minus grading system; however, there is no A+
 Grade changes are done by the Registration & Records Office only – forms are available in A-201. These forms
are NOT to be given out to students, or delivered by a student!!
FREQUENTLY ASKED BANNER QUESTIONS
Q: When do I receive my class roster?
A: You will receive a class listing by the first day of classes. You will receive your permanent roster after add/drop has ended
and enrollment is more stable. You are required to track attendance, test/quiz grades, final grades on your permanent roster.
Please check with your division office on retention of roster information.
Q: What is Census?
A: Census is the process of informing us of students who have never attended or have attended less than 50% of the first 3
weeks of classes. The deadline for submission of this information is always at the end of the first 3 weeks of classes. NCCC is
subject to Federal Audit of class rosters to verify student attendance and entitlement to receive financial aid. Inadvertently
reporting a student as non-attending when they actually are attending, or vice versa, can have significant consequences for
both the student and college. If a student returns to class, the instructor must call the Registration & Records Office to inform
us at ext. 6250.
Q: What is Mid-Term Deficiency reporting?
A: This is a warning program for students in danger of failing. At approximately 5 weeks into the semester, you will be asked to
indicate students in danger of failing your course. The deadline for submission is always two weeks prior to the start of
Advance Registration. Letters are sent to identified students by Academic Affairs.
Q: When are final grades due?
A: Final grades must be submitted online by faculty through Banner Web. The deadline is always 48 hours AFTER the final
activity/examination. The delay of even ONE faculty member halts the entire end of term process (academic standing, financial
aid, etc). Please submit promptly! Grades are no longer mailed and are posted on Banner Web for student viewing.
Q: What if a student requests an incomplete (I) grade?
A: The Incomplete Grade Request form can be found in the Registration & Records Office (A-201) or downloaded from our
website. The instructor must detail the requirements for completing the course. If the student has not completed the coursework
within one year, the I grade will automatically turn into an F.
Q: How do I change a grade?
A: The Registration & Records Office (A-201) has a Change of Grade form available to instructors only. If you are changing a
grade from something other than an I grade, you must have your Division Chairperson’s signature before it can be processed.
Please do not send student workers to pick up change of grade forms!
REMINDER: Banner Web Handbook link from the NCCC Homepage (off campus) or the FYI Page (on campus) at
https://ncccbanner.itec.suny.edu:11101/PROD/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=homepage
CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS / PRIVACY RIGHTS (FERPA)
Please read the following training session, answer the quiz and submit the answers. If you have any questions or
concerns, please email jallen@niagaracc.suny.edu or call 614-6222 ext. 4052.
ONLINE FERPA TRAINING
All new employees are required to complete the online FERPA training and submit a signed Acknowledgement Certificate to
the Registration & Records Office immediately upon hire.
You can access the online FERPA training at the website http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/ferpa/
You will need to read through the FERPA training information and then click on the appropriate quiz (as shown below). Once
you have completed the quiz, you will need to print out the Acknowledgement Certificate and return the signed form to the
Registration & Records Office (A-201).
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
In accordance with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education, it is mandated that each of
our employees is aware of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and knowledgeable about proper
disclosure of student information.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is FERPA?
FERPA protects the rights of students and ensures privacy and accuracy of education records. FERPA is enforced by the
Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education and allows the following:
Rights granted to students by FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.
These rights include:
…The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a
request for access.
…The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate.
…The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records,
except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
For more information regarding FERPA/Student Rights go to: http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/records/ferpa.php.
Should you wish to release personally identifiable information to an outside party (other than those exempted by law), you can
go to the following web page for a printable Release of Information form that must be completed, notarized, and returned to
the NCCC Registration & Records Office.
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/pdf/records/student_ferpa_release.pdf
What is "directory information"?
It is information that can be released without the student's written consent. Each college, to some extent, can determine what
information is classified as directory information. "Directory information" is information not generally considered harmful or
an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information CANNOT include student identification numbers or social security
numbers, race, gender, grades, gpa, country of citizenship, or religion.
Directory Information
Certain directory information may be released without the student’s permission. Niagara County Community College has
defined directory information to include: the student’s name, address (including email), telephone number, date and place of
birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, photograph, weight and height of
members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency
or institution attended by the student. However, you may prevent the release of such information by completing the appropriate
form in the Registration & Records Office or by using the printable Request for Non-Disclosure form:
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/pdf/records/request_for_nondisclosure.pdf
Parents' Rights
Parents may obtain DIRECTORY information IF the child is a legal dependent as claimed on the parental tax returns, parents
may obtain non directory information (grades, gpa, etc.), but only at the discretion of the institution. Parents may obtain non
directory information by obtaining a signed, notarized consent from their child (forms available in the Registration & Records
Office).
Please refer all parental requests for information directly to the Registration & Records Office (A-201).
Deceased Students
Deceased students are not covered under FERPA; however, it is the college's policy not to release educational records of
deceased students, unless required to do so by law or authorized to do so by (1) the executor of the deceased's estate; or (2) the
deceased student's spouse, parents or children. The College may request proof of death.
Please refer ALL requests for non-directory/personally identifiable student information to the Registration & Records
Office (A-201) or call (716) 614-6250.
Office of eLearning
niagaracc.suny.edu
Contact
Coordinator of Electronic Learning
Lisa Dubuc
716-614-6798 dubuc@niagaracc.suny.edu
e-Learning Technologies Integration Specialist
Donna Simiele
716-614-6487 dsimiele@niagaracc.suny.edu
e-Learning Student Support Specialist
Doug Mandell
716-614-6488 dmandell@niagaracc.suny.edu
Getting Assistance
If you need any assistance gaining access to your course(s), please contact the eLearning staff. If you need technical help with
ANGEL or Blackboard Learn you can contact the SLN help desk, attend one of our many open ANGEL and BB Learn
sessions, or contact Donna Simiele.
SLN Help Desk Web Page - http://sln.suny.edu/sln_helpdesk.htm
(You can submit an electronic help desk request from this page), or
Telephone: 1-800-875-6269 (toll-free within the United States1-518-443-5617 (direct)
The SLN help desk is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-9 p.m.
EST.
For additional support you can contact any of the electronic learning staff members.
Online Programs
NCCC currently offers 8 online and blended degree and certificate programs. Some programs allow students to complete
their entire degree without ever coming to campus. Other programs provide students the flexibility to complete a majority of the
course work online at NCCC and/or take a few courses online at other SUNY campuses. Upon successful completion of the
curriculum requirements, students completing their degree online at NCCC will be awarded the same credentials as students
who participate in on campus degree programs. You can view the online degree and certificate options at the NCCC eLearning
website.
eLearning FAQ’s
What is eLearning at NCCC?
The Office of Electronic Learning supports faculty, staff and students in online, hybrid (blended) and web-enhanced
teaching and learning. Incorporated in the eLearning process is the use of ANGEL and Blackboard Learn, the
campus learning management systems (see information about ANGEL and Blackboard Learn on the next page).
Through The SUNY Learning Network (SLN), NCCC offers online and blended degree/certificate programs along
with individual courses in 27 academic disciplines. Online & Hybrid courses follow the college calendar fall, spring
and summer semesters.
How can I find out more about eLearning at NCCC?
A listing of the various courses and other information about online learning can be found by clicking on the
Electronic Learning Quick Link at the campus website: http://niagaracc.suny.edu
How do I teach my course online?
The Office of Electronic Learning (EL) sends out a request for online &
hybrid course proposals each semester. If you are interested in teaching
online, you should talk to your division chair and the program coordinator.
Any proposal submitted to eLearning will need to be approved by the
division, eLearning Coordinator, and Vice President of Academic Affairs
What if my course proposal is accepted?
eLearning staff, in conjunction with SLN staff, train and support all new
online/hybrid instructors in pedagogy and best practices for online
learning. If you are approved to develop an online/hybrid course, you will
be given a customized schedule of training, as well as one-on-support
throughout the course development process and after you begin to teach the
course online.
Who do I contact with questions about online learning?
Contact Lisa or Donna in eLearning with any questions.
ANGEL - NCCC’s Campus Learning Management System FAQs
What is ANGEL?
Faculty, staff, and students at NCCC are supported in the online environment by our Learning Management systems
-ANGEL and Blackboard Learn. We are currently migrating from ANGEL to Blackboard Learn as Blackboard is the
new SUNY preferred platform. The migration will take place during the 2013/2014 Academic year and will run both
systems concurrently. Faculty may choose to support students by making course materials available in ANGEL or
BB Learn and/or by using ANGEL/BB Learn tools.
How do I access ANGEL or Blackboard Learn?
The links to both ANGEL and BB Learn can be found in the quick links menu on the NCCC website. Your log in for
both is the same as your Outlook email username and password. If you need help with this you can contact the
NCCC Office of Information Technology at 716-614-6730.
How can I learn how to use ANGEL or Blackboard tools?
ANGEL: Once you have logged into ANGEL, look in the Institutional Resources area of your homepage for help with using
ANGEL. Pay special attention to the SLN Evergreen – a comprehensive ANGEL tutorial, and the Faculty Resources. Also click
on the e Learning Event Calendar link to see scheduled workshop session information. EL offers a variety of topic specific
ANGEL workshops each semester. Information about these workshops is sent out near the beginning of each semester via a
System Message that you will receive in your campus email. EL also offers open sessions for faculty who want to ask
questions or get assistance with content creation, instructional design and other “how to’s” and tips for delivering content via
ANGEL.
Blackboard Learn: At this time only faculty that are signed up to be in our pilot group A have access to Blackboard Learn and
access to the various workshops and training opportunities. Please view “NCCC today” in your college email for updates about
the migration and further information.
What if I want my students to use ANGEL/BB Learn to access my course?
If you plan to have your students use ANGEL, please provide them with log on instructions and
suggest they attend an ANGEL or Blackboard Learn workshop. You can either make copies of the log
on instructions at our website or send students to the website to get their own. EL offers students
workshops just after the start of each semester. Information about student workshops is also located on our
Electronic Learning homepage. Session flyers can be printed and copied for handouts. Students log into ANGEL
and Blackboard Learn with the same credentials as their college T-Wolves mail. They must enroll in T-Wolves in
order to activate their ANGEL or BB Learn accounts. If students have trouble with the log in they will need to
contact the NCCC OIT T-Wolves hotline at 716-210-2505, or visit D163 on campus.
How do I get help with ANGEL or Blackboard Learn?
The SLN Help Desk provides technical support for faculty and student users. You or your students can send a help
request by filling out the form located at http://sln.suny .edu; click the link “Get Help”. You can also reach them by
calling 1-800-875-6269 and following the menu choices. Other ANGEL or BB Learn questions, such as how to web
enhance your class or how to request a group or LOR, can be answered by EL staff at any of these phone numbers:
716-614-6798; 716-614-6488; 716-614-6487, or send a campus email message to elearning@niagaracc.suny.edu.
For more information on tips for Teaching with Technology or Teaching Well Online,
please visit our eLearning Blog “Beyond the Bricks” at http://ncccelearning.com. The blog content is
devoted to learning innovation and best practices for Teaching Well Online and used as a resource site to support
eLearning faculty at Niagara County Community College.
Office of Information Technology Services
Faculty/Staff IT Needs and Services
This page is meant to provide an overview of services and needs that are provided by the Office of Information
Technology at NCCC. Topics below discuss various resources that are used by faculty and staff.
Michaels, Dennis - Chief Information Officer
E-mail: dmichaels@niagaracc.suny.edu
Jesse Cole-Goldberg – Director of Technical Services
E-mail: jcole-goldberg@niagaracc.suny.edu
Matthews, Kathy - Microcomputer Coordinator
E-mail: kmatthews@niagaracc.suny.edu
Olkowski, Karol - Help Desk
E-mail: kolkowski@niagaracc.suny.edu
Genet, Heidi - Help Desk
E-mail: hgenet@niagaracc.suny.edu
The Office of Information Technology Services, OITS at NCCC has planning, delivery and operating responsibility for all
computing, telecommunications, media, and data administration resources for the College.
OITS provides a wide range of technical and application services to support the effective use of technology by the college's
students, staff, and faculty.
OITS Help Desk Services
OIT help desk point-of-contact staff provide phone or on-site support for both technical and application related issues by
directing calls and requests to the appropriate OIT support staff for analysis, definition, and resolution.
Services
Staff
Computer Recommendations
Computer Use Policy:
o Word Format
o Acrobat Format
Computer Use Waiver Form:
o Word Format
o Acrobat Format
Web Accessibility Resources
o Text-to-Speech
 ReadPlease 2003
 Additional Languages for ReadPlease
 Help Guides
Useful Links
BANNER WEB & BANNER PRODUCTION
All faculty and staff will be provided with a Banner ID that can be used to access Banner Web functions, which
include:
Updating Personal Information
Submitting Final Course Grades
Various advising functions, including academic student transcripts and records of advisees
Viewing class schedules and availability
Your Banner ID is in the format @00######, where the # symbol represents any number from 0-9. You can find out
your Banner ID in three ways:
1. By looking on the back of your NCCC ID card.
2. By contacting your Division secretary.
EMAIL
All Faculty and Staff are entitled to an NCCC email account. To request and account please see your Division
secretary or supervisor. Once an email account has been created, you can access your email in two ways:
1. On Campus: You can set up Microsoft Outlook to access your email. Please call the OIT Help Desk at 6146730 if you need assistance in setting up your account.
2. On or Off Campus: We have set up web access to email accounts. You can access the page by going to the
NCCC home page (http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu) and clicking on the link titled "Outlook Web Access". If
you have any questions, please see the FAQ section located on this page.
ANGEL
ANGEL is the NCCC web-based course management portal. Faculty may choose to use ANGEL to supplement oncampus instruction and some online courses are run through the ANGEL course management portal.
With ANGEL you can create quizzes, tests, surveys, download course related materials, have assignments submitted
electronically, display grades, and communicate with your students. You can also use ANGEL to store files, either
through your ANGEL file manager or your personal Library Object Repository (LOR).
As of the Fall 2007 semester, we have moved ANGEL to a new platform that is hosted by the SUNY Learning
Network (SLN). ANGEL can be accessed at the following URL: helpdesk@sln.suny.edu
For any technical issues or how-to's (adding content, maintaining grades, etc.) you may contact The Office of
Distance Learning at (716)614-6798 or the OIT Help Desk at (716)614-6730. If you need assistance logging into
ANGEL, you may contact the SLN Help Desk at 1-800-875-6269 or by email at helpdesk@sln.suny.edu.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTING
The Office of Information Technology provides staffing and support for all staff and faculty computers, student
computer labs and classrooms. This comprises support services for the technology on campus including Help Desk,
as well as the operation of the public computing labs, "Smart" classrooms, and the Cyber Café.
COMPUTER UPGRADE PROGRAM
The Information Steering Committee at NCCC has developed a desktop upgrade plan to ensure that the computing
equipment avail to the NCCC community is up to date. OIT executes this plan by acquiring, configuring and
migrating the desktop computers.
Henrietta G. Lewis Library
Library Phone Directory:
Library Hours:
614-6222
614-6705
614-6787
614-6781
614-6797
614-6786
614-6785
614-6792
During the Fall and Spring semesters the
Library is generally open:
Monday – Thursday 8 am – 9 pm
Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Saturday 11 am – 3 pm
Sunday – CLOSED
NCCC General Number
Henrietta G. Lewis Library
Archives
Circulation
ILL
Reference
Reserves
Director’s Office
Library hours are subject to change—summer hours vary.
History
The most architecturally striking building of the campus, D Building is
the heart of the College in many ways.
The Henrietta G. Lewis Library's four floors house the College's
collection of books, periodicals, media, and audio visual equipment.
The Office of Information Technology, V. James Renda Faculty
Resource Center, Open Access Computer Lab, Multimedia Resources,
Distance Learning, and Technical Support Services are also located in
this building.
Welcome to NCCC’s Henrietta G. Lewis Library. The library houses a comprehensive collection of print and
media, and provides access to thousands of journal articles. Off campus students can begin their research right from
this page. If you are on campus, we invite you to visit the library and let us show you around.
The Library’s Catalog (ALEPH)
The Henrietta G. Lewis Library has an online catalog (ALEPH) and a number of Internet workstations with access to periodical
databases. The Lewis Library is open 64 hours per week.
ALEPH is our online Library Catalog. You may use it to locate books, videos, CDs, DVDs and Course Reserve materials.
You can access this catalog at http://delaware.sunyconnect.suny.edu:4800/F
Library Services for Faculty
Circulation
The Circulation Desk is located directly inside the front doors of the Henrietta G. Lewis Library. This is where books and
magazines are borrowed and returned. A second Check-Out Desk is available for you to check out and return media (videos,
films, music recordings, etc.) and to borrow Reserve items. You may also return material in the Book Drop on the first floor of
D Building next to the entry stairs.
Inter Library Loans
First Time Users Registration for Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad)
To request an item through Interlibrary Loan, you must first identify yourself to the library's ILLiad system. To do this
you fill out a registration form using your Web browser.
Registration has three purposes:
Entering your personal information into the ILLiad system means you will not have to supply the information again
when making future requests.
Having your e-mail and regular mail addresses on file with Interlibrary Loan enables us to notify you promptly and
deliver materials accurately when your request arrives in the library.
By specifying a Username and Password of your choosing, you will have secure access to information about your
requests. You will also be able to review the list of items you have requested in the past.
Library Instruction Classes
An automated online Request Library Instruction form located on
the Lewis Library webpage to process and track your Library
Instruction Class Request.
The Librarians at NCCC teach students across all disciplines and at
all levels how to use an academic library effectively. Our formal,
course-integrated library instruction program gives you the
opportunity to ensure that your students know how to search for
information that they need for assignments, how to retrieve that
information, and how to evaluate it. Librarians are happy to work
with you to develop assignments that are successful library
experiences for your students.
We ask that you schedule at least TWO WEEKS in advance. Drop-in
classes are strongly discouraged.
We must receive a copy of your assignment before the booking can be finalized.
Drop your assignment off in the Library Office D134 or email it to Lillian Passanese and Barb Rupple.
Circulation
The Circulation Desk is located directly inside the front doors of
the Henrietta G. Lewis Library. This is where books and
magazines are borrowed and returned. A second Check-Out
Desk is available for you to check out and return media (videos,
films, music recordings, etc.) and to borrow Reserve items. You
may also return material in the Book Drop on the first floor of D
Building next to the entry stairs.
In addition to checking out and checking in material, the
Circulation Staff will assist you in placing a "hold" on a book or
video; help you use media, microforms, reserves, and
periodicals.
Borrowing Material:
Borrowing material is simple. All you need is your NCCC ID card. This card also entitles you to borrowing
privileges at other State University of New York (SUNY) libraries.
I. D. cards are required for Niagara County Community College students, faculty, administrators, and staff to borrow
material. Cards may be obtained at the Security Office located in G Building. Also available are LAP (Library
Access Project) cards which can be used to borrow items from local private colleges. LAP cards are available at the
Reference/Information Desk. For those not employed by or attending NCCC, an Off-Campus Borrower card, which
entitles you to borrow books and periodicals from NCCC only, may be completed at the Circulation Desk. Specific
rules and regulations can be found for borrowing all materials at Borrowing Policy and Overdue Material links.
Course Reserves
The Lewis Library provides a Course Reserves service to support instructional programs at NCCC. Faculty may place
high demand class related materials on reserve with restricted loan periods. These materials may include:
Lewis Library books
Personal copy books
Lewis Library owned media materials such as VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs
Personal copy media materials such as VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs
Photocopies of documents such as articles, sample exams, readings, lecture notes, etc.
All reserve items are available at the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor of the Library.
Technical Services
The Library's Technical Services department is responsible for acquiring, cataloging and processing the print materials for the
library. Librarian do most of the selection, however, we encourage - and sometimes beg - for input from our subject experts, the
faculty. To make that easier, CHOICE cards are distributed to all academic divisions. Each card contains a book review.
Faculty review the cards from their specialty, and return the ones they would like us to purchase. We also accept requests for
purchase from publisher's catalogs, scraps of paper, phone calls, emails, etc.
The Library's book budget has remained steady and healthy for the past few years. We attempt to purchase a wide variety of
materials in topics that support the college's curricula. We also purchase titles that appeal to our college community, such as
popular fiction and how-to books.
"Tech Services" is also responsible for the library's print and electronic subscriptions. We maintain about 300 print titles, and
have access to thousands of journals and magazines via our 100+ databases.
Media Collections in the Lewis Library
The NCCC Henrietta G. Lewis Library offers a wide
variety of print, media and electronic resources. The
Library subscribes to over 300 magazines, journals
and newspapers, and over 100 electronic databases.
Number of volumes: 88,000
Current subscriptions: 300
Microform titles: 64
Archives: 266.5 linear feet
Multi-media collection: 5,670 titles
Special collections: 183 books
Electronic databases: 115
Media Services
Audio Visual Materials
The Library has an extensive collection of audiovisual materials in the Media Services department.
The various formats include videos (VHS and
DVD formats), and compact discs. All of the
media items are listed in our catalog by title,
subject, and when pertinent, by author such as the presenter or composer. A summary of the contents of videos and
other media is in the catalog. Each type of media is shelved by call number within its own section in the Media area
on the Library's 3rd floor, All media can be checked out to faculty and staff.
Equipment Loans
Most classrooms are now smart rooms. However, if you still need equipment, the following equipment may
be reserved and picked up from the Library Division office:
Audiocassette Players
CD Players
DVD Players
Elmo Projectors
LCD Data Projectors
Overhead Projectors
Screens
Slide Projectors
Smart Carts
Video Projectors
VCR
Reference Desk
The Reference Services Desk is located on the 2nd floor of the Lewis Library and is staffed by a librarian whenever the library
is open. We provide assistance to NCCC students, faculty and staff, as well as Niagara County residents. We pride ourselves on
being approachable and delivering quality service.
If you unable to come to the library in person, you may call the Reference Desk at 614-6786, or send an email to
refdesk@niagaracc.suny.edu. Keep in mind that some questions require more in-depth research than a phone call or email
can contain. However, quick reference questions, such as “what is the average daily temperature in Orlando?” are
perfect for this medium. The librarians usually respond within 2 business days.
Reference Collection
The Reference collection primarily consists of atlases, bibliographies, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, handbooks,
indexes, and statistical sources.
To search for REFERENCE BOOKS, first be sure that "Advanced Search appears at the top of the page. If not, click the tab
labeled "Advanced Search." Limit your search to "Reference, 2nd Floor," in the drop-down box labeled "More Collections."
Advanced Search for Reference Books
E-Reference Books
Credo Reference is a link to a nearly 300 full text reference sources covering a broad range of topics including art, medicine,
history, technology and science. Also accessible from this database are images, audio pronunciation files, a citation formatter,
and customizable data tables that can be exported into spreadsheets.
Online Search Service
The Online Search Service (OSS) connects you to over 450 databases in many different subject areas. Some of the ways that
faculty use OSS are to update course bibliographies, to research scholarly topics of interest, and to find citations for articles.
Contact Jeanne at 614-6791 for further assistance.
Reference Databases
A-Z Database List
This guide contains a full list of library databases organized by name http://libguides.niagaracc.suny.edu/databases
Databases Subject Listing
Some of the Library’s more popular databases organized by subject http://libguides.niagaracc.suny.edu/db-subject
Library Databases
Available on and off-campus to registered NCCC Library users
If you experience problems connecting to any of the library databases, contact the Library Reference Desk at (716) 614-6786.
Looking for a particular journal? – Try JournalFinder
You can find journal articles by searching one of the databases listed below:
General - Art - Business - Criminal Justice - Education - Health
Literature - Newspapers - PhysEd - Psychology - Science - Vocational
Archives
The Henrietta G. Lewis Library Archives Collection consists of
many kinds of materials documenting the history of Niagara County
Community College. Included are yearbooks, student newspapers,
news clippings, photographs, programs, student and faculty
publications, college catalogs, commencement programs, and much
more. To see what is in the Archives Collection you can use the
Library's online catalog, ALEPH.
Materials from Archives are available for in-library use only.
Contact Karen Ferington, Archives/Catalog Librarian at
716.614.6787 for more information or e-mail Karen at:
feringtk@niagaracc.suny.edu.
Human Resources
Human Resources Hours of Operation
Academic Year: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:15 PM
HR Staff
Don Armstrong, Interim Director of Human Resources
Phone: (716) 614-5951
E-mail: darmstrong@niagaracc.suny.edu
Vicki Orzetti, Assistant Director
Phone: (716) 614-5952
E-mail: orzetti@niagaracc.suny.edu
Dan Kaufmann, Assistant Director
Phone: (716) 614-5295
E-mail: dkaufmann@niagaracc.suny.edu
Marcia Pashong, Personnel Records Clerk
Phone: (716) 614-6222, Ext. 4008
E-mail: mpashong@niagaracc.suny.edu
Michelle Walsh, Typist
Phone: (716) 614-6222, Ext. 4007
E-mail: mwalsh@niagaracc.suny.edu
Diane Martineau, PT Typist
Phone: (716) 614-6222, Ext. 4009
E-mail: dmartineau@niagaracc.suny.edu
The Office of Human Resources provides high-quality service in a timely and personal manner, with total regard for
confidentiality. Located on the second floor of the Ernest Notar Administration Building (A-Building), Room A-261, the office
serves nearly 325 full-time and 375 part-time employees. Typical functions range from benefits administration, employee
relations, the handling and investigation of discrimination complaints, the development and implementation of equity and
diversity principles for the advancement of Affirmative Action, Title IX, ADA and other EEOC compliance issues, to union
contract administration, employee training and development, position classification, and compensation management. Website
Human Resources Office or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/facultystaff/hr.php?section=faculty-staff&subsection=hr
Goal of Human Resources
The goal of the Office of Human Resources is to provide high-quality service in a timely and personal manner, with total regard
for confidentiality for all employees.
Employee Classifications
There are four basic classifications of employees are administrators, faculty, support staff, and part time.
There are four bargaining units, the NCCC Faculty Association (FANCCC), the NCCC Educational Personnel Association
(ESPA), the NCCC Technical Support Personnel Association (TSPA), and the NCCC Adjunct Association. Members of the
Faculty Association are all full time teaching faculty, counselors, librarians, non-ranked professionals, technical assistants and
non-credit instructors. Members of the ESPA and TSPA are considered the support staff with secretarial positions, campus
security officers, positions in the Office of Information Technology (programmers, micro computer coordinator, help desk
receptionists) and positions in the print shop and mail room being members of the ESPA while positions in the maintenance,
cleaning, groundskeepers and storeroom are members of the TSPA. The Adjunct Association represents all part time credit
instructors who teach at least three credits in a semester.
Employee Benefits
The college provides a comprehensive benefits package to its administrators and to members of the Faculty Association, the
ESPA, and the TSPA that vary with each group. Benefits include excellent health insurance plans with a generous employer
contribution, membership in one of the NYS retirement systems: the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), the Employees’
Retirement System (ERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) a defined contribution plan through one of the authorized
vendors (TIAA-CREF, MetLife, VALIC, or AETNA), tax deferred annuities (403B and 457 plans) as well as generous sick,
vacation, personal, and compensatory time accruals, and virtually all holidays. Additional benefits such as extended sick
leaves, bereavement, sabbatical/educational leaves and assistance, and professional development opportunities are also
available as prescribed by collective bargaining agreements or the administrator’s conditions of employment.
Campus Security
Security Information and OSHA Training
Campus Security information can be found online on FYI Page Security/Safety or the NCCC Homepage
http://fyi.niagaracc.suny.edu/newfyi/?pageid=8
Helpful Links
Code Red - Door Lock Instructions
Critical Incident Response Plan
Campus Theft Alert
Fire Safety Info Bulletin
Tobacco Free Environment Policy
Telephone Bomb Threat Information
MSDS Resources
Emergency Procedures
UPDATED: School Closing Policy (2013-2014)
Safety Test On line
How to Contact the NCCC Security Department: Sanborn
- We can be reached by calling 614-6400 from an off campus line.
- Calling extension 555 or 6400 from on-campus phones.
- Blue phones on campus by lifting receiver
- By reporting directly to our office, G106
NCCC Security at NFCI
- 210-2555 from off campus
- Extension 2555 from on NFCI campus phone
- at the security office located at the reception desk
The NCCC Security Department is a 24/7 operation on the Sanborn campus and 7a-11p on the NFCI campus. This department
consists of both full and part-time officers who are highly trained/licensed security professionals that are here to assist and
protect the college community.
The NCCC Security Office in located in G106 on the Sanborn campus and at the reception desk at NFCI. We are on the North
side of G-building, near the G1 Snack bar and have a blue light at our building entrance.
As a service-oriented group, the Security Department is responsible for assisting in first aid, personal safety, CPR, AED, fire &
traffic safety, crime prevention, emergency notification, lectures on various topics, and documenting incidents that occur on
campus.
NCCC Security Officers have the authority to ask persons for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful
business on campus. Security Officers may detain persons suspected of unlawful activity. They also have the authority to issue
parking tickets, which are payable to the Town of Cambria. Criminal incidents are referred to the police agencies that have
jurisdiction on campus.
New York State Police
Niagara County Sheriffs Dept.
City of Niagara Falls Police
(716) 297-0755
(716) 438-3393 or 911
(716) 286-4547
Services
The NCCC Security Department works hard to provide a high level of protection for you and your property. We
have a closed circuit television (CCTV) system with surveillance cameras in various locations throughout campus.
Our officers conduct inspections of fire extinguishers and safety equipment.
We conduct light surveys for interior & exterior lighting.
The NCCC Security Department also issues college ID cards to all students, faculty and staff. Your college
IDs functions as your library card and grants you access to the college computer labs, fitness center and
NCCC sponsored events.
We provide escorts upon request.
All NCCC students and employees must carry their college ID card with them on campus at all times. They are
required to present this card upon the request of a campus security officer. But we are only as effective as you allow
us to be. We need to work together to provide a safe place to study, work and live; therefore, it is important that you
cooperate with our department and utilize our services at every opportunity.
Emergency Reference Flip Charts are located on the backs of doors throughout the Sanborn and
NFCI campuses for your use. They may also be located on our NCCC Security Websites listed as
“Emergency Reference Flip Charts.”
Lockdown Procedures
1. Identify that the person is an intruder. Verification should be made that there is indeed an intruder in the buildings, or
on campus contact Security at Ext. 555 or 6400 on the Sanborn campus and at Ext. 2555 on the NFCI campus. Security
will notify law enforcement personnel.
2. If proceeding without the immediate assistance of Security personnel, call local law enforcement agency by dialing 911
and follow their instructions. Do not attempt to overtake the assailant. Be prepared to give detailed information.
Continue to attempt to notify Security if possible.
3. Security will notify the President of the threat on campus.
4. Using the Public Address System, an announcement will be made stating:
“There is a Code Red Lockdown in the facility. All occupants are to follow the Code Red Lockdown Response
Procedures”
Code Red Lockdown Response Procedures
1. A lockdown of all class rooms, offices, and assembly halls will take place immediately. Personnel will be responsible
for locking the rooms they occupy.
2. Room occupants are to move to the corner of the room where least visible from door. Windows are to be closed and
lights should be turned off. Once the door is secure, no one is to be allowed into your locked room.
3. When the Security Office and/or local law enforcement give the “all clear”, an announcement will be made over the
campus PA system.
Evacuation Procedures
In the event of a fire, smoke, smoke odor, natural gas leak, biological hazard, or upon receiving a bomb or disaster threat,
recipient of such information will contact the Security Office by calling Ext. 555 or 6400.
1. If Security cannot be contacted, call 911.
2. If there is an obvious fire, sue the closest emergency pull station to sound the evacuation alarm.
3. The Security Office will either evacuate the complex or follow the predetermined procedures for the specific type of
emergency. The evacuation will take place by activating the fire alarm.
4. Evacuating personnel should leave all lights on and close—but not lock—doors.
5. Evacuated personnel will always move themselves to one of the Evacuation Meeting place Signs located in lots 1,3,4 5,
or 7, taking care not to block entrance ways, driveways, or fire lanes. Do not evacuate to the east side of the campus
near the Boiler Room.
6. If an object is discovered, it is not to be removed or examined. Personnel making such a discovery should contact the
Security Office at Ext. 555 or ext 6400 on the Sanborn campus, or extension 2555 on the NFCI campus, or by using the
outside emergency phones.
7. When the Security Office and/or local law enforcement gives the “all clear” an announcement will be made over the
campus PA system. Security and Maintenance personnel will assist in instructing everyone to return.
Online Safety Training
STEP 1: Read the safety training material -- Safety Training Online
This general information training is for all employees. Please contact your supervisor for “area specific”
training.
STEP 2: Time to take the quiz
NCCC Safety Quiz: http://www.quia.com/quiz/1806216.html Please click on this link to access the quiz then enter your
name in the boxes provided. Once you have completed the quiz, select SUBMIT ANSWERS and you will see your
score with the questions and answers for your review. Once you have reviewed your answers click on DONE. You
must then close out of the Quia program. If you have any questions, please contact Vicki Orzetti at 614-5952 or via
email at orzetti@niagaracc.suny.edu.
Silent Witness - Tips
If you see crime or suspicious activities occurring on campus and would like to report it
anonymously; click on this link. ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
Student Development
“Providing Support Services for Student Success”
Student Development is committed to providing students at NCCC with the necessary support to successfully achieve their
personal and educational goals. The main office is located in A131. Placement Testing is located in A167.
Student Development Links
Academic Counseling
Accessibility Services
Advisement Services
Career Planning
Cooperative Education
Curriculum Change
Dual Admission
Employment Services
International Student Services
Placement Testing
Transfer Counseling
Veterans Services
Withdrawal Exit Counseling
Work-Study Program
Also, be on the lookout for the Unschedule! Each semester we publish this booklet listing FREE on-campus workshops you
can attend on everything from academic skills to career services to dual admissions.
Click Here to view frequently asked questions about Student Development.
Academic Counseling
Counselors are available to answer students’ academic questions and assist students in reaching their academic goals. Referrals
to on-campus academic support services may be obtained.
Accessibility Services
The College provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students should schedule an appointment with
the Accessibility Services Program Administrator and bring documentation that supports the request for accommodations.
Student Development provides adaptive technology and equipment for students who are granted accommodations, including
synthetic voice readers for students who need tests and books read to them, on-site and portable magnifiers for vision-impaired
students, note taking smart pens, software that can be installed on students’ personal computers that assists with reading and
writing, and much more. Students also have access to an adaptive technology training and resource area.
Advisement Services
New Students
Student Development and the Registration & Records Office coordinate the STARS (Student Advisement/Registration
Sessions) for new students. The sessions are typically scheduled from mid November to late January for the spring semester
and late April through August for fall registrants. Sessions begin with a short information session, followed by a meeting with
an academic advisor and online registration for classes. Students can also get their student identification card at this time.
Continuing Students
All matriculated students are assigned an advisor who can answer questions related to grade options, course requirements,
transfer choices, and career pathways. Requests for change of advisor should be submitted to Student Development
Non Matriculated Students
Workshops are conducted each semester by a Student Development counselor who has been designated as a resource for nonmatriculated students. These sessions provide an overview of the application process for those who are interested in
matriculating in a future semester. Students also have access to professionals in Student Development for assistance with
academic and career guidance, course selection, and academic concerns.
Career Planning
It is very common for students to be undecided about their career goals. Counselors in Student Development can assist students
through a process intended to increase awareness of various career choices. A variety of research tools are available to students
to assist with career decision making.
Employment Services
Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education (Co-Op) combines academic requirements and coursework with supervised work experiences. Students
can apply what they learn at NCCC on the job and are exposed to new skills and knowledge at work which supplement the
entire academic experience. In addition, students also receive academic credit and a grade. Co-Op courses are open to all
majors. Students have the option of registering for Co-Op placements that require 40 (1 credit), 80 (2 credits), or 120 (3 credits)
hours of work experience.
Federal Work Study Program
Students who are awarded Federal Work Study Program funds as part of the financial aid package will be sent information one
month before the semester begins that explains how to secure a Work Study job. Students who are not awarded these funds can
go to Financial Aid to inquire about eligibility.
Student Employment
Student Employment services are provided to current students as well as graduates. Information on a variety of employment
opportunities is available. In addition, students can get assistance with cover letter and resume writing, interview skills and the
job search, or take advantage of the print resources on these topics. NCCC has a strong relationship with many local
employers, who come to our Job Fair each semester and frequently contact us seeking our students and graduates for
employment.
Curriculum Change
Students who wish to change their major (curriculum) may make an appointment with a counselor to discuss the reasons for the
change and its appropriateness in relation to the student’s goals. The curriculum change application is also available on Banner
Web under the Student Services and Financial Aid tab. Click on Student Records and select Curriculum Change Application.
Dual Admission
These articulation agreements ensure that students make a smooth transition to the institution to which they choose to transfer.
This transfer process is available to NCCC students who have not attended any other college and have less than 30 college
credits earned. Meet with a counselor or go on-line at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/admissions/dualadmission.php to learn
more.
International Student Services
A Student Development professional is available to assist continuing international students with F-1 Visa status and compliance
issues, and to sign the I-20 each year. Students seeking employment authorization should make an appointment to discuss
eligibility, documentation, fees, and submission deadlines.
Placement Testing
Student Development staff administer the College’s assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics. Placement testing is
mandated by the College to ensure proper course placement. Questions pertaining to scheduling and placement results should
be directed to this office in A167.
Transfer Counseling
A large percentage of NCCC students transfer to 4-year institutions. Counselors are available to assist students in selecting and
connecting with institutions which offer the major they are seeking. Visits with admission representatives from area colleges
can often be arranged on our campus.
The Unschedule
The workshops and seminars listed in the Unschedule are designed to assist students with academic, vocational, transfer and
personal issues that need to be addressed at various times during the school year. The Unschedule is published each semester to
help make students more aware of the variety of resources available to help them resolve the problems and issues they
encounter.
Veteran Services
Veteran Services helps students navigate paperwork necessary to apply for GI Bill benefits. NCCC is responsible for reporting
accurate and timely enrollment information (applicable enrolled courses, changes to course load, attendance, non-punitive
grades, and unsatisfactory academic progress) to the Buffalo VA Regional Processing Office. The Buffalo RPO determines
eligibility and processes payment based on this information. Staff members assist with general College and GI Bill benefit
concerns and work with other college offices to expedite paperwork on behalf of our veteran population.
Withdrawal Exit Counseling
If a student decides to withdraw from all courses during a semester, the student must submit an application for withdrawal in
the Registration and Records Office (A 201). Exit counseling is available in Student Development to assist students in
understanding alternatives to, and outcomes of, withdrawing from NCCC.
V. James Renda Faculty Resource Center
for Academic Excellence
"Committed to quality programs to enhance teaching and learning at N.C.C.C."
Welcome
Thank you for visiting our web site. We hope you find it useful and informative. If you have any comments or
suggestions for the site, please drop us an email or stop by the Center when you are on our campus. Your feedback is
welcome. Important information and resources for faculty will be found on our web site
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/frcae/. We hope you find it useful and informative. If you have any comments or
suggestions for the site, please drop us an email or stop by the Center when you are on our campus. Your feedback is welcome.
Mission of the Center
Our Mission is to be a comprehensive instructional resource center that provides focus, coordination, equipment, and
human resources necessary to develop excellence in the teaching and learning process at NCCC. The Center strives
to maintain a balance among three main strands of emphasis. Those emphases are pedagogy, scholarship of teaching
and learning, and effective technology use in the classroom.
History
Founded in 1989 under a Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant, the FRCAE funded projects that involved 250
faculty members. In 1993 when the grant ended, the College funded the Center and it moved to its present location in
D121. The Center is staffed with the Coordinator and a secretary both of whom are assigned to the Center, along
with other areas of responsibility. The Center's Advisory Board has faculty members from each division and advises
the Center staff on issues and activities.
Visit our website at Faculty Resource Center or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/frcae/
Staff
Professor/Coordinator
Lillian Passanese (716) 614-6790
Email: passanli@niagaracc.suny.edu
Lillian's Bio
Secretary
Maureen Winters (716) 614-6222 Ext. 4075
winters@niagaracc.suny.edu
Advisory Board 2013-2014 Academic Year
The Center has an Advisory Board of Faculty Members who guide the FRCAE staff in programming and policy decisions
under the Direction of Lillian Passanese, Professor/Coordinator.
Membership will consist of representatives from each academic division, Division of Student Services, Office of Academic
Affairs, chairs of the Instructional Resources and Professional Development committees of the NCCC Faculty Senate.
The Mission of the advisory board is to assist the Coordinator in meeting the needs of the faculty in their pursuit of excellence
in the teaching and learning process at Niagara County Community College.
The Role of the advisory board member is to represent the faculty needs of their division or the committee they chair, to
promote participation in activities and use of the services and resources offered by the Center, and to assist in decision making
regarding policies, procedures and focus of the Center.
.
Faculty Advisory Board 2013-2014 Academic Year
Audrey Agnello
Business Education
B Building
Lois Hall
Arts & Media
F Building
Marguerite Newton
Math/Science/Technology
C Building
Debbie Sorrentino
Math/Science/Technology
C Building
Timothy Boland
PT Faculty Representative
Life Science
C Building
Nancy Knechtel
Fine Arts
F Building
Marc Pietrzykowski
Co-Chair PD Committee
Humanities
E Building
Yvonne Szymanski
Life Science
C Building
Daniel Miller
Math/Science/Technology
C Building
Lynn Brochu
HPE
H Building
Matthew Clarcq
Social Science/Chair IRC
E Building
Denise David
Humanities
E Building
Michelle Mistriner
Social Science
E Building
Robert Morris
Humanities
E Building
Michael Pikus
Humanities
E Building
Christine Tirella
Co-Chair PD Committee
Math
C Building
Carol Rogers
Social Science
E Building
Lydia Ulatowski
Asst. VP Academic Affairs
A Building
Brenda Simonson
HPE
H Building
Under the direction of Lillian Passanese, Professor/Coordinator FRCAE
General Information
What Does the Center Have to Offer?
FRCAE is a resource that faculty are invited to utilize through visiting the Center and/or this website. Should you
discover a resource that you believe would be beneficial to the faculty, contact us.
The Center provides access to software applications and office equipment such as printers, scanners, audio/video
recording and editing. Additionally, faculty members are able to borrow equipment on a daily/weekly basis. Please
visit the equipment page for further details.
The Center provides support to faculty and provides opportunities for faculty to grow through the provision of:
Workshops
throughout the
academic year
Presentations
by consultants
Instruction in
the use of new
instructional
technologies
Discussion and
brainstorming
with the
coordinator
Assistance in
locating
resources on
teaching and
learning
conference
information
The Center sponsors activities to encourage professional exchange by supporting:
Special interest groups
Teaching circles
Academic round-table
Sharing innovations in the classroom
Topics include strategies for teaching, writing, research, assessment, mentoring, etc...
The Center provides a convenient location to host celebrations to honor the achievements of our faculty.
Publicizing accomplishments
Receptions honoring faculty
Displays of faculty work in the Center and the Art Gallery
Resources
Below are some additional links to assist you:
Adjunct Faculty Handbook
Banner Web Handbook
Student Code of Conduct
Online Resources for Faculty
FRCAE researches websites regarding teaching resources for topics specific to higher education. NCCC faculty are
invited to utilize all the resources made available through the center and its website.
Assessment
Case Study
Classroom Management
Copyright
Critical Thinking
Division Chairs
Faculty Evaluation
Learning Styles
Multimedia Reference Sources
Student Retention
Teaching Materials Online
Teaching and Technology
Teaching Tips
Technology in the Classroom
Tutorials
Wireless Classroom
Useful Hints
Campus Contact Information
Campus Maps
Checklist of Information for New Faculty
Expectations of an Effective Teacher
Help Using Campus Telephones
NCCC Orientation (UPDATING)
Qualities to Celebrate in a Teacher
Top 10 Teaching Strategies
Unofficial Guide for New Faculty
Who’s Who at NCCC
Technology Available from the Center
Available Equipment in Center
PC Workstations
Projection/Teacher Station
DVD/VCR Combo
Adobe Photo Deluxe
Adobe Acrobat Professional
Adobe Captivate
Impatica for PowerPoint
Turnitin.com - Call for password
Camtasia Studio 8
A Teaching Studio to simulate your classroom
(try out your teaching ideas using new technology)
Available Equipment to Borrow
PC Laptops
Digital Camera
Cannon Digital Camera
Panasonic Digital Video/Still Camera
Projector
Student Response Systems
Headset w/Microphone
Using Campus Computers--The Center provides access to the computers for those who do not have access at their desks or
just need to work in an environment away from their office. The Center has four computers available for use with the Microsoft
XP or 2007 packages. The computers in the Center are equipped with disk drives to retrieve older files for data transfer. Two of
these computers are connected to scanners for photos, slide reproduction, graphics, and text. The Center has a Teaching Studio
with a video projector for faculty to practice with and preview new presentations.
Borrowing Equipment--The Center provides faculty with equipment loans for course preparation, for those wishing to do
presentations in the classroom or off campus, or work on research projects. Faculty are able to sign out a laptop computer, 2
different styles of digital still cameras, 1 digital video camera,1 portable projector, and student response systems (clickers).
Computer Technologies Available--The Center has a wide array of computer programs available in the Center that individuals
may not have access to in their office or home. Such programs for PC’s include a Windows XP, Windows 2007, Adobe Photo
Deluxe (photo/scan manipulation), Adobe Acrobat Professional (a PDF Manipulation program), Camtasia Studio 8, and
Impatica for PowerPoint (converts PPT files to web format).
Development Opportunities
On Campus Professional Development Opportunities
The center offers a variety of workshops and presentations for professional development and personal growth. As a faculty
member you will receive alerts through campus email regarding upcoming opportunities. Topics vary from semester to
semester.
Click on the link below to explore this semester’s offerings.
Workshops throughout the year
Best Practices in the Classroom
Teaching and Learning Series
Teaching and Learning workshops
Divisional Programming
Off Campus Professional Development Opportunities
The center provides information on upcoming professional development opportunities, these opportunities are listed on the
following pages. Topics vary from semester to semester.
SUNY Professional Development Opportunities -- Call FRCAE for Details
SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD)
Grants and Awards
Dr. Carol Jamieson Award
This award will be presented to a current or past NCCC faculty member who best exemplifies those
traits exhibited by Dr. Jamieson. Other colleagues described Carol as…A veteran academician with
in-depth historical perspective and acute foresight. Faculty from the Humanities Division
complimented Carol’s commitment, availability, loyalty, and advocacy. Peers outside the Division
praised Carol’s breadth of interest in the college-wide issues, her can-do attitude, her ever-present
resilience, and her willingness to serve as a mentor to many. For more information watch your
email, postings, and system messages.
Instructional Resource Development Grants
The IRC and FRCAE annually sponsor instructional grant proposals. Grants must support research and/or
development of instructional resources that impact the NCCC student body in accredited NCCC courses. The money
is used to cover the cost of implementation of an idea or project that is beyond your current, normal job
responsibilities. Generally this project should be completed in the summer. For more information watch your email,
postings, and system messages.
SUNY Tuition Reimbursements
The State University of New York (University) Board of Trustees has established a policy of tuition assistance for eligible
employees of the University, the Community Colleges and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York. This
policy provides reimbursement of tuition and fees charged for eligible courses of instruction taken at SUNY institutions. For
more information visit the web page http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/frcae/grants-and-awards.php#
To Find Out About the Center’s Activities...
Drop by the Center
Check our bulletin board on the way to lunch
Listen to reports from your Professional Development Representative
Contact your division member on the Faculty Resource Center Advisory Board
Check on your Division bulletin board
Read NCCC Today
Watch your email for FRCAE Reminders
Visit our website at Faculty Resource Center or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/frcae/index.php
NCCC Student Life Wellness Center
Providing Health, Wellness & Personal Counseling Services
ALL SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE!
Wellness Center
Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm
Room C-122 • (716) 614-6280 • Fax (716) 614-6817
For Information Online click Wellness Center
Staff
Michael Owsowitz M.A., LMHC x6281 C-122
mowsowitz@niagaracc.suny.edu
Cheri Yager MSN, RN x6276 C-122
yager@niagaracc.suny.edu
Kristy M. Zorda, LMSW x6280 C-122
kzorda@niagaracc.suny.edu
Liz Meacham x6275/6280 C-122
emeacham@niagaracc.suny.edu
Janelle M. Ventura LMSW x6485 C-122
jventura@niagaracc.suny.edu
Shelia Harris x6275/6280 C-122
sharris@niagaracc.suny.edu
Mary Insalaco-Tripiciano RN x4036 C-122
minsalaco-tripiciano@niagaracc.suny.edu
Barbara Centofanti RN x4036 C-122
bcentofanti@niagaracc.suny.edu
General Information
A well-equipped Health Services Center, located in the Wellness Center, is available to provide services for the college
community. Registered nurses are available for emergency treatment of injuries, assessment and care of illness, referrals, and
health/wellness counseling. A supply of "over-the-counter" medications is available in the Center for self use.
Students will be referred to an area hospital, their family
physician or community health and/or social service agency when
necessary and upon request.
All students are required to have accident insurance coverage. If
students are not covered by their own insurance, they must
participate in the plan offered by the College. In addition,
Optional Sickness and Supplemental Medical Insurance is
available to all students. Information can be obtained in the
Wellness Center.
A collection of current literature on health topics and social
concerns is maintained in the Wellness Center. Health related
programs are conducted and wellness clinics are available.
Handicapped Parking
Handicapped parking permits must be obtained through your town. This includes permanent and
temporary permits.
Personal Counseling
Hours of Operation:
Monday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Room C-122 • (716) 614-6280 • Fax (716) 614-6817
For Information Online click Wellness Center
It is normal for many college students to have some personal doubts and to
experience problems or challenges. Licensed Counselors in the Wellness
Center provide confidential short-term personal counseling at no cost to
NCCC Students. Counselors work with students to help them understand and
explore how their feelings and thoughts influence their choices, decisions,
and actions. Our counselors help students to develop more effective coping
and problem solving skills and to help improve overall functioning. Personal
Counseling at NCCC is designed to be short term, however, if more intensive
services are deemed necessary, a referral will be made to appropriate
community agencies.
Guidelines for Identifying & Referring Students in Distress
Emerging SUNY policy mandates that mental health counseling (called here “Personal Counseling”) be carried out only by
licensed professionals, but does not clearly define that role. These guidelines are an attempt to provide some structure for
faculty and staff in dealing with some of the implications of this vague situation.
Responding to Suicide/Assault/Self-Harm
If there is an imminent self-injury or assault threat, if a weapon is shown, or if a student displays erratic, disoriented, or
intoxicated behavior, call Campus Security (6400) immediately! Please do not call 911 or any other off-campus service unless
you cannot reach Security.
Do
→ Take the student out of the classroom/hallway to a more private situation.
→ ASK DIRECTLY IF A STUDENT PLANS TO HARM SELF OR OTHERS. Despite its abruptness, this question will not
cause damage, and may in fact reassure both of you.
→ Take the student seriously and acknowledge that the student’s behavior is a plea for help.
→ Reassure the student that you will help him/her reach a counselor.
→ Accompany the student to Personal Counseling Services (C-122, ext. 6280) or call the counselor to you. On the
weekends or after hours, call or accompany the student to campus Security (G-106, ext. 6400).
Do Not
→ Minimize. Any threats to others or self need to be handled as potentially lethal.
→ Argue with the student.
→ Agree to be bound by confidentiality.
→ Over commit yourself and not be able to deliver what you promised.
→ Allow friends to take care of the student without getting a professional opinion.
Scenarios which meet the criteria for Personal Counseling referral
→ A student reports or displays significant emotional distress (tears, anger, agitation, depression, disorientation, etc.), confides
in and seeks advice from you. (i.e. in an academic advisement session)
→ You observe significant emotional distress and/or behavior change in a student (dramatic change in class attendance or
participation, grooming, weight, alertness, academic performance).
→ A third-party reports a student in distress to you.
→ A student reports a critical incident (rape, child abuse, assault, suicide attempt, declaration of suicidal or aggressive
intention, etc.) involving another student (as victim or perpetrator) to you.
→ A student confides in you that she is pregnant or the victim of domestic violence and directly asks you for referral to an
outside agency.
Deciding whether a situation requires a Personal Counseling Referral
It is appropriate and compassionate for a faculty or staff member to lend a sympathetic ear to a student who trusts him or her
enough to seek advice. Students feeling overwhelmed by a heavy academic workload is an issue that is well within the role of
academic advisement,
The question is “at what point am I slipping into the mental health counseling role”?
→ A key subjective indicator is your own feeling of whether the issue being discussed seems appropriate to your level of
relationship with the student. If you are a student’s advisor or coach and have had numerous close contacts over an extended
period, it may be quite appropriate to confide about relationship or family problems. If you know them through
teaching a class or two, such disclosure may indicate more emotional distress than you are comfortable dealing with.
→ Objective indicators include whether the student is seeking, covertly or overtly, multiple meetings, and whether emotional
concerns become the main topic rather than in your area of expertise. In general, multiple sessions with primarily
emotional themes is considered mental health counseling.
**Whatever your decision process, when you conclude that mental health counseling is
advisable; your first referral should be to the Wellness Center’s Personal Counseling Services.
How to Refer Students for Personal Counseling
Once you’ve decided a student needs Personal Counseling, please refer them directly to the Wellness Center (please do not
refer them to off-campus services). This is important because it provides a collection point for the College to track campus
mental health needs and coordinate our responses.
If a student asks you directly for a referral, please consider
referring them to the Wellness Center to meet with a
Counselor and a possible referral if warranted. If you have
a particular off-campus resource in mind, feel free to share
this information with the Counselor so that they may
consider it in the assessment and appropriate referral if
necessary.
If a student has not sought you out but has been observed
in distress, the situation is more delicate (especially if the
student is causing disruption in class). It is a good idea to
consult with a Personal Counselor (ext. 6280), who can
make an outreach if necessary. It is not a confidentiality
violation for you to discuss a student with a counselor
unless you have explicitly agreed not to do so. In the case
of threat to self or others, needless to say even explicit
agreements are irrelevant.
IMPORTANT!!
Refer the student by directing them or walking them in to Personal Counseling Services C122, ext. 6280, using
your discretion about whether personal accompaniment is needed.
Offer to meet the counselor with the student if you feel this will make the student more comfortable. If the student
is hesitant or confused, it is appropriate to call and ask the counselor to come to you.
Academic Achievement Center
Academic Achievement Center Personnel
Gail Terrana, terrana@niagaracc.suny.edu , Ext. 6453
Cindy Oberjosh, oberjosh@niagaracc.suny.edu , Ext. 6756
Linda Sauerbier, Lsauerbier@niagaracc.suny.edu , Ext. 6724
Center Hours & Location
The Center’s hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 8:30am to
7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday. They are located in E216
Academic Assistance – Open Labs on Campus
Sometimes we all need a little help in getting where we’re going. That’s why NCCC provides an array of academic
services—for free.
If reading college-level texts, studying, note-taking, and test-taking are not your strong points, the Academic
Achievement Center E216 can help.
A-131 - the Academic Advisement Center, provides both advice and direction toward the realization of
your personal goals, enhancing your overall college experience.
Stop by the Math Center C231 for tutoring, resources, and other assistance. You can also do your homework
assignments or meet with your friends to form study groups.
Visit the Tutoring Center E216 to get help with one of your courses—or to become a tutor yourself.
The Writing Center E225 is your one-stop resource for all things written. Whether you need help with a
paper you’re writing or you just want feedback on a cover letter, come to the Writing Center.
Our Science Center – C204 is a walk-in center for questions on your science courses: Biology, Anatomy &
Physiology, Chemistry, etc.
The Accounting Lab -- B-110 is available for students who need extra help with accounting.
The Academic Achievement Center can help!
We offer credit and non-credit courses, on reading, study strategies, and critical thinking
We currently house the Tutoring Center, which recruits and trains student tutors and arranges for free tutoring
for those students requesting it, including ESL students who need help with English
We are a study skills resource for students who need help in note-taking, textbook use, preparing for exams,
memory improvement, test-taking, vocabulary development, and other areas
Courses
AAC 041 & AAC 042: Reading II and Reading III / for students who score below 75 on the ACCUPLACER
Reading Test.
AAC 104 – College Reading: This 3 credit elective is designed for students who score between 75 and 84 on the
COMPASS Reading Test, or for those who elect to take it. It focuses on textbook and critical reading as well as
study techniques.
AAC 108 – College Study Strategies: This 3 credit elective covers techniques for synthesizing course content,
critical thinking, note-taking, preparing for exams, and other study strategies
Visit our webpage at http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/studentlife/academicassistance.php?section=studentlife&subsection=academic-assistance
The Tutoring Center can help!
Are you having difficulty in a particular class or subject? Come to see the helpful people at the Tutoring Center. If you don’t
have time to visit us in person, you can contact the Tutoring Center through our NCCC Homepage at: Academic Achievement
Center or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/hss/tutoring_services.php
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All tutoring is a FREE SERVICE for NCCC students.
Tutoring is available in a wide variety of courses.
Tutoring can be scheduled to fit your busy lifestyle.
Tutor Center can direct you to open labs on campus
How to Apply for a Tutor
Visit the Tutoring Center, located in the Academic Achievement Center, Room E216, and fill out an application
or apply online at our college website:
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/studentlife/request_tutor.php
If we have a tutor for your course who is available when you are, you will be contacted by the Tutoring
Office or the Tutor. Placement time varies depending on tutor availability.
Answers to common questions asked can also be found at Tutoring Center link or Academic Achievement Center
or http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/hss/tutoring_services.php
If you would like to be a tutor, and are an excellent student, please see Gail Terrana in E216
How to Become a Tutor
If you are doing well in school and are willing to help others
with particular courses, you may want to become a tutor.
Besides earning $7.75 per hour, tutoring can help you gain
knowledge in your field, increase your self-esteem, and make
an impression on your resume.
Tutors are required to have a minimum of 24 credit hours
accumulated, a grade point average of at least 3.0, at least a
"B" in the course you want to tutor or recommendation from
an instructor. Many tutors are Dean's List students and/or
members of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.
Visit the Tutor Center in E-216 or contact Gail Terrana at
(716) 614-6724 terrana@niagaracc.suny.edu to become a
tutor. The coordinator will examine your transcripts, hours of
availability, and our need in your subject area to determine if
the tutoring office could use your services.
You can also complete our online form by going to the link
“How to Become a Tutor at:
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/hss/tutoring_services.php
The Writing Center
About the Writing Center
The Writing Center is located on the second floor of the Humanities
and Social Sciences Building, Room E225, Ext. 6726.
Open Monday and Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
and Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.
NCCC link--Writing Center or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/studentlife/writingcenter.php
Do Your Students Need Help Writing A Paper?
Our staff is friendly, supportive, and knowledgeable. We have
writing mentors, who also serve as adjunct faculty members of the
English Department, as well as a number of peer tutors, who have
been trained by the Writing Center coordinator to respond to your
work in useful ways.
For questions or concerns contact Writing Center Coordinator, Dr.
Denise David at Ext. 6713 or at her office, E254, or by email
david@niagaracc.suny.edu
The Writing Center’s Philosophy
Mentors and tutors serve as an audience for your writing, providing feedback on places in your writing where the meaning may
be unclear, confusing, or ineffective. We will help you by asking questions that clarify information or pointing out sections in
your piece where the information may be inadequate or unconvincing. If you have problems such as sentence level errors, a
lack of logical connections between sentences, usage errors, or documentation problems, we will provide a more directive
stance, providing correct information, and directing you to other sources for information from handbooks or other reference
materials.
The Writing Center Can Help!
The Writing Center is a free, drop-in center available to any NCCC student, faculty, or staff member who is currently engaged
in some writing task.
It is not necessary, however, for a writer to come with a prepared draft. Writers may stop in at any stage in their writing process,
ranging from trying to understand an assignment to overcoming writers' block, to organizing a paper, to editing a final draft.
The Writing Center welcomes writers of all abilities. Writers may be working on any writing task including: a writing
assignment for any course; a letter of application; developing a resume; writing a short story or poem; writing a letter to the
editor or a letter of complaint. Our mentors and student tutors will not do the work for you, but they will provide helpful
response to your work.
Our well qualified mentors and tutors can help you with any writing assignment. No appointment is needed, just drop in and
bring the assignment or draft with you. We have computers for word processing and internet access as well as a comfortable
setting in which to work. There are ample reference materials, including style sheets for various documentation formats such as
MLA and APA, ASA, and CMS. You need to have a current NCCC ID card to use the Writing Center.
Resources for Faculty
The Writing Center was created as part of a Writing Across the Curriculum Project at Niagara County Community College to
support faculty as well as students. We are a campus that takes the improvement of student writing seriously. Our faculty use
writing as a way to engage students in active interaction with the content of our courses. Additionally, we ask students to write
within our disciplines using the appropriate rhetorical models within various discourse communities.
The following tips may be useful to faculty in several ways. You will find tips for developing writing assignments for your
classes; you will find a referral form that you may wish to have students bring with them when they come to the Writing
Center; you will find the requirements needed for students you may wish to recommend as student tutors in the Writing Center.
Resources for Students
We have twenty-two computers available for word processing and Internet access. We have reference books with information
on the correct format for MLA, APA, ASA, and Chicago Style documentation. We have dictionaries, thesauri, books on
standard English usage, as well as reference books explaining the writing demands of various genre.
“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure”
~Samuel Johnson
FACULTY GUIDES
Tips for Framing Writing Assignments
As you are developing writing assignments for students this semester, you might find the following guidelines useful.
Provide a written version of the assignment.
Students perform better on written assignments if they can refer back to the assignment when they are working on it.
If the assignment is an essay question, use specific language to indicate the task required:
 Summarize
 Compare
 Contrast
 Explain
 Discuss
 Analyze
When asking for a paper, you might find the following helpful:
Convey expectations without being too elaborate. (Extremely lengthy instructions can be confusing.)
Indicate range of acceptable length for the paper.
Indicate genre (Exemplars are very useful to students.)
A general guideline of format requirements is useful to students. (You may find that very clear instructions will save
you time later when you are correcting papers.)
Indicate documentation style. If not indicated, students are usually advised to use MLA.
Faculty Writing Center Referral Form
If you are requesting that a student attend the Writing Center, and you would like some information concerning the conference
with the student in the Writing Center, Please feel free to give
the student a copy of the referral form Faculty Referral Form
(PDF, WORD) to bring with them. The form will be completed
by the Writing Center staff and returned to you by the student.
More Information
Come to our web page for more in depth information at
Writing Center or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/studentlife/writingcenter.php
Becoming A Tutor
If you are a strong writer, have completed ENG 101 with a “B+”
or better, and communicate well with others, you may make a
good Writing Center Tutor. Tutors are required to have a
minimum of 24 credit hours accumulated, and overall grade
point average of at least 3.0.
Call or make an appointment with Denise David, Writing Center Coordinator, Ext. 6713, for an interview.
The Math Center
The Math Center is staffed by part -time math instructors and student
tutors. Service is on a walk-in basis and the services are free of charge to
NCCC students.
The Math Center provides the following services:
Tutoring
Assistance with math assignments
Instructional videos
Instructional computer software
Math reference books and worksheets
Many students find that the Math Center is a comfortable place to come
to do assignments or to meet with other students and form study groups.
Visit our webpage at the link Math Center or
http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/studentlife/mathcente r.php?section=st
udent-life&subsection=academic-assistance
Location: Room C-231
Phone: (716) 614-6872
Fall/Spring Hours (subject to change):
Hours
Monday
9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Summer Hours (subject to change):
Daytime Hours
Evening Hours
Monday
10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Closed
Tuesday
10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Closed
Wednesday
10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Closed
Thursday
10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Closed
Friday
Closed
Closed
The Science Center
Location: Room C204
Coordinator: Sue Brade, Ext. 6413
Phone: (716) 614-6413
The Science Center was opened September 2012 and is located in Room
C204. It is staffed by part time science instructors and student tutors. Service
is on a walk-in basis and the services are free of charge to NCCC students.
The Science Center will hold specific times for Biology, Chemistry and
Physics tutoring.
The Science Center provides the following services:
Tutoring
Assistance with Science assignments
Instructional dvd’s
Instructional computer software
Science reference books and worksheets
Students should use the Center to do assignments or to meet with
other students and form study groups.
Day and Time
Tutor(s)
Specialty
8am – 10:30am
Peter Bloomingdale
A and P I and II
General Biology
Human Biology
10:30am – 12 noon
George Eisenhardt
College Chemistry I and II
Physics
12noon-4pm
Adam Gillespie
Monday
A and P I and II
Tuesday
8am- 12 noon
Emily Truesdell
Human Biology
General Chemistry
12noon-4pm
Adam Gillespie
A and P I and II
8am – 10:30am
Peter Bloomingdale
A and P I and II
General Biology
Human Biology
10:30-12noon
George Eisenhardt
Chemistry
Physics
12noon-4pm
Adam Gillespie
A and P I and II
5 pm -9pm
John Strong
Chemistry
Wednesday
Thursday
9am-5pm
John Strong
Chemistry
10am-12noon
George Eisenhardt
Chemistry
Physics
12noon-4pm
Friday
Adam Gillespie
8am – 10:30am
Peter Bloomingdale
A and P I and II
General Biology
Human Biology
10:30am-2pm
George Eisenhardt
Chemistry
Physics
A and P I and II