Students Start Fall Classes Aug. 31

08/25/2015 

Students begin returning to SUNY Cortland on Friday, Aug. 28. In all, approximately 6,900 students will be enrolled for the fall semester. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 31.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the campus will open its 16 residence halls, the West Campus Apartments and Leadership House to approximately 120 new students who did not attend the summer orientation program.

The majority of new residential students will move in the following day. Most returning on-campus students will occupy their rooms Saturday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 30.

Between Friday and Sunday, access will be limited on Prospect Terrace from Graham Avenue to Neubig Road, which winds past the SUNY Cortland residence halls to the Broadway intersection. Traffic will proceed one-way, in a westerly, downhill direction from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this time. On Friday, University Police will limit traffic solely to first-year or transfer students moving into the residences. Neubig Road and Prospect Terrace to the corner with Graham Avenue will be closed to traffic from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. during all three move-in days.

Parents or guardians who are helping their new or returning student move into a residence hall should approach from Graham Avenue, quickly unload their vehicle, and proceed immediately to the Park Center and Professional Studies Building parking lots. Bus service will be available between the parking lots, Corey Union and the residence halls. Faculty, staff and others with business on the campus are encouraged to park at Park Center and the Professional Studies Building and use the bus service.

Faculty, staff and students have signed up for Blaze’s Opening Crew to help students move into the residence halls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29. The crew will include many early-returning fall varsity athletes and upper-class students who were encouraged to move back to campus early in exchange for working a five-hour shift.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, all faculty, professional and classified staff members are invited to attend SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum’s annual opening address and faculty meetings at 8 a.m. in the Corey Union Function Room. The president will speak and senior administrators will introduce new faculty and staff members. An academic and administrative panel will report on the topic of enrollment and persistence.

Marking the start of another academic year, the Fall 2015 Academic Convocation begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, in the Park Center Alumni Arena. The hour-long ceremony is designed for all first-year and new transfer students. All SUNY Cortland faculty and professional staff are encouraged to attend.

Starting on Friday, Aug. 28, Welcome Week will offer a number of events geared to help new students connect with the campus community and assist them in their transition and adjustment to college life. Welcome Week events are listed in the College’s calendar. For more information, visit the website cortland.edu/welcome-week or contact Campus Activities and Corey Union at 607-753-5574.