Whether it’s career coaching, counseling or academic support, many offices on campus have remained a mainstay for students with helping them maximize their college experience. 

When needed, students have the option of setting up appointments with their advisor, success coach, a counselor or career coach. Walk-in appointments are not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions and students must make appointments in advance by attending virtual meetings.

An important resource students can refer to is the Counseling Center located in 204 Strebel Student Center. This is where students can meet with a licensed counselor to get extra help when needed.

“Typically counseling sessions occur weekly and are often adjusted to biweekly sessions or longer as things improve the lives of students,” Counselor Thomas Lane said. “We have streamlined our intake process and moved forms online to help make the initial steps more accessible and easier to complete.” 

Not only will walk-in appointments be prohibited this semester, the Counseling Center will not host a graduate-level intern to help serve students because of the ongoing coronavirus spread.

“We are in the process of hiring a part-time counselor to help us keep wait times down and keep appointments regular,” Lane said. “We are excited to add a new member to our team.” 

When students need counseling services, they should call (315) 792-3094 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. After hours, students should call Campus Safety and ask to speak to the counselor-on-call. 

Students who need services related to meeting their individual goals and expectations are directed to Student Success located in 117 Hubbard Hall. 

Associate Enrollment Management Vice-President Karen Ferrer-Muniz said big changes were made with Student Success and Financial Services in order to limit the amount of students coming to the office. 

“Student Success and Financial Services is assisting all students virtually by phone or Google Hangout meetings by students making an appointment online,” Ferrer-Muniz said. “Students can use Navigate or our website to schedule an appointment with their success coach or financial aid counselor.” 

Navigate is a free app that can be downloaded on any mobile device in order for students to schedule appointments and have their schedule on hand when needed. 

Since it is still early in the semester, success coaches are holding academic coaching meetings, which include help with time management, organization, study and note taking skills and test taking strategies. Even though walk-in appointments are not allowed, students can stop in the office for some specific things. 

“If there is a student emergency, then we will see students in our office using COVID-19 guidelines such as wearing a mask and social distancing,” Ferrer-Muniz said. “Student payments can also be done in person as well. Financial aid counselors are assisting students with all financial aid questions and are getting ready to assist students with completing their FAFSA for next year.” 

COVID-19 restrictions also apply to career services if students needed assistance with job and internship searching or career guidance. 

The transition from in-person meetings to online events and meetings has been successful with students, said Halina Lotyczewski, executive director of the Center for Career and Professional Development. One feature that is new to the office is Handshake. 

“Handshake is an online website that all UC students have access to in order to find jobs and internships, see all the events Career Services offers and make appointments with their career coach,” Lotyczewski said. “All appointments and programs are happening online in order to keep everybody safe from COVID-19.” 

Throughout this semester, the Center for Career and Professional Development will host virtual career chats in order to help students with career development and job searching. These events can be found by going to Handshake for more details. 

“With our Job and Internship Fair we usually host in the spring, we will have to see how things go with COVID before deciding if we want to have the event in person or online,” Lotyczewski said.