Daemen College : Academics & Research : College Catalog : Undergraduate : Student Life & Student Services

Student Life / Student Services

Housing and Residence Life

Housing on campus is provided in three distinct housing environments. Campus Village, a complex of seven two-story apartment-style buildings, provides housing for upper division status students. Each apartment houses four students and consists of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a full kitchen. Laundry facilities are available on each floor.  Canavan Hall is a five-story suite-style residence hall for first-year students. Two bedrooms share a bathroom; lounges and laundry facilities are on each floor. When housing need exceeds on-campus capacity, students are housed in overflow housing until space becomes available on campus. Daemen College collaborates with Collegiate Village, an independently operated housing complex, which houses upper division students and serves as overflow housing.  Housing is apartment-style and includes laundry facilities within each apartment.  Transportation is provided between Collegiate Village and Daemen's campus. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on weekdays in the Wick Student Center; brunch and dinner are served on Saturdays and Sundays. A trained Residence Life staff member is available to assist students with their social, academic, and personal needs, in the belief that a student’s place of residence is an integral part of the total educational experience. Resident students work with staff to plan and conduct programs and activities designed to enhance cooperation and develop a sense of community in the residence halls. Adequate parking is available for resident students who need to park their automobiles on campus. All vehicles must be registered with the College; parking permits (no fee) are required. Residence halls are open only while classes are in session. If housing is needed during breaks and holidays, students must contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life in writing, one week prior to a hall closing, to be permitted extended residency. Students are not permitted to reside on campus between summer and regular academic year sessions.

Daemen College Housing Residency Requirement

All full-time freshmen entering Daemen College whose permanent residency is beyond a 30-mile radius of Daemen College are expected to reside on campus for four consecutive semesters or junior status, whichever comes first. Exceptions include married students living with spouse, single parents, and students residing with relatives (i.e., aunts, uncles, and grandparents). Documentation will be needed in order to be exempt under any of these circumstances. Students who are requesting to be exempt must submit their request in writing as soon as possible. All written requests should be sent to the Office of Housing and Residence Life, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226. Resident students are required to maintain a full course load, defined as 12 credits per semester, to remain eligible for on-campus housing.

Commuter Life

Over half of the student body commutes to campus. During the day and after classes, many commuters study in the Research & Information Center (RIC) or socialize in the Wick Student Center. Commuter students are encouraged to become involved in student organizations and to participate in student activities. Information about campus life and student events is provided through the Daemen website and regular Daemen College email communications. Commuter students may bring a bag lunch or purchase a la carte meals at the Cyber Cafe. More substantial, all-you-can-eat meals may be purchased in the dining hall for cash or with “Daemen Bucks.” Private lockers for commuter students are available. Parking permits are required; preferred parking is offered to carpooling students.

Wick Student Center

Full service meals are served in the main dining hall, and an a la carte selection is open to all in the Cyber Cafe. The recreation room and Cyber Cafe are popular spots for socializing and relaxing during the day or evening. The recreation room has pool tables, ping pong, and foosball. The Cyber Cafe has a large screen TV, DJ booth, and a dance floor. The Wick Center also houses a multi-purpose social room, an information desk, several lounges and meeting rooms, the Student Association office, and several administrative staff offices. Alumni Lounge has a Steinway grand piano that is available for casual student use. A Baldwin concert grand piano is maintained in the Social Room and is available for use by special arrangement with the Student Activities Office.

Student Activities

Student activities provide for the development of the whole person outside the classroom. The Student Activities Director helps students form recognized organizations and plan events. All students in good academic standing are encouraged to join in extracurricular activities including the Student Association, fraternities, sororities, honors organizations, special interest groups, academic clubs, campus publications, and intramural athletics offerings. With appropriate approvals and a College-approved driver, college vans are available for student organizations to use for area off-campus events. The vans are booked through the Switchboard Operator, whose office is located in the Wick Center. The Student Activities Director also works with the Conference Director to schedule and coordinate special events.

Student Association

All students are members of the Student Association. The controlling body, or Senate, is composed of an executive board of officers and class representatives who are elected each year. A Programming Board works with the Student Activities Director and others in planning several annual special events. Students also serve on many institutional committees, including various Trustee Committees, the Educational Policy Committee, and the Student Life Committee.

Publications

Students interested in writing, photography, and graphic design produce various campus publications. Among these are Insight, the college online newspaper; Summit, the graduation yearbook; and The Loom, the literary magazine.

Athletics and Intramurals

The College has varsity intercollegiate teams for men and women in basketball, cross country, soccer, and track and field. In addition, golf is available for men and volleyball for women. The Wildcats compete in the American Mid-East Conference and are affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Athletic scholarship money is available to qualified student-athletes. A variety of intramural sports are also available. Well-equipped weight and exercise rooms and saunas add to the variety of fitness and health activities available. Other activities can include cheerleading, one-day tournaments, and other special events.

Area Social Activities and Recreation

Social gatherings and events, plays, movies, concerts, lectures, recitals, and art exhibits are scheduled on campus throughout the year. Eleven colleges and universities in the area provide constant opportunities for social and cultural enrichment. The Buffalo area is well known for its architectural and historical heritage; its cultural vitality in the form of art galleries, history and science museums, a zoo and a botanical garden, theaters, clubs, music groups, and a wonderful philharmonic orchestra; and its professional football, hockey, and baseball teams. Scores of good restaurants cater to down-home American, ethnic, gourmet, health food, and nouvelle cuisine (as well as fast-food) tastes in dining. There are theme parks at Darien Lake and Niagara Falls. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario beaches provide swimming and boating. Cross-country ski and hiking trails are everywhere in suburban Buffalo, and downhill ski slopes are an hour’s drive away. The Genesee River Gorge, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier woods and waterways offer nearby outdoor recreation all year. The Artpark, Chautauqua, and Niagara-on-the-Lake festivals and special events enrich Western New York’s cultural and intellectual life. The city’s metropolitan area bus system serves the campus, and the Buffalo subway runs from downtown to a point on Main Street a mile away from Daemen.

Academic Advisement

All students are assigned advisors, full time faculty in the department of each student’s declared major, who are available during registration periods and throughout the academic year to assist students interested in majors within specific academic divisions. Students who have not yet declared a major are advised by professional staff advisors. The Executive Director of Academic Support Services, academic advisors, and faculty advisors are available to help students make appropriate decisions related to scheduling, course sequencing, degree requirements, changing majors, and other college regulations.

The Executive Director of Academic Support Services works closely with students and offers guidance on academic, personal, and social matters. The Executive Director monitors students’ academic progress, assists them with their adjustment to the College, maintains close contact with the faculty, and provides special counseling to students on academic probation.

Bookstore

The Daemen College Bookstore (Follett #134), located on the ground floor of Duns Scotus Hall, carries all required and optional text-books (new and used), as well as study and exam guides. Many textbooks are available for rent as well as purchase (please see store for details). The Bookstore also carries school supplies, trade books, greeting cards, art supplies, Daemen College clothing and gifts. Research and supplementary texts can be special ordered. Change and stamps are available at the checkout. The bookstore accepts cash, personal check with proper ID, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. We also make arrangements with the office of Student Accounts to set up “book credit” accounts for students who wish to use their financial aid for the purchase of textbooks and supplies. Visit the bookstore on the Internet at “www.daemen.bkstr.com” or from the Daemen home page under “Student Services.” Computer software may be purchased at educational prices through the Software Shop on the bookstore website. The bookstore buys used textbooks year round. Bookstore hours during the fall and spring semesters are:

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30pm.

Saturday As needed

Additional hours are scheduled at the beginning of each term. (Hours are subject to change.)

Career Services

The Career Services commitment to you begins your first day on campus and lasts throughout your lifetime. We provide a multitude of free services and support to prepare and empower you to achieve your career goals.

All students are encouraged to complete the ICAP (Individual Career Action Plan).  This is a year by year guide offered through Career Services to explore, experience, prepare and achieve your career aspirations.You may also work with Career Services to develop your personal profile. A personal profile is a tool to help you identify the ‘fit’ between who you are as a person, your academic studies and your career aspirations

Our staff is dedicated to your success and provides tools and advice that include assessments, internship, job and graduate search strategies, resume writing, practice interviews, and networking. Join us for events throughout the year including the etiquette luncheon, panel discussions and guest speakers from the business, government, not for profit community and the Alumni Career Partners.

Information can be found on the department website:  www.daemen.edu/career

Class of 2010 Employment Statistics

TOTAL NUMBER OF GRADUATES 308

TOTAL RESPONSES (38%) 116

Employed (84%) 97

Further Education (47%) 55

Note:  Numbers include graduates who are employed and furthering their education.

Career Field Experience

The Career Field Experience program provides students with the opportunity to gain professionally-related experience in their area of career interest. Students may earn 1- 12 hours of academic credit for internships during their college career. Employers include business, industry, government, health-related facilities, educational institutions, and cultural organizations found locally as well as nationwide. Opportunities with the Washington Internship Institute (www.wiidc.org) are also available year-round via the College’s partnership in Washington. Successful completion of CFE 97, Career Prep Seminar is required before the Career Field Experience will be approved. The college fee for CFE 97 is $50. More information can be found at www.daemen.edu/career.

Classroom Technology Services

The Classroom Technology Services Department provides the College community with classroom technology support and instructional equipment such as computers and video projectors, document cameras, digital video cameras, sound reinforcement and many other types of digital and analog equipment. Students and organizations may request the use of equipment through email at: cts@daemen.edu or by phone: 839-8240. Student identification cards are also made in the Classroom Technology Services department.

Computing Services

Computing is an integral part of a Daemen education. All faculty and students have email accounts, space to post web pages, protected network storage and high-speed network access available from their offices and residence hall rooms. Many courses mix web resources, on-line discussion groups and other electronic resources with traditional lectures and in-class discussions for a rich and varied learning environment.

While there is no requirement for students to buy computing equipment, over 90% of our students have their own computers, and most students have laptops. Those who choose to use equipment in one of the public computing labs have access to a wide variety of resources available free of charge. Located in the Research and Information Commons and the Business and Commerce building, these labs contain Dell computers configured with high-speed Internet access and productivity software. Software is updated regularly, and hardware is replaced every three years. During the fall and spring semesters, these labs are open 96 hours each week. Additional computer equipment is available in departmental labs in animation, graphic design, natural sciences, mathematics and psychology for students taking classes in those disciplines.

Academic Computing Services provides support for instructional, research and communication needs of the college community. An Ethernet network provides 100 or 1000-megabit service directly to all offices, classrooms, labs, and residence halls to give students, faculty and staff access to local network services such as file servers, the web and email. External access to the Internet is provided via a 400MB link. Students living on-campus can access this high-speed network free of charge. Faculty and students living off-campus can access our network resources remotely.

Academic Computing Services supports a standard suite of software for email, web browsing, word processing, web development, virus protection and other standard needs. Daemen College has entered into licensing agreements with Adobe, Microsoft, SPSS, Symantec and others to provide our students, faculty, and staff with access to the most widely used productivity software. Faculty may use dedicated computer classrooms for hands-on computer instruction, or use cart-based wireless laptops to turn any conventional classroom into a computer lab. Projection equipment also facilitates computer aided instruction and demonstrations. In addition, faculty may make computer resources available outside of the classroom on the web via Blackboard, a course management program.

The Research and Information Commons offers on-line bibliographic searching. College administrative functions are computerized and integrated by means of a Datatel student information system.

Counseling Services

The College provides counseling and mental health services. Up to fifteen sessions are offered to each student per academic year at no cost to the student, regardless of private insurance coverage. Professional counselors retained by the College are available for regularly scheduled hours on campus to assist with personal, emotional, and social concerns. Crisis situations will be referred to a professional clinician, a community service agency, or an area hospital.

From time to time, Counseling Services will offer workshops designed to meet current needs of students.

Health and Insurance Services

Upon acceptance to the College, a new student is required to have had a physical examination conducted within the past year. In accordance with New York State law, all students born on or after January 1, 1957, are required to prove immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. These students must provide adequate evidence of immunity in order to ensure their class registration. Other vaccinations are recommended, as detailed on the Student Health Form sent to students upon their acceptance to the College.

In addition, NYS legislation requires all students, regardless of age, to make an informed decision about whether to receive the meningitis vaccine. Information about the disease and vaccine is on the Student Health Form. College students, particularly freshmen living on campus, are urged to consider vaccination. Further information about the risks of contracting meningitis is available on the following websites: www.health.state.ny.us, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo, http://www.nmaus.org.

The Health and Insurance Services Office offers confidential assistance in referring students to area health care providers in the event of illness or accident, procuring necessary health evaluations prior to clinical clerkships/internships, and obtaining required immunizations. The staff also provides assistance to students with health insurance claims and questions.

Insurance

All resident students, all international students, and all intercollegiate and club sport athletes, as well as any student in a health-related field of study who is participating in a clinical clerkship/internship must be covered by health insurance. The College offers a plan that insures for losses resulting from accident or illness, to the extent stated in the brochure, under the provisions of the policy. This coverage is fully explained in the brochure available in the Health and Insurance Services office. The brochure can also be viewed on the Gallagher Koster Insurance Agency, Inc. web page at www.gallagherkoster.com/daemen.

As a resident student, international student, student athlete, or student participating in a clinical clerkship/internship, you must either purchase the College plan or provide the College with a photocopy of your current insurance ID card, proving you have health insurance coverage that can be used in the United States. If the photocopy of your insurance ID card is not submitted by the published deadline, you will be enrolled in the Daemen College Student Insurance Plan and the premium will be added to your student account. The fee is non-refundable.

Any student who is not covered by an insurance plan may purchase the Daemen College Student Health Insurance Plan. Coverage for spouses and dependent children is also available. Enrollment in the plan entitles the student to the comprehensive health services available at Family Care Medical Center. The center is located at 61 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 565-1234, a short distance from the College. Free round-trip transportation can be provided from campus.

Personal property and liability insurance, while recommended, is the responsibility of each individual student and is not provided by the College.

Learning Center and Academic Coaching Services

The College offers academic developmental services in a variety of forms. Enrichment courses and/or academic coaching in reading, writing and mathematics are offered so that students can develop the literacy and numeracy skills required by the academic community.

The Learning Center, located in the Research and Information Commons, has a variety of materials available for students to practice specific reading and writing skills. Academic counseling and workshops in study skills, note taking, and test taking are available. The College offers a variety of academic coaching (tutoring) services including individual coaching and group review sessions such as Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL). Academic coaching is available to all Daemen College students. Coaches are experienced students who have been recommended by instructors and who complete a training program. Some professional writing coaches and coaches for students for whom English is a second language are available. At the Learning Center, located in the Research and Information Commons, coaches are available by appointment for most courses and for assistance in writing, research papers, study techniques, learning styles, and learning strategies. Workshops on study skills, note taking, and test taking are presented during the semester. Information can be found at http://www.daemen.edu/offices/learningcenter/.

Library

The mission of the Daemen College Library is to support classroom instruction, provide information for independent research relating to the College curriculum, and to provide recreational reading for the College community. Located in the Research and Information Commons (RIC), the library provides access to information in print, media, and digital formats, and well-trained and knowledgeable staff to meet the information needs of the College community.  The library serves as a gateway to information resources found in Western New York and around the world.  

Collection

The library has a print collection of over 161,000 volumes and 580 print serial subscriptions.  The library also has access to over 37,000 electronic books and over 24,000 electronic full-text journal titles. Faculty, librarians, and students recommend new materials for purchase.

Services

Reference Librarians are employed to help students, faculty, and staff find the information they need. The Reference Librarians provide:

• Course-Specific Library Instruction so that classes may become aware of the resources necessary to complete course assignments.
• Instruction on locating and analyzing resources so that students may independently locate and analyze need-specific resources.
• In-Text Citations and Reference Page proofing so that students may correctly credit sources within their assignments.

The library staff collectively possess the specialized skills necessary for the library to function in a diverse, global, and increasingly complex information environment. Please seek their assistance.

All Library study spaces within the Research & Information Commons have wireless connectivity and task lighting.  Spaces include: quiet study space, talking permitted study space, group study rooms, media viewing rooms, a “pillows and pads” area, a seminar room, a café, and three classroom/learning areas of varying size and technological sophistication. There is a variety of furnishings including individual study carrels, tables and chairs – both fixed and on wheels, booths for groups, and a variety of lounge chairs.  

The library utilizes the latest information technology including a large video wall in the central atrium.  The library homepage at www.daemen.edu/libraryhas links to help students perform high quality library research.  The catalog of library holdings is computerized.  Users may also search specialized databases for full-text scholarly articles and other full-text information located around the world.  Most course reserve readings are available full-text on the library web site. Information sufficient for the vast majority of classroom assignments is available from the library.   However, if users need specialized information located elsewhere, interlibrary loan is available.  InfoPass cards are also available at the Circulation Desk.  They allow students to borrow books from other academic libraries in Western New York. 

Loan privileges are granted to students, faculty, and staff of the College.  A current Daemen ID card serves as a library card.  The loan period for books is four weeks, with one renewal permitted. 

The library circulates laptop computers to students from the Circulation Desk for use within the RIC.  A student must present a valid Daemen College ID card, have no outstanding library fines, and sign a “Laptop Loan Agreement Form.” 

There is a drop box located outside of the main entrance of the RIC for return of materials outside of library hours.

Library services within the Research & Information Commons are available for 96 hours per week during the academic semester on the following schedule: 

Hours

Sunday	1 PM - midnight
Monday - Thursday	8 AM - midnight
Friday	8 AM - 9 PM
Saturday	10 AM - 6 PM

Special schedules for summer session, holiday periods, semester breaks, and final exam periods are posted in advance on the library homepage and at the entrance to the RIC.

Ministry on Campus

Campus Ministry seeks to serve the spiritual needs of the entire College community: students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni of any faith, of any denomination (or of none at all). Acknowledging that various religious beliefs are present on campus, this ministry has distinctly ecumenical and interfaith dimensions. Since Campus Ministry takes place in an academic context, it aspires to help members of the College community grow in their own faiths. Campus Ministry offers spiritual guidance, counseling, Bible Studies, retreats, and social action projects.  The Campus Minister also offers pre-marital counseling; couples who request the services of the Campus Minister are required to participate in the Prepare/Enrich Program, a four or eight week pre-marital program that identifies a couple’s strength and growth areas.  The initial work will be done online with feedback sessions by the Campus Minister.  The office also lists churches, synagogues, and other religious facilities in the Buffalo area. Those desiring to worship or seek spiritual guidance in any specific denomination may contact Campus Ministry for referral.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities meet with the Assistant Coordinator of the Learning Center to discuss learning strategies and to arrange services. Requests for accommodations are to be submitted to, and are authorized by, the Associate Vice President  for Academic Affairs, who is the College's 504/ADA Officer. See the College’s policy on the accommodation of students with disabilities in the “Accreditation and Institutional Policies” section of this Catalog.

Registrar

The Registrar’s Office provides the following services for students:

• preparation of course offerings for each term which are accessible (on the Search for Sections option on WebAdvisor) on the Daemen website;
• processing registrations for courses which require a permit to register;
• after the last day for drop/add, processing withdrawals from courses for students who submit a withdrawal form;
• processing mid-term and final grades, as well as Incomplete and other grade changes, for publication on WebAdvisor;
• designs/revises/customizes evaluations for all degree, certificate programs, and minors (and approved curricular substitutions), thereby enabling students and advisors to monitor progress towards program completion and explore status on other programs;
• evaluates transfer studies for incoming transfer students, and returning students who complete transfer studies with departmental approval;
• verifying candidates for graduation/degree conferral/Commencement honors;
• processing and verifying changes in student status and general student directory information;
• nominating students for the National Dean’s List;
• certifying veterans’ enrollment;
• certifying Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) recipients;
• certifying athletes for participation in varsity sports teams;
• processing transcript requests and providing transcripts;
• processing professional licensure applications as appropriate.