Instructional Support

Center for Student Success (CSS)

Through the Center for Student Success (CSS), the College facilitates a positive transition to College and ongoing academic advisement and support for all undergraduate students. Advisors are assigned to students upon enrollment, and work with them in the first and second year. CSS facilitates registration onboarding for all incoming freshmen and transfer students, oversees academic planning and course registration for continuing students each term, assists with orientation, as well as works hand in hand with academic support and success programs in other areas of the College to connect students to needed resources. Students are then connected to faculty advisors for mentorship in their third year and beyond.

More information on CSS here: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/center-for-student-success.

Academic Recovery and Wellness Program is an academic support program aimed to help students recover their academic standing after being placed on academic probation. Through academic planning, tutoring, monthly check-ins, and one-on-one academic success coaching, students develop the necessary skills to elevate their GPA and implement habits for academic success.

Advisement

Advisement is an important aspect of each student’s academic career. Advisement is an opportunity for students to discuss academic goals, understand degree requirements, and connect to campus resources. It is the responsibility of each student to know and meet graduation and other school requirements and to meet with an academic advisor in the Center for Student Success during the advisement period, as needed.

During advisement meetings, advisors assist students with clarification of their educational and career goals, review their academic progress, and assist with selection of an appropriate coursework. Furthermore, each student will have an academic plan built out in Self-Service by their advisor to help create transparency in the academic planning process and guide the student towards their needed coursework – students can view their academic plans 24/7 in Self-Service.

Click here to make an appointment through SFC navigate or for additional information.

The Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL)

At the Center for Learning and Leadership, students receive academic support, content & writing tutoring, life coaching, skill development and financial literacy coaching. These essential services will help ensure academic success and independence throughout your college experience. The Center provides wrap around support with a team of professional and peer tutors as well as academic and financial literacy support coaches excited to support you in your development. Services include but are not limited to:

Skills Assessment in Writing and Mathematics: for incoming students. Transfer students who have received transfer credit for writing and/or mathematics may be exempt from taking one or both parts of the assessment. Results are used to place students in Composition and Math courses based on their demonstrated proficiency and degree needs.
Tutoring and Academic Support Coaching: tutoring in content area courses, writing skill support, study strategy, financial literacy, and life coaching.
Workshops and Events: on a variety of skill development topics including how to take good notes, how to be present in class, what it takes to achieve academic excellence, time management, learning strategies everyone should know and the following writing topics including: starting the essay; thesis development, identifying and gathering pertinent research; and revising strategies are offered each semester.
Project Access: is an academic support program for incoming first-year students who demonstrate a need to develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while transitioning to College. The program begins with a Summer Bridge program which serves as a primer for becoming a College student by presenting intensive lessons in reading and writing. Project Access students are enrolled in the SFC 0040 course, which focuses on helping students develop strong writing and study strategies for academic success that will be applicable across their College experience. Other components of the program include tutoring, peer-led interactions, community building events and programing focused on personal and professional skill development. Click here to make an appointment for the above services.

More information on the CLL here: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/cll.

Accessibility and Accommodations

SFC is dedicated to ensuring accommodations and auxiliary aids to all students with documented disabilities. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all applicable federal, state and city disability laws, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students who have a qualifying disability in order to ensure they have equal access to the College’s courses, programs, activities, and facilities.

Details on OAA services and how to access them can be found on the College website: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/accessibility-and-accommodations.

Office of Opportunity Programs

The Office of Opportunity Programs advocates and provides students with meaningful academic opportunities. Students in our signature programs are often awarded scholarships, receive targeted academic support, gain guidance on applying to internships or research experiences, have access to exclusive opportunities, and so much more. Programs and services include but are not limited to:

McGuire Scholars Program. The Robert J. McGuire Scholarship was established in 2015 in support of the College’s mission to make possible the gift of education and opportunity for our future leaders. Once accepted into the program, McGuire Scholars are introduced to their support system at both the student and staff level to ensure early on support and sense of belonging. Each McGuire Scholar will have a dedicated success coach to support their academic, career, and community goals all the way to graduation. Building community is a point of emphasis in the McGuire Scholars Program, and beyond the College community as each scholar has a beneficial impact within their own communities.
Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) supports minority and disadvantaged students in academic programs that prepare them for licensed professions or for employment in scientific and technical fields by ensuring that students have the support services, summer programming, financial assistance, and career and research opportunities they need to succeed. More information on CSTEP here: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/opportunity-programs/collegiate-science-technology-entry-program.
STEM Resource Center. The STEM Resource Center (SRC) provides focused support to undergraduate students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx or students from low-income households. SFC was awarded a USDOE HSI STEM Success & Articulation grant, which assists the STEM Resource Center’s mission to support STEM students through academic, professional development and career readiness opportunities. More information on STEM here: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/opportunity-programs/stem-resource-center.

Click here to make an appointment with the Office of Opportunity Programs through SFC navigate or for additional information.

Travel Programs

Study Abroad Programs give students the opportunity to enrich their academic careers and further their professional goals by studying abroad in a variety of international locations. Please consult the SFC Study Abroad webpage to obtain a procedures checklist and answers to frequently asked questions, financial aid and scholarships.

Instructional Computing

Technology plays an important role in the academic lives of students. In instructional and general computer lab spaces, computers, scanners, printers, internet, and software are available to students and faculty. In our dozens of Smart interactive classrooms and science computer labs, we provide our students and faculty the latest technology for their academic disciplines.

The College currently provides the following student-centered technology services:

Canvas Learning Management System: provides access to SFC courses through online syllabi, notes, links to sites, and online discussions/chat sessions. Students and faculty are able to send email to an entire class or a selected group as well as create announcements throughout the semester. Students also have access to “digital drop boxes” for assignments.
Self-Service: provides students access to academic information, including web registration from any browser. Features include emailing an advisor, spam filtering, student email directory and address book, and the ability for SFC administration to send important messages to students. Students can check their records by entering the appropriate SFC login.
Library: The library provides an online portal that allows students to use the library’s circulation system to access its catalog and select websites from a single, easy-to-use home page.
SFC Files: provides students access to their files, on campus or remotely, from any web browser using cloud technology. Files stored here are backed up nightly.
IT ServiceDesk: The primary contact for tech support is the IT ServiceDesk. Technicians oversee labs, classrooms, and offices, providing hardware and software help for SFC computers, including network and e-mail issues, password recovery, and printing assistance. The IT ServiceDesk provides limited support for personal devices. Students, faculty, and staff can open a service ticket by phone (718) 489-5444 or email servicedesk@sfc.edu.

Information Technology Resources

The primary purpose of student related information technology resources at the College (SFC) is to enhance and support the educational mission of the College. Access to the College’s student related technology resources is a privilege granted to SFC students. These resources include hardware, software, computer accounts, local area networks as well as connections to other computer networks via the Internet. All students using these resources are responsible for using them in an appropriate, ethical and lawful manner. Your use of these resources must conform to laws and College policies regarding protection of intellectual property, including laws and policies regarding copyright, patents, and trademarks. This applies to the downloading or distribution of protected material in any form, including text, photographic images, audio, video, graphic illustrations, and computer software.

More information about the College’s IT policies is available on mySFCportal: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/technology/mysfc-portal. Failure to comply with any SFC IT policy may result disciplinary action including but not limited to expulsion.

Students must refrain from the following activities, including but not limited to:

Using computing resources to violate any College policy or regulation, or federal, state or local law including those related to copyright, patents, and trademarks.
Entering, without authorization, into any user account to use, read, transfer or change the contents in any way.
Using computing facilities to send obscene, abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing messages.Using the resources for activities not directly related to academic or research endeavors in such a way that it causes disruption to other users.
Installing or using unauthorized copyrighted materials or licensed software. Using computing resources to interfere with the normal operation of College computing systems and connected networks including, but not limited to, introducing viruses, flooding the network with messages, sending chain letters, or unfairly monopolizing resources that results in the exclusion of others.
Sharing or downloading of copyrighted material without permission is illegal and as such is against College policy.

Student Technology Services

The College currently provides student-centered technology services by using a single sign on for ease of use mySFC is a portal that takes all the online services listed below, plus much more, and brings them together for you all on one page. We recommend students bookmark SFC Portal for easy and convenient access.

Canvas Management System: provides access to SFC courses through online syllabi, notes, links to sites, and online discussion boards. Students and faculty are able to communicate through several communication methods.
Mail: provides students with access to a College issued email account which is used by the faculty and administrative offices to contact them. The College uses Microsoft Exchange® email system which includes calendar and other personal management tools.
SFC Online Bookstore and Marketplace: offers the books you need at affordable prices. All courses, required materials, and pricing options are displayed in a personalized, easy-to us format.
Ring Central: is an app that allows students, faculty, and staff to call, text, or video chat with each other. Students can access the app from anywhere and on any device (PC, smartphone, tablet, desk phone).
Navigate for Students: is an academic success tool that brings critical resources and appointment scheduling to students with speed and ease. Students use Navigate to connect with their advisors, schedule appointments with advising and other student support services, connect with campus resources, view their course schedule (including any holds), connect with a study buddy in any class, stay on track with important To-Do list items, learn about College events, and more.

Information Technology Support Services Group

The Information Technology Support Services Group is responsible for all desktop/laptop computer systems on campus as well as supporting technology in specialty technology spaces, such as the College’s computer labs, video/voice conferencing rooms, auditorium, and radio station. The Support Services group can be contacted by sending a message to servicedesk@sfc.edu. This is the first line of support for all technology related services at SFC.

Campus Security Information

Building Access and Maintenance

The College campus is for the use of students, faculty, staff, and those on official business. The entrance of the College is located at 179 Livingston Street. All members of the College community must swipe their identification card at the bollards upon arrival.

All guests, including former students, employees and alumni, must present identification and register with the College’s Security Desk. Guests will then be directed to their intended destination. As people enter the building they are monitored by our Security Team, which covers the front desk, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patrols are conducted to ensure all exits are properly closed and to ensure the safety of everyone in the building. In addition to our Security Team, security cameras monitor all exits and entrances and certain areas on Campus. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to report needed repairs to the Facilities Department.

Security Desk

Silverseal Security has been retained by SFC to provide security for the College. Members of the Silverseal team include former NYPD chiefs and high-ranking military officers with years of security experience. Silverseal guards are trained and tested to create a safe and positive environment in line with the College’s policies, procedures and best practices. Their core values of Integrity, Teamwork, Professionalism, and Mission-Focus make them an excellent partner for the College.

Security staff at building entrances provide entry and egress control; manage staff, student and guest identification verification; and monitor building intrusion systems, alarms, and fire detection equipment. Silverseal staff are trained on the location of all fire exits, floor plans, internal stairwells and our Emergency Action Plan (EAP), available https://www.sfc.edu/emergency-action-plan. The 179 Livingston Street Security team is available at 718-489-2100 or 718-489-2105 and at security@sfc.edu. If using SFC phones, security is accessible on extensions 2100 or 2105. In case of emergency please call 911.

Reporting Criminal Activity

The College encourages all students and members of the College community to be fully aware of any safety issues on campus and promptly report any illegal or dangerous activities.

To report a crime in progress or an emergency, please contact 911. Then, call (718) 489-2100, the College’s emergency line.

For additional information about the College’s safety and security policies, please refer to the College’s Annual Security Report, available on the College website: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/safety-and-security.

Clery Report

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or the Clery Act, requires public and private Colleges and universities to disclose information about certain crimes that occur on or near campus. This information can be found online in SFC’s Annual Security Report: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/safety-and-security.

Emergency Notification

Students are required to register for SFCALERTS, the College’s emergency notification system. It will automatically send a message to your cell phone and home should an emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat on campus occur. Students can update their notification information by visiting mySFC portal.

For Emergency Update information, check www.sfc.edu, or call security at (718) 489-2100 or (718) 489-2105.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

The College’s Emergency Action Plan (“EAP”) is a guide to facilitate and organize faculty, staff, and students during an emergency at SFC. It is designed to familiarize and customize our community with the following:

1. Emergency preparation and prevention
2. Emergency response insights
3. Emergency reporting procedures and notifications
4. Evacuation routes and procedures
5. Emergency response chain of command and assignment
6. Post-emergency reporting to ensure future individual and campus safety
7. Risk minimization to facilities and timely response to a variety of situations.

The EAP is available here: available https://www.sfc.edu/emergency-action-plan.

In the event of a medical emergency, the first call should always be to 911. Additional response may also occur through the EAP. Students should familiarize themselves with the EAP including campus evacuation routes and maps available here: https://www.sfc.edu/student-life/safety-and-security

Student Tips for Safety

SFC has partnered with the 84th precinct to provide students with the following tips for decreasing the likelihood of being the victim of a crime:

Always be aware of your surroundings and be vigilant of activity around you.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted by activities such as talking on your cell phone, listening to music, or reading.
Travel with others whenever possible. Walk in well-traveled, and well-lit areas.
If you see something, say something; call 911 for any assistance.
Do not use ATMs located in remote areas. Instead use ATMs during the daylight hours in well populated areas.
Be wary of people approaching you on the street asking you for donations, or anything that would cause you to go to an ATM machine with a stranger.
Do not display electronics in public.
Do not open your wallet or display cash in public.

Identification Cards

In the interest of maintaining the safety and security of the campus, the College requires that all members of the SFC community (e.g., current students and employees) have a properly validated identification card. Students and employees of the College must carry the card at all times and swipe it upon each entrance to the College. Students must also present their card when requested by any College official.

Faculty, staff, administration, and students can obtain an ID in the Office of Student Activities (Room 6111). Lost ID cards may be replaced at a cost of $10.00.

Students who excessively seek access to campus via sign-in at the Security Desk may be denied entry to campus for failing to carry their ID.

Lost and Found

Articles that have been found should be given to the Security Desk in the lobby of 179 Livingston Street. If you lose something, check with these offices to see if the article has been recovered.