SUNY Oneonta freshmen settle into dorms

Local News

Related Photos

CSS50F3.jpg

Discussion

COMMENTING ON STORIES:

Welcome to our story comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including the unpopular ones. We only ask that you keep your conversations clean, civil and on the topic of the story you are commenting on.

Coinciding with our websites redesign, we launched our new story comments feature through Disqus.

Disqus gives users the ability to log into our story comments feature so that they may be able to track their conversations, receive emails when their comments get a reply or to even have your comments update onto your Facebook or Twitter accounts.

For the time being, our story comments feature will continue to have the ability to post comments anonymously. We reserve the right to require registration in the future using your name and verified email address.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified at the newspaper’s discretion for a number of different reasons. Please follow our Online Rules of Conduct at all times.

RULES OF CONDUCT:

We reserve the right to remove comments that are unacceptable, to wit:

1. False and inacurate statements.
2. Personal attacks. Explicit name-calling.
3. Harassing, harmful, vulgar, obscene and defamatory language.
4. Threatening statements or statements that suggest violence.
5. Hate speech of any kind.
6. Intolerant comments on religion, race, age, gender, sexual preference or disabilities.
7. Accusations of criminal activity.
8. Content that is harmful to children and minors in any way.
9. References to any type of sexual activity and other private matters.
10. Random and inflammatory statements that are off topic.
11. Advertising of any kind.
12. Typing in all caps.

WE ENCOURAGE REASONABLE AND COURTEOUS COMMENTS THAT:

1. Create conversation on issues of interest and concern to fellow readers and local community members.
2. Express opinions and contrarian views.
3. Stimulate debate with respectful language.
4. Stay within the boundaries of these rules.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE ACCESS FOR:

1. Violating any of these Online Rules of Conduct.
2. Deliberately disrupting discussions with repetitive messages, meaningless messages or spam.
3. Misrepresentation of identity or impersonating another user.

WE WELCOME:

1. Flagging violations of these rules that you observe to our attention.

MONITORING:

We monitor comments regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approval of comments outside of this time (including weekends) will be sporadic.

comments powered by Disqus

August 20, 2012

SUNY Oneonta freshmen settle into dorms

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer The Daily Star Sat Sep 22, 2012, 12:55 PM EDT

ONEONTA _ Hundreds of students, with help from parents, turned vacant rooms in Littell Hall into living spaces with color-coordinated bedding, lamps and closets and drawers filled with clothes.

Sunday was moving-in day at the State University College at Oneonta. Cheery hellos set a tone of welcoming as new students and their parents met each other and college staff.

"It's a very friendly campus _ the atmosphere is very upbeat," said Kelly Durkin, 17, a Massapequa resident who plans to major in psychology.

Caroline Galgano, 18, of Wantagh, said the friendliness of the college staff and students was reassuring in the face of adjusting to a new environment.

"All the people are really helpful," said Galgano, who said she plans to study communications. "It seems really nice here."

The transformation was repeated in other residence halls at SUNY Oneonta, which will begin its academic year Wednesday.

At Littell Hall, designated for first-year students, new undergraduates, their parents and in some cases, siblings and friends, carried boxes, bags and cartons into rooms, which seemed to grow smaller as possessions were delivered. Some hours later when drawers and closets were filled, and posters and pictures hung, students and parents sat on desk chairs or beds and visited.

"I'm excited _ I'm also a little nervous _ first time being away from home," Ann Lammers, 18, of New Rochelle, said. Lammers said she hasn't decided on a major, which adds to the uncertainly of a new living and academic situation.

Among about 15 freshmen interviewed Sunday, the top three topics on their minds included meeting the rigors of college courses, meeting new people and balancing time academic and social life.

"I'm excited to meet new people," said Grace McDermott, 18, of Albany, who hasn't declared a major.

Students said they chose to enroll at SUNY Oneonta because of the majors offered, its size, appearance and location _ far enough from home but not too far. Several students said campus visits were a positive factor that influenced their decisions and state schools offer a college education at a "good price."

Costs at SUNY Oneonta are $5,570 for in-state tuition, $1,317 in fees and $10,032 for room and board for the 2012-13 year. The college enrolls more than 6,000 students, and this year, 12,000 students applied for 1,100 seats in the freshman class.

SUNY Oneonta has about 260 full-time faculty and about 245 part-time faculty, according to "Fast Facts" on the college website. The campus has 15 residence halls with a capacity of about 3,425 students, the site said.

Littell Hall's occupancy is about 250 students.

Dan and Marie McIntyre of Pearl River were helping their son, Brendan, 18, settle into his Littell room, and they described themselves as veterans after sending two other children to college. They were among parents who expressed pride in their children's achievements and confidence about their futures.

"Once he gets past the first couple of weeks, I'm sure he'll do fine," Don McIntyre said.

"He'll be fine by tonight," his wife said as she unpacked a carton.

"We'll be the ones crying on the way home," he responded.

Brendan McIntyre, who plans on majoring in music industry, said he is concerned about finding new friends, being prepared for classes and being on his own for the first time.

"I really like the campus," he said.

Television screens, refrigerators and microwaves were among the electronics set up in the rooms. Several freshmen said they had "met" their roommates on Facebook, and a few said Sunday was the first time they had met their roommate at all.

By late afternoon, outdoor refuse containers were overflowing with discarded boxes, and cars were leaving the campus.

Rose Hopkins of Staten Island said her son Jonathan is the third to go to college but the first to go away to college.

"This is really a new adventure for all of us," she said as she helped her son unpack.

"He's a good kid. He's always made good decisions," she said. "But we're very far away. I'm nervous about the whole thing. Most of all, we're just going to miss him _ that's the hardest part."

David and Shelley Shereck said they want their son, Sam, 17, of Valley Stream, to be comfortable in this next stage of life.

"It's not that easy," she said. "I'll miss him so much, but I'm proud of him."

Her husband echoed her desire for a good adjustment to college life.

"I want him to be happy and find a good group of friends, and learn and enjoy," David Shereck said. "Learn first."

Loretta Dionisio, said she and her husband, Joseph, of Long Beach said were "thrilled" to see their only child, Lauren, 17, embark on her college education. Lauren, who wants to study fashion merchandising.

"We want her to be happy and find herself," Loretta Dionisio said. "This is the beginning of her life."

Lauren Dionisio said she is concerned about making friends, the course load and the cold weather. Leslie Santana, 17, of the Bronx, said she found out about SUNY Oneonta from an alumna who spoke at her high school.

"I thought it was going to be perfect," said Santana, who also wants to study fashion merchandising. "I'm looking forward to the school year."