Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Students in Residence

1. Who staffs the residence halls?

Your son's or daughter's first experience will be with a Resident Assistant (RA). The RAs are upperclass students who receive extensive training in basic helping skills, crisis management, leadership, and conflict resolution. They are responsible for developing community within their area of responsibility and for basic enforcement regarding rules and regulations. Additionally, each quad has 3 to 4 full-time live in professional Residence Hall Directors (RDs) with Master's degrees who have training in counseling, communication and other skills important to maintain an environment in the residence halls conducive to academic success. Each RD has an office on his/her assigned quad and is responsible for supervising the RAs and for serving as a resource to students.

2. If roommates simply cannot get along, can room assignments be changed?

   No room changes are granted the first two weeks of school as we encourage roommates to work together in order to maintain a positive living environment. Residential Life staff are trained to deal with roommate conflicts and act as mediators if needed. Room changes are granted at the discretion of the Residence Hall Director if necessary.

3. What do I do if my son/daughter is homesick?

   The transition from high school student to college freshman can be difficult for some students. Adjusting to a new environment, missing the comforts of home and balancing the academic load are just a few of the challenges that your son or daughter may encounter. Because of these challenges, your son or daughter may turn to you for advice or simply o vent. Someone to listen is usually all that is necessary.

   However, if your son or daughter seems to be having an especially difficult time adjusting to the university (i.e. complaining about friends, having trouble with academic demands, finding nothing interesting or pleasurable) and/or is still having trouble after the first month, please encourage him/her to speak to someone on staff at the University. Faculty members, Residential Life staff, and Counseling Center staff are available to help.

   The University Counseling Center offers a variety of services to students and parents. They have licensed Psychologists on staff who are available to answer questions for parents and/or counseling services to students. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm and can be reached by calling (518)442-5800.

   In addition, your son or daughter may want to speak to a fellow student at the Counseling Center's Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. By calling Middle Earth's hotline (518)442-5777, your son or daughter may anonymously consult a trained undergraduate helper.

4. If I call the Counseling Center, will they let me know how my son or daughter is doing?

   Confidentiality is a critical component of the counseling process and can only be broken when a health or safety concern is raised. If you have concerns about your son or daughter, we would encourage you to first speak with your child and offer them support. If you have questions or need advice on how to assist your child, the Counseling Center offers parents a Consultation Program for this purpose. The Consultation Program can be reached by calling (518)442-5800.

5. How secure are the residence halls?

   The University at Albany considers safety a number one priority. We have implemented a number of initiatives to ensure the safety of our students in the residence halls. The residence halls all have student ID card access doors that only permit residents of the quad access before midnight and only residents of the building (subdivision of the quad) access after midnight. The Residential Life professional and para-professional staff provide 24 hour duty coverage and Security Officers are present on each of the quads during the evening and early morning hours. "Blue Light" emergency phones that connect directly to the University Police are located on and around the quads. Resident Assistants (RAs) also conduct safety related programs for all their residents during first week of school, emphasizing personal and property safety, fire safety and personal responsibility.

6. How fire "safe" are the residence halls?

   The residence halls are all equipped with fire alarms, smoke detectors, and heat sensors that are tested consistently. Students are required to participate in 2 fire alarms in the Fall and 1 in the Spring semester. All alarms are taken seriously! Students are expected to evacuate the buildings and Albany Fire Department responds to every alarm. Any student found tampering with fire safety equipment will face criminal charges and possible suspension from the University.

7. Is insurance required to cover personal belongings?

   The residence halls are all equipped with fire alarms, smoke detectors, and heat sensors that are tested consistently. Students are required to participate in 2 fire alarms in the Fall and 1 in the Spring semester. All alarms are taken seriously! Students are expected to evacuate the buildings and Albany Fire Department responds to every alarm. Any student found tampering with fire safety equipment will face criminal charges and possible suspension from the University.

8. Do the Residence Halls always close down during breaks?

   We strongly encourage students to purchase homeowner's insurance to cover the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings. Although we don't specifically endorse any one company, a brochure advertising insurance will be included in all students assignment letters. Check with your homeowner's policy on the possibility of adding your student to your policy.

9. In the event of an emergency at home, who can I call if I can't contact my son or daughter?

   In the event of an emergency where you cannot reach your son or daughter, call the quad information center of the quad your student lives on. There is a Residence Hall Director on Duty 24 hours a day. The RD will attempt to locate your son or daughter and ask him/her to call you directly. Quad information numbers are as follows:

   • Alumni: (518)442-5870
   • Colonial: (518)442-5911
   • Dutch: (518)442-5900
   • Indian: (518)442-5940
   • State: (518)442-5920
   • Freedom (518)442-5830
   • Empire Commons:(518)956-6250

   You could also contact the University Police Department at 518-442-3131.

10. What is Common Area Damage?

    Assessment of Common Area Damage as defined by the Terms & Conditions of the Residence Hall License states that after a full investigative process by Residence Hall Staff (which includes notifying the residents through a Common Area Damage Bulletin Board), if the persons responsible are not identified, the cost of the damage/vandalism will be equally assessed to all persons who share the common area.

11. What type of damage is billed as Common Area Damage?

    Assessment of damages deals primarily with Major items, repetitive vandalism, and that which is beyond the scope of normal wear and tear. For instance, broken windows, damaged lounge furniture, graffiti or damage to walls and fixtures, and the need for excessive cleaning. The cost to repair such damage is determined and then divided amoung those that share that common area - whether it is a floor, a section of the building, or an entire building.

12. Why do we bill for Common Area Damage?

    Common Area Damage billing can be frustrating for those who are not responsible for the damage. However, the foundation of residence hall living is comprised of strongly held concepts of Community Responsibility. With the support of the Residential Life Staff, responsibility is delegated to residents to maintain the quality of living within their individual hall/community. Without this joint effort, success in maintaining an environment conducive to our students' academic pursuits would not be possible.

13. When is Common Area Damage billed?

    Twice per year: Once at the end of the Fall Semester and the other at the end of the Spring Term.