News

Christine Dunagan

Portrait of Christine Dunagan
Christine Dunagan

When Christine Dunagan carried the University College flag as class marshal at her graduation from Syracuse University, she was finishing what she had started 30 years before. Life had intervened in her college journey back then, but as her 50th birthday approached, she was determined to call herself a college graduate. While working as an administrative assistant at Lockheed Martin, Dunagan discovered that her employer offered tuition assistance to employees who returned to school. “I wanted to do this for myself, and I wanted to set an example for my son,” Christine says. Continue Reading

Joe Stray

Joe Stray at Commencement
Joe Stray

It’s not often that you see a boxer sitting in a college classroom, but Joe Stray did just that before earning his degree from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences in May. At just 22, Joe was a part-time SU student and the founder, president, and head coach of the Syracuse University Boxing Club. He also coached at Bally Total Fitness and is an amateur boxer for Ray Rinaldi out of West Area Athletic and Education Center. He hopes to someday get out of the ring and move to the front of the classroom, as a sociology teacher. Continue Reading

Online classes: What you need to know

Thinking about taking an online class at Syracuse University? It’s a convenient alternative to traditional classroom learning, but don’t expect it to be easier or require less of a commitment. To succeed in online classes, you must be self disciplined, goal oriented, and well organized. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week online for a 3-credit class, and additional time for homework and reading.

Here are some things you need to know before taking an online class at Syracuse University:

  • Online classes are open to full- and part-time students, both matriculated and nonmatriculated, unless a specific restriction is stated in the class description. Tuition for online classes is the same as for regular classes.
  • Completing an online class requires familiarity with e-mail and web browsing. You do not need to be a computer expert, but you should be comfortable sending and receiving e-mail messages, navigating the web, and downloading, storing, and retrieving files.
  • Discuss special technology requirements with your course instructor or the Help Desk (315-443-2677 or help@syr.edu) before enrolling in an online course. For a list of the recommended minimum computer requirements to participate in an online class, visit online.syr.edu/students/online-courses/
  • To access online classes, one business day after your registration, go to blackboard.syr.edu. Follow the login instructions when you are ready to access Blackboard. IMPORTANT: You will need to know your SU Net ID and password. If you do not know them, visit the Information and Technology Services web site at its.syr.edu/netid/ or call 315-443-2677.
  • If you have trouble accessing Blackboard, contact the Help Desk at 315-443-2677 or help@syr.edu.

Tips to ensure your success in online classes:

  • Don’t procrastinate! Set aside 3-5 hours a week of quiet time to complete your online work, and plan on more time for homework and reading assignments.
  • Connect with instructors at the outset and maintain communication with them throughout the class. Understand that you won’t receive immediate answers to your questions, so plan for that. Online instructors are happy to help you when needed, but help may not always be available right away.
  • Online classes often require a lot of reading, as well as interaction in discussion boards, etc. Set aside the time you need for both, because you can fall behind quickly in an online course.

How CNY Works

Each year, the Onondaga Citizens League conducts a comprehensive study about issues that are critical to the Central New York community. The 2016-17 study, “How CNY Works,” examines the different types of work that people in our region do, and the work opportunities we can expect in the future. It also addresses poverty and the ways it relates to gainful employment opportunities in the Central New York area.

 

Click here to read the study [PDF].

Lights . . . cameras . . . Go SU Part time!

UC has a new TV commercial!

University College will be 100 years old next year, but our inspiring TV commercial is brand new. The 30-second spot focuses on UC students and their journey to a college degree, which can be challenging but is often the most rewarding experience of their lives.

Click here to see for yourself why so many choose to study part time at SU. Take the chance— you’re worth it!