What can you do to help our students during COVID-19?
Many of you have asked how you can support SUNY Potsdam students as they face challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus. We are so grateful for the strength of our Potsdam community and your continued dedication to our students’ education.
All SUNY Potsdam courses have transitioned to a distance learning format, which means that our students must engage remotely with their coursework, professors and campus community. This has presented difficult financial and emotional circumstances for many of our students.
There are several giving opportunities that the campus is prioritizing in this time of uncertainty. By contributing to one of the following programs, you ensure that our students can continue their education at SUNY Potsdam despite financial challenges caused by the current pandemic.
- The Student Care Fund is used to provide support to students in need of resources to deal with one-time emergencies.
- The Pay It Forward Scholarship Program offers support to students who are facing financial challenges that cannot be met through traditional funding assistance.
- The Fund for Scholarships provides the College with flexibility to support students who do not meet criteria (major, class year, etc.) for restricted scholarships.
- The Campus Food Pantry is open to any member of our campus community who needs food or toiletries, no questions asked.
You can also support our students by sharing messages of encouragement. We have organized an online form for alumni to send thoughtful notes to students as they continue their education remotely. You can access this form here.
To read all of the College’s updates regarding the novel coronavirus, visit potsdam.edu/covid19.
You can make a difference!
The College's Greatest Needs
This is the area of flexibility. Gifts to the College's Greatest Needs help to cover unforeseen circumstances and opportunities as they arise. This allows for the purchase of new equipment, student awards, student travel and research – the College's Greatest Needs!
Annual Fund Categories
Scholarships
Each year the demand for aid grows. With more than 85% of students at SUNY Potsdam needing some financial assistance, the Fund for Scholarships is designated a top priority for the College. Providing gifts to the Fund for Scholarships helps our students with financial needs to continue and succeed.
Arts & Humanities
The Arts & Humanities majors at SUNY Potsdam are growing. Gifts to the Fund for Arts and Humanities aids with art supplies; theater set designs, travel and guest performers. This area also funds the social sciences like psychology, philosophy, and sociology with research programs, travel and programming.
Crane School of Music
The Crane School of Music is renowned for its rich history of education, performance and composition. The Fund for The Crane School of Music helps to fund guest performers, conductors, master classes and student travel for performances. It may also help to fund new instruments, music and licensing, travel for recruitment and supporting the Crane Candlelight Concert shown each year on PBS.
Teacher Education & Professional Studies
From our earliest days, SUNY Potsdam has been deeply rooted in providing excellence in teacher preparation. The Fund for Teacher Education & Professional Studies continues our legacy by providing support for supplies, student teaching collaborations, programming, and travel. Your support also assists our distinguished professional studies majors, like Business Administration, Public Health and Exercise Science, in preparing students for their professional careers.
Math & Science (STEM)
Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (STEM) fields are in increasing relevancy and demand, and so are our STEM majors. Gifts to our Fund for Math & Science (STEM) help to provide proper lab equipment for the sciences, upgraded technology, as well as guest speakers and travel to research conferences.
Student Services
The Fund for Student Services is our most far-reaching fund. Gifts to this fund are designated to offices on campus that help ensure our students’ continued success at Potsdam, while also providing opportunities for them to enjoy their student experience. Whether supporting student tutoring services or funding a special event on campus, your gift has a direct impact on hundreds of students.
Libraries
SUNY Potsdam hosts two libraries—Frederick W. Crumb Library, the main library on campus, which is located in the newly renamed Lougheed Learning Commons, and the Julia E. Crane Memorial Library, which serves the needs of our Crane students and faculty. The Fund for Libraries directly impacts our students by providing funds for books, subscriptions, online resources, and equipment purchases. Your support enables us to serve our students and faculty by providing them with the resources they need to be successful at Potsdam and in their chosen careers.
Athletics
With 17 intercollegiate NCAA Division III teams, the Fund for Athletics supports our many teams and organizations with equipment, travel for training and competition, as well as enriching academic experiences in our many athletics disciplines.