The sections below are designed to direct you to resources on and around our campus.
If you need assistance connecting with or navigating any of these resources, please connect with the Bear CARE Program.
University Police
(315) 267-2222 - for immediate response on-campus. Calling 911 for on-campus emergencies will delay response.
Renewal House
(315) 379 -9845- 24-hour hotline to respond immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services which empower victims and increase community awareness. Resources include safe housing, transportation and more.
988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This is a 24/7 confidential crisis line available to anyone free of charge. Simply call or text 9-8-8 to be connected with crisis support resources and professionals.
Crisis Text Line
Text "HOME" or "GOT5" to 741741
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
LBGTIQA+ Resources
- The LBGTIQA+ National Hotline
(888) 843-4564 - The LBGTIQA+ National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25)
(800) 246-7743
Both of these resources provide telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 (available 24-7)
Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the Trevor Lifeline now. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTIQA+) young people ages 13-24.
The Prometheus Alumni Food Pantry and the Crane Food Pantry are non-judgmental resources for all members of our campus community to access food and other products. To learn more about these resources, visit the Campus Food Pantries webpage.
Professional Clothes Closet
SUNY Potsdam has created a Professional Clothes Closet that will offer free professional clothing to all students. Come by and shop for an interview outfit, or professional clothing for practicum and student teaching experiences.
Our Clothes Closet Includes:
- Contemporary suit jackets or blazers
- Full suits (jacket and pants or skirt)
- Shirts/Blouses
- Dress slacks and pants
- Professional dresses
- Skirts
- Ties
- Scarves
- Belts
*All items are new or gently used and clean.
*We do not have shoes, boots, or outerwear at this time.
Location
The Clothes Closet is located in Satterlee Hall, room 112 and is open on Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Stewart
stewarla@potsdam.edu
(315) 267-3429
Center for Diversity Clothing Closet
FREE gently used clothing
Located in Sisson 233
Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Accepts donations by appointment only. Email Shawn Ramos, using the subject line "Clothing Closet Donation".
For more information, please contact: Shawn Ramos at ramossm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2184.
Emergency on-campus housing assistance can be obtained at the Office of Residence Life.
For off-campus housing, please refer to this guide Off-Campus-Survival-Guide (PDF).
SUNY Potsdam has a variety of services related to health & wellness.
Among the most critical are:
Student Health Services
This site includes information about how to access the services here on campus, and also the contact information and address of the local Urgent Care clinic and hospital here in Potsdam.
Counseling Center
The College Counseling Center provides brief solution-based psychological services to students experiencing emotional or situational difficulties. Services include individual counseling, psycho-educational groups, peer counselors, light therapy space, and medication management with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You can also contact the counseling center at counseling@potsdam.edu.
Accommodative Services
The Office of Accommodative Services offers academic support for students with documented disabilities. Reach out to Jessica Burnett at burnetjj@potsdam.edu for additional information regarding their services, or visit the Accommodative Services webpage.
A list of off-campus providers can be found on the Counseling Center website or on the ADK Wellness Connections website.
There are many library resources for self-care and personal development as well. View Library Resources.
Bear CARE Program
The Bear CARE Program is SUNY Potsdam's Case Management program. CARE stands for Consultation, Advocacy, Referral, and Education. The Bear CARE Program offers comprehensive support to students who need assistance with difficult or unexpected life events during their time in college.
Therapist Finders:
- Anywhere:
The Health Hub
- Offers free hygiene and personal care products to campus students
- Located on the 2nd floor of Satterlee Hall just outside Room 200
- open during building hours
- Accepts donations
- For more information or to make a donation, please contact Tanya Hewitt at (315) 267-2543 or hewitttk@potsdam.edu.
Medical Providers
- Canton-Potsdam Hospital: (315) 265-3300, located at 50 Leroy St. Potsdam, NY 13676)
- Canton-Potsdam Hospital Urgent Care: (315) 261-5525, Open daily 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., located at 49 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13676
- Claxton-Hepbun Medical Center: (315) 393-3600, Located at 214 King St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Health Initiative of St. Lawrence County has staff who are trained and certified "Health Insurance Navigators" for New York State who can assist you with finding low cost or free health insurance coverage for you and your family. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Jerome James at (315) 261-4760 ext 229 or jerome@gethealthyslc.org.
Renewal House
Renewal House's mission statement is:
"To respond immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services which empower victims and increase community awareness."
They have staff on the SUNY Potsdam campus on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Sisson Hall. For resources or to make an appointment, email renewelhouse_campus@verizon.net.
24 hour hotline: (315) 379 - 9845
If You Are Sexually or Otherwise Assaulted on Campus
Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
If an emergency, contact SUNY Potsdam University Police immediately at (315) 267-2222 or use a Blue Light emergency phone.
Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do NOT shower/bathe/wash, douche, change clothing, comb hair, drink or eat, or do anything that would alter a physical exam. Wait until after one has been completed at a hospital. Also, do not launder clothing and/or bedding or throw away anything that can be used as evidence.
Remember, assaults, sexual or otherwise, are crimes; they are not the victim's fault. Victims have the right to pursue adjudication of crimes that occur on the SUNY Potsdam campus through criminal courts and/or through the University's internal disciplinary process (under the Campus Code of Student Conduct). SUNY Potsdam's University Police are trained to assist with prosecution in both systems.
The College will make every effort to be responsive and sensitive to the victims of these serious crimes. Protection of the victim and prevention of continued trauma is the College's priority. When the victim and the accused live in the same residence hall, an immediate hearing with the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards will be held to determine the need for modifying the living arrangements. Assistance for any other personal or academic concerns will be reviewed and options provided.
You may also use the above link to make a bias or discrimination report, which will go directly to the SUNY Potsdam BIRT officer.
St. Lawrence Chemical Dependency Services
Services Offered:
- Offers services to individuals and families with alcohol abuse and/or substance abuse problems.
- Provides outpatient individual, group, and family counseling and referrals for inpatient treatment and other levels of treatment.
- Satellite Offices in Gouverneur, Massena and Potsdam.
- For referrals call (315) 386-2189
St. Lawrence Health Systems (CPH)
We are committed to providing addiction treatment services for anyone who is ready to break their cycle of addiction. St. Lawrence Health System will work with each individual one-on-one to evaluate their needs and goals from the start. Our team includes licensed alcohol and substance use counselors, mental health providers, and medical staff who work together to ensure a gentle transition between services and providers as they move through each stage of substance abuse treatment. We are the only substance use disorder treatment facility within 100 miles providing a full range of addiction services with individualized, person-centered care and treatment plans for drug, alcohol, and chemical dependency.
AA meetings in St. Lawrence County- A comprehensive list of AA, NA, and Alanon happening each day.
To arrange to speak with an A.A. member or get more information on local A.A. meetings call (315) 268-0120 for St. Lawrence County (except Massena).
Call (518) 481-4606 for Massena and Franklin County.
SUNY Potsdam has several student clubs around religion/spirituality. Click here to see current groups and join Get Involved to learn about their upcoming events.
Bear Shuttle
The Bear Shuttle is free transportation for SUNY Potsdam students to local businesses and services. an updated schedule can be found here: Bear Shuttle Schedule
College Express
Students seeking to travel downstate (Albany, Rockland, NYC, or Long Island) for break will be able to purchase tickets through College Express. Learn more about College Express and other transportation resources can find out more here: Transportation Resources.
First Mile Last Mile Program
Need a ride to a bus stop to catch a public transit bus? Considering using the First Mile Last Mile program through St. Lawrence County Public Transportation. Call (315) 644-6944 between the hours of 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule your First Mile Last Mile appointment. You must call 48 business hours before your scheduled appointment to arrange your First Mile Last Mile ride.
Jim's Transportation Med Cab
Call (315) 854-5981 for getting back to campus after being discharged from inpatient care in Ogdensburg, NY.
Medicaid Taxi Service
If you have Medicaid insurance and need transportation to/from medical appointments/care, contact 1-866-722-4135 to arrange transportation. Must call at least 3 days in advance.
Volunteer Transportation
Need a ride? The Volunteer Transportation Center provides rides to NNY neighbors who otherwise would not have access to critical medical, mental health, dental and other life sustaining services. Our services are provided to those in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties regardless of their ability to pay. We also have contracts with municipal insurance companies (for example: New York State Medicaid) and many human service agencies. If you need a ride to an upcoming medical appointment, use this VTC Client Application to find the appropriate contact number. Fill out an application 7-10 days before your appointment!
St. Lawrence County Transportation
Each week, buses stop at more than 50 locations throughout St. Lawrence County and are run and operated by St. Lawrence County Public Transportation (Public Transit. Students ride any bus, unlimited trips, for FREE with presentation of a Student ID!! Our buses are wheelchair accessible, and accommodations can be made for other disabilities upon request. For questions about bus routes or assistance navigating the bus schedule, please contact 315-386-2600.
Uber/Taxis
Whether you're headed to work, the airport, or out on the town, the Uber app connects you with a reliable ride – from low-cost to premium – in minutes. One tap and a car comes directly to you. Your driver knows exactly where to go. When you arrive, payment is easy with cashless options.
Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley accompanies families for thirteen months following the death of a loved one. Bereavement services are provided at the request of Hospice families and are also available to members of the community who are grieving free of charge.
Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley’s Bereavement Services support grieving individuals through:
- Grief Education Support – Hospice offers short term (4) sessions of grief education support to St. Lawrence County residents. Criteria for receiving this support:
- Loss must not have occurred more than three (3) years ago
- 18 years or older
- Ready to commit to and work on the grief process
- Ability to make own appointment
- Not currently receiving therapy or other counseling services
- Support Groups – these six-week programs allow individuals the opportunity to share with others who are navigating grief. Our grief support groups will provide individuals with tip, tools and resources to help them through their grief journey. For additional information on monthly support groups click here.
Contact the Bereavement Coordinator at (315) 265-3105 for more information on these services and additional services available.