Student Handbook 2021

Student Support Services

Academic Advising The SUNY Academic Advising Program was implemented to enhance the didactic and clinical success of SUNY Optometry students through coaching, mentoring, tutoring and advising. Students who are identified as requiring additional support at any time in their SUNY careers are offered the opportunity to become part of the academic advising program. Students will be assigned a member of the faculty as their advisor with whom they will meet one-on-one. Advisors and advisees will work together to identify areas to focus on to achieve academic success that will include but may not be limited to concrete suggestions about time management and strategies for improving study skills. Confidentiality Information exchanged between the academic advisor and advisee is considered private and will only be shared with other College officials and/or members of the faculty on a “need to know” basis. However, College officials must weigh the request for confidentiality with concern for the health and safety of the College community and its members. Confidentiality in all cases, therefore, cannot be ensured. Academic Faculty and Administration Students having difficulty with course material are strongly encouraged to discuss such issues with their instructor(s). Faculty may provide tutorial assistance or make recommendations and referrals to services that can assist you. The academic department chairs and the vice president and dean for academic affairs or associate dean for graduate studies and research are also available to discuss academic support issues. Clinical Enhancement Program The Clinical Enhancement Program at the SUNY College of Optometry takes an early, individualized, and structured approach to help interns reach their goals of becoming skilled and effective eye care providers upon graduation. The program usually begins during the intern's 3rd year (but can begin in the pre-clinical years) when insufficient clinical progress is identified by faculty members or requested by the intern. Resources for improvement take many forms including meeting with specially trained members of the clinical faculty to discuss clinical care and pursue interventional opportunities in areas challenging the intern. Case discussions to improve clinical reasoning ability, skills practice, video recording of exams or individual observation, improving communication with role playing, and work with a 4th year Clinic Tutor are all possible components of the program and are used or modified as indicated by the needs of the intern. Emphasizing self-reflection and independent effort paired with the support of members of the college community enhances our graduate's ability to practice Optometry independently and with confidence.

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