“Every office at Cortland you deal with as a student treats you with respect and as someone who matters – I’ve come to find that as rare in life (and in grad school). The faculty also actually cares about you as a student and a person. They are completely real in how they represent themselves – which is another part about Cortland that I miss.”

-Class of 2007 Graduate

“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!

“My Experience with the P.E. program changed my life. Cortland was the perfect place for me and I really wish I would be an advisor of some sort to help get kids to notice Cortland. I wasn’t aware of what a great opportunity until after two years at a Community College. I highly recommend Bill Williams to teach any courses at Cortland for he prepared me more for my career and life more than any other previous teacher.”

-Class of 2007 Graduate

“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!

I really enjoyed my time at Cortland and I would recommend it to anyone. I believe I received an incredible education and I truly appreciate the economics department. All of the faculty in that department that I had interactions with were extremely knowledgeable in their area and were also very helpful. Overall I was happy with my experience at Cortland.

-Class of 2007 Graduate

“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!

SUNY Cortland is filled with wonderful friendly people. It seems wherever I was there were people willing to help without hesitation. Whether I was asking for a balance on my card from the food staff, looking for a book in the library, or asking a teacher to stay after and help me – Everyone was friendly. This is why I chose Cortland twice!

-Class of 2007 Graduate

“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!

Post written by: Lisa Allen

Student Employment on campus is a big factor in students feeling connected to their college community. The Student Employment office will be celebrating the vital contributions that students make to the campus and community through part-time and seasonal work during Student Employment Week (April 13-17). Please utilize this week to let your student workers know how important they are to you and your office.Ideas to celebrate your student workers include:

1. Letters of Appreciation or Letters of Reference
2. Coupon booklets–design coupons for free soda, home-baked goodies, etc.
3. Notes home–send a note home to the families of your student workers to tell them how much they are appreciated, what they do, and how terrific they are.
4. Certificates–buy or make low cost certificates and make up serious or silly awards and present them to your student employees. (i.e. Best Customer Service, Most likely to show up in a snowstorm, Most professional)
5. Friendship plants–take cuttings from an office plant and give to each student employee as a “live” connection to the office.
6. Prepare care packages to give to student workers with popcorn, trail mix, soft drinks, hot chocolate mix, etc.
7. Send all students a thank you note acknowledging their hard work, signed by all staff
8. Provide “treat breaks” with popcorn, chips, candy, etc.
9. Take student employees to lunch
10. Give student employees a small gift
11. Have department head or Dean, Chair, or Vice President send student employees a thank you letter
12. Tell student employees how much you appreciate their help
13. Award “time off” certificates