Categories
Free Activities

CUNY Free Admission to Museums 

CUNY ID unlocks more than just education:

College students in general carry a lot of stress and when it comes specifically to CUNY students, a way to relax and enjoy life outside of school may come in a form of exploring NYC. However, a plethora of these students aren’t aware of all the great resources available to them as they are busy with many things such as studying for their classes. The most essential item given to a CUNY student, is their ID card. This not only holds access to their education and identities, but also one of the valuable resources available to CUNY students, which are free admissions to select museums with proof of student ID. The free places listed are: Americas Society, Asia Society and Museum, The Frick Collection, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Museum, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, The Jewish Museum, Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, El Museo del Barrio, The Museum of the City of New York, Museum of Jewish Heritage, MoMA, September 11 Museum, Poster House, Queens Botanical Gardens, The Shed, Museum of Illustration, and The Whitney Museum (“Free Museum Admission”). 

Picture of a Hunter ID template using the image and name of the founder, Thomas Hunter.
[@hunter_college]. Picture of Template CUNY ID. Twitter, 12 Jun. 2018, 12:49 PM, https://twitter.com/Hunter_College/status/1006579281852555266.

History of CUNY Arts Initiative:

Students who enjoy the arts, want to learn something new, or simply adventure in a wondrous city are welcome to enter these places. CUNY Arts is the initiative that allows for this experience (“CUNY Arts”). The chancellor at the time being, started to implement this action in 2016 in order to promote diversity in cultural organizations after realizing there was a lack of various communities in these places (“CUNY Launches Landmark Initiative to Open City’s Arts and Cultural Institutions to Students”). There are more perks than just free admission to these venues from CUNY Arts, such as academic courses, programs, and even internships (“MOMA Free Admission and Professional Development Programs for CUNY Students!”). NYC is full of the creative arts and within recognizing that, CUNY was able to create a foundation for eager students to have these opportunities. 

Experiencing the MoMA as a Hunter Student:

 Knowing this, I wanted to take advantage myself and see how the experience would be as a CUNY student compared to if I wasn’t. One of the big-name museums I haven’t been to before is the Museum of Modern Art and reading that off the list, I had my eyes set on visiting it, especially since it is close by to Hunter. Even though it was a weekday in the afternoon, there was still a tremendous crowd of people lining up and entering. There were two sets of bag checks and only a straight path of people in single file were allowed to enter. Regardless of the extremely long line, I was able to get to the checkout tablets until I realized you can only get in for free admission by speaking with the clerk in the ticket booths and having physical proof of your ID. It would have been easier to check in through the tablet and scan my ID instead of having to go on a different line and waiting after groups of others. However, if I weren’t a CUNY student, the check-in process would have been more difficult using a tablet on my own and a regular ticket would have cost $25. The line moved decently, and the clerk checked me in on his computer and gave me the tickets immediately, there wasn’t any need to give notice of attending beforehand. Fortunately, it was not a hassle, and the process went smoothly. With my ticket, I had the freedom to enjoy the art and nature that was in front of me.

 I wanted to get the full experience, so I made sure to check all the areas on each floor. The respective sections had unique themes ranging from exhibitions to architecture, throughout the time periods of the 1880’s to the present day. I saw things that I didn’t even know could be considered art, like dishes and furniture. Throughout my wandering there, I realized that this art wan’t just something to visually enjoy, but something I could learn rich history from and critical knowledge. I saw poster-boards intricately designed with logos, funny artwork, antiques, sketches for spaceships, the history of ecology, and the anatomy of an AI system among many more. I was fascinated at the information that a tiny college ID card could unlock for me and thousands of others. One of the most memorable and relatable parts relative to newer CUNY students, is the Please Knock: A Teen of Album Art installation. High school students had created what they depicted to be a teenager’s bedroom and it was an interactive area to make your own art, stories, and touch all the props. Before leaving, I noticed that there was outdoor seating and an illuminating garden with statues and water around it. Not only did I get to see what the museum itself offered, but also enraptured the soothing nature around it for free. 

This picture relates to the space section of the MoMA, it is a sketch and description of a design they used before the 2000’s.
Uddin, Fabiha. Photograph of Sketch. 22 Sept. 2023.
This picture at the MoMA depicts a protest of how landfills kill and detoxification protects, in the mid 1900’s.
Uddin, Fabiha. Photograph of Protest. 22 Sept. 2023.
This is a picture at the MoMA of a ombre painting of black to red with “FAITH” written in the middle in white font.
Uddin, Fabiha. Photograph of Painting. 22 Sept. 2023.

Additional and Concluding Information:

The MoMA specifically, has accessibility that can be useful to students such as all-gender restrooms, sound amplification, and ASL interpreters. However, I did notice that it was a bit hard to navigate the museum on my own and it would have been beneficial to have a tour guide or specialized map of some sort. Additionally, for this venue, faculty planning a trip with a class can give an advanced notice in order to enter for free admission. Students who are enrolled full-time have one free admission per visit as well as the staff. It is important to note that Monday mornings are reserved for members only, so students may not go in at that time. This experience could aid students who might have an assignment on one of these institutions or simply want to try something new. It is even explained that “MoMA makes a significant annual donation of exhibition catalogues and primary resource publications to CUNY libraries and organizes special events and programs at the Museum for CUNY faculty and students” (“MoMA/CUNY Partnerships | MoMA”). Unfortunately, some downsides are that students may find this content boring or are simply uninterested, but the offer will always be there as long as they have their CUNY ID. 

This is a picture of the entrance and street of where the MoMA in Manhattan is located.
Brandon, Elissaveta. Picture of MoMA. The Architectural Review, 6 July 2021, https://www.architectural-review.com/places/united-states/museum-of-modern-art-extension-new-york-by-diller-scofidio-renfro. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Works Cited

“CUNY Arts.” The City University of New York, www.cuny.edu/academics/current-initiatives/cuny-arts/#p10. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

“CUNY Launches Landmark Initiative to Open City’s Arts and Cultural Institutions to Students.” CUNY Newswire, www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2017/02/21/cuny-launches-landmark-initiative-to-open-citys-arts-and-cultural-institutions-to-students/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

“Free Museum Admission.” Office of the Arts at Hunter College, 27 Oct. 2021,

ooa.hunter.cuny.edu/free-museum-admission/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

“MoMA/CUNY Partnerships | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/teaching/education-partnerships/moma-cuny-partnerships. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

“MOMA Free Admission and Professional Development Programs for CUNY Students!” Feirstein Film School Community, 2 Apr. 2021, feirstein.blog.brooklyn.edu/bulletin/cuny-bc-events/moma-free-admission-and-professional-development-programs-for-cuny-students/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Categories
About

Fitness Groups & Recreation Center

Introduction

Hunter College offers a diverse range of resources and services to enhance the overall health of its students. Among these valuable resources are the Hunter College Fitness Groups and Recreation Center. These services provide Hunter College students with access to fitness classes, open gyms, and weightlifting facilities.

Fitness Classes Catering to Student Needs

The fitness groups are presented as a multifaceted resource catering to the fitness needs of students. The service is designed to promote physical well-being and provide opportunities for students to engage in physical activities that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. These classes include Cardio Spin, Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi. The Cardio Spin class is open to all ability levels and provides a challenging cardiovascular workout, while Mat Pilates focuses on enhancing balance and targeting specific muscle groups. The Yoga class offers a combination of relaxation and physical challenge, aimed at improving flexibility and mental centering. Tai Chi, led by an experienced instructor, offers a serene environment for reducing stress, anxiety, and body tension while enhancing flexibility and mental focus. Each class is guided by knowledgeable instructors, ensuring that participants receive tailored guidance and support. Group Fitness Schedules can be found on the B3 level of the west building.

Hunter College Athletics, “Facilities”, https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/reservespace/68th-street-campus/athletics, Accessed 30 September 2023.

Access to Open Gyms and Weightlifting Facilities


The Hunter College Recreation Center, on the other hand, provides students with access to open gyms and weightlifting facilities. The recreation room and open gym can both be found in the basement floor of the North Building. The open gyms and weight room are available everyday during certain times throughout the entire week, with the exception of weekends. This accessibility gives students the ability to incorporate fitness into their schedules, supporting their overall health and comfort.

Hunter College Athletics, “Facilities” 29 January 2018, https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/reservespace/68th-street-campus/athletics, Accessed 30 September 2023.

Convenient Access and Cost-Free Benefits


The utilization of the recreation provides students with access to information and facilities. Students can check class schedules, gym hours, and location details through the official Hunter College athletics website, making it simple to plan their fitness activities around their academic commitments. Importantly, the fitness classes, open gym sessions, and access to the weight room are made available to students free of charge, reducing financial barriers and promoting inclusivity. This cost-free access aligns with the college’s commitment to supporting students’ overall well-being during their academic journey.

Benefits of Hunter College Fitness Groups


Hunter College Fitness Groups serve as a valuable resource that fulfills several needs within the student community. They promote physical health and well-being, addressing the sedentary nature of academic life. Additionally, they offer a sense of community and social connection, allowing students to build relationships beyond the classroom. Not only can participating in this service benefit a student’s physical health, but can also boost a student’s academic performance in a classroom. Studies show that physical activity serves as a natural stress reliever by triggering the release of endorphins, reducing stress, and promoting emotional well-being. This reduction in stress and anxiety can lead to better focus on academic responsibilities. Increased energy and alertness resulting from exercise can enhance classroom participation and information retention. Furthermore, improved sleep quality, often associated with regular physical activity, supports effective learning and memory consolidation.

Barriers to Access


While Hunter College Fitness Groups offer numerous benefits, there are some barriers to access that students may encounter. These barriers include the limited availability of classes during certain time slots, which may not align with every student’s schedule, thus hindering participation. Additionally, as seen in the photograph below, the popularity of the weightlifting gym can lead to overcrowding, making it challenging for students to exercise comfortably and access equipment. Hunter College should consider increasing the space to avoid overcrowding gyms.

Image preview

Julius Balatbat, Photograph of Hunter College Gym, 2 October 2023

Intended Audience and Tailored Service


The intended audience for the Hunter College fitness groups and recreation center is primarily Hunter College students. These resources are tailored to the interests of the student body, offering an opportunity for students to stay active and prioritize their health amidst their academic pursuits. The fitness programs are designed to align with the unique challenges and schedules of college life, recognizing that students often face time constraints and academic pressures.

Works Cited

Hunter College Athletics, https://www.huntercollegeathletics.com/sports, Accessed 27 September 2023. 

 Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and Melinda Smith, M.A, The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise,  https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living, Accessed 27 September 2023.

Anxiety & Depression Association of America, Physical Activity Reduces Stress, https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st, Accessed 27 September 2023.

Harvard Health Publishing, Exercising to Relax, 7 July 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax, Accessed 27 September 2023.

Categories
About

Hunter College Office of AccessABILITY

Education is a right that should be given to anyone and everyone. The right to having an education is something that some of us take for granted, when it should be something we can all collectively appreciate and use to its fullest extent. Unfortunately, many people, especially young children or teens, are born with or develop disabilities early on, which make the process of getting an education difficult, along with other aspects of life. On top of this, the city has been delayed in improving the learning aspects of young people. A majority of schools and colleges don’t favor the disabled in how they’re run, how they’re built, etc. “New York is home to nearly 200,000 students with disabilities, and the delays have persisted since at least 2003, during former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, when parents first sued the Department of Education over them” (Closson). And in this pursuit of bettering education for students with disabilities, public schooling and colleges continue to improve and implement many services and programs to help make learning with disabilities efficient, inclusive and supportive.

The City University of New York offers some of the best programs in the country and is highly reputable in many aspects, such as sports, education, etc. One of these programs that are offered is aid and accessibility services to the disabled. Hunter College, being a CUNY school, offers a wide variety of aid to those who are disabled and need further assistance in education or as an educator. Hunter has their Office of AccessABILITY for disabled faculty and students to help enhance and make the university as accessible and inclusive as possible for all students and faculty. This resource at Hunter offers many additional services to ensure each area of need is targeted. The Office of AccessABILITY works in collaboration with other departments and divisions of Hunter to offer you the best resources. 

Hunter’s Office of AccessABILITY has its very own section on Hunter’s main website where all its resources are offered. The main section of the website clearly states its mission, what the service’s goal is, and who it targets as the director of the office, Sudi Shayesteh. The website section is apparent and very easy to navigate. Their subsections, services, and programs are underneath their mission statement, all together in one list. At the very bottom of the list is their contact page for any further questions along with a schedule of their availability. You can contact them at 212-772-4857 or tgumbs@hunter.cuny.edu. From my experience using the provided website, I wouldn’t say I ran into any barriers navigating through the website. Everything was posted clearly for me to access. It still feels straightforward and simple for anyone to navigate through. 

Two CUNY programs are offered throughout every CUNY school. All CUNY’s implement services in an effort to improve education for disabled students. “CUNY is deeply committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities through innovative support programs, grounded in nationally regarded best practices in postsecondary disability services which support the academic success and personal development of students with disabilities” (CUNY). With this are programs offered through each CUNY. The CUNY LEADS Project and the CUNY Project Reach. CUNY LEADS helps people with disabilities make career-related choices post-education. And CUNY Project Reach is specifically targeted at students on the autism spectrum. This makes it clear that services like these that are offered at Hunter are also offered throughout CUNY universities. Both of these services are provided outside of Hunter’s main accessibility website on CUNY’s accessibility website. 

However, as for actually physically getting these resources, it is quite a barrier in itself. Hunter’s Office of AccessABILITY is located at 1214B in the East building. That means that this office is located on the twelfth floor of one of Hunter’s buildings. Hunter college is a university located in the dense and crowded city, meaning the campus and the buildings itself are not spacious and can easily get packed. For students with any sort of disability, having to traverse through narrow hallways with swarms of students is absolutely not ideal for them. This applies for all sorts of education in New York City, both collegiate and public schooling. “Inaccessible school buildings have long represented a barrier for students with physical disabilities” (Zimmerman). The services offered for students with disabilities can definitely improve and aid one’s education, but when the campus is unchangeable and not in favor of students with disabilities, things are different.  

Overall, the accessibility services offered at Hunter are shown to be very useful and offered in a wide variety. From offering help to students with hearing disabilities, to visual impairments, Hunter makes sure to provide a plethora of resources to better and enrich the learning for all of its students, despite the boundaries that may be present in the physical campus. With an easy to navigate website, with plenty of resources, Hunter college and its office of AccessABILITY is a reliable source.

Categories
Technology

Hunter College A/V Dept

Decorative image of laptop
A Laptop (New York Times)

College is a time for exploration and discovery, in other words, severe self-doubt. I’ve only ever been to small public schools, around 400 kids each. There, I had homeroom teachers who told me my classes and handed out forms, and counselors who emailed us directly about external opportunities, without me having to find them. But as a college student, all that responsibility lies on ourselves. My parents, who used to ask my teachers the questions, now can’t even legally talk to the administration in my stead. Left isolated in an unknown environment, how could I get to know, what I should know? 

Well, surprisingly it’s actually relatively easy, once enough motivation is built up at least. While it is true that college is higher education and the expectations placed upon students’ self-reliance are expected, ultimately we are still students. Problems that students face are perpetual, monetary, physical, emotional, mental, etc. Essentially, what makes a resource useful is the quantity of demand for that particular service. 

Internet users 2017 (Hillyer)

Out of the 5 classes that I attend, only one does not require the use of technology. Whether it be due to the readings posted online or websites where the homework is assigned, without access to my devices I wouldn’t be able to do many things comfortably, or at all. While I have the privilege of having a laptop, some others may not be allowed the same. Especially due to recent times, when a computer chip shortage is occurring, buying laptops isn’t so simple. This is why the resource that I will be discussing in particular is Hunter College’s Audio Visual Department, A/V Dept. 

Located in the North building, in a corner on the left, next to the staircase, right after coming off the sky bridge from the West building, room 333N. It is very easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Don’t let the name or directions intimidate you from taking advantage of the services that they provide. If people want to contact them in other ways then their phone line is 212-772-4943 and their email is av_res@hunter.cuny.edu. Of course, there are requirements to allow students the eligibility of borrowing equipment. Including, being a Hunter College student with, a good record, a valid ID and email address as well as another valid photo ID, passport, driver’s license, etc., and then having to sign the liability agreement form (Laptop). Although loaning is free, overdue and any damages will have to be fined and usage is limited to the Hunter College campus unless otherwise stated, alongside certain restrictions on programs. On weekdays, the A/V Dept is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maybe not a primary concern, but other devices that can be borrowed include video playback units, cables, microphones, and recording and audio equipment. 

Image of entrance to Audio Visual Center
Photograph of A/V Center Entrance (Nash)

I’ve spoken to people who’ve made use of this resource and they are very fond of the accessibility of it. Some people don’t need devices for the majority of their classes and don’t want to lug one around all day on their backs. A freshman, Mahir Alom, had said that some days he needed a laptop for only “one class” and didn’t find it efficient to bring his own device for that. At the same time, many people I’ve spoken with, or someone they know, borrowed laptops from another Hunter College resource. On the east building’s third floor where the Leon and Toby Cooperman Library is located, there is a help desk where several devices are available (Computers). Of the people I’ve asked, they more often borrow from the library rather than the A/V Dept. There isn’t much of an online presence mentioning the A/V Dept, other than a few comments posted on Reddit, with people recommending loaning the optimal devices for a class rather than using a, not recommended device (Iluvdonuts2). Concurrently, there are also some grateful posts and comments about the resource. Therefore I recommend simply going to the A/V Dept in person. 

Images which shows loan policies for AccessABILITY students
Laptop Loan Policies (Laptop)

College, I know, is challenging, the title of higher education being self-explanatory. It may seem like it’s out to get you sometimes but there are also ways you can get college to work for you. It’s merely a matter of finding a method. Struggling to get yourself online and access research databases? Give the A/V Dept a visit, you might find what you’re looking for. 

Categories
About Hunter College Learning Centers

Hunter Rockowitz Writing Center: First Hand Experience

(Logo of the Hunter Rockowitz Writing Center).                                                     Cite: Design, Twenty Six. Hunter College Rockowitz Writing Center, hunter.mywconline.com/schedule.php. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

Writing an essay is one thing, but writing an effective essay with impact can be challenging. I’ve struggled countless times to write essays with cohesion and deep analysis put into it. Starting an essay can be a frustrating experience for me, at times it feels like the only option is just throwing things in the wall to see what sticks and I know I’m not alone when it comes to this situation. My rough relationship with writing was a main factor as to why I was intrigued by checking the Hunter Rockowitz writing center. I assumed the writing center was just there to give tips and simple writing formats for students to follow, I didn’t really have any expectations. I’ll be telling you my experience with the writing center, the good, the bad, and to see if it fulfilled my expectations.

The Web Experience

I checked the website for more information, the website explains and gives you insight as to how this resource can help you, Stating the goals being “to improve students’ reading and writing processes, how they engage texts and write papers, and in the effort help students actively participate in their own education and to appreciate the educational value of all the courses offered in the college’s curriculum” (Hunter Rockowitz Writing Center). I found the website to be pretty unpleasant to navigate. The website did a poor job showing you how to make an appointment. I had to type up Hunter writing center appointments in order to make one instead of it just being on the website presentable for everyone to see, it was only till after I learned that it was shown in a subcategory in the students section. I felt it should’ve been shown in the homepage of the website, and even if it was in the homepage, it shouldn’t be a searching game to find it. Besides that I knew the best way to experience the writing center was to of course get help from the writing center. In order to book an appointment, you’d need to make an account using your hunter college email. After that it’s only a matter of picking whether I’d take it online or in person and what tutor to work with and the time slot. I had a pretty easy experience with booking the appointment. I picked Ana for an in person chat in the afternoon since I had no classes at that time.

Appointment Time

(A glimpse of the front desk at Hunter Rockowitz Writing Center thats located at the 7th floor library).                                                                                                      Cite: Rollison, Jude. “The Who, What, When, Where and Why Q&A of the Acting Director of the Dr. Murray and Anna C. Rockowitz Writing Center at Hunter College– Part 1.” The WORD, hunterword.com/index.php/rockowitz-reading-writing-center-rocks-for-students-by-jude-rollins-2022/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

When the day finally came, I went to the 7th floor at the library and I took a seat around the lounge area. The tutoring center is broken down into different color strips, each color representing the different departments and their designated spots. I explored a bit on my own to learn that the writing center was represented by the orange color. With the little time I spent sitting and checking, it was overall a pretty quiet room, sometimes there was chatter between a couple of students but that was as noisy as it got. When the time struck two o ‘ clock, the people in the front booth guided me to the booth where I’d be talking to Ana.

Me and Ana greeted each other, she started off by telling me what I needed help with. I told her jokingly how I needed help with writing an effective blog post about the writing center that didn’t drag itself or the reader. She was surprised with what I was asking for but she was eager to help, she started off by telling me questions about why I chose the writing center as my topic for the blog post. I stated “I chose the writing center because I felt I was going to use this resource in the future, but also because it just fits well with the class I needed to write the blog for”. I then elaborated that it was for my English 120 class. I then asked her for her reasons as to why she chose the writing center. She told me how she was deciding on a film major but instead she found it more fulfilling to teach others writing skills and she plans to teach abroad. The conversation turned to this great back and forth, asking questions about the writing center. She reassured me that “the writing center doesn’t spoon feed students writing tips and information but instead they try to lead the students to a direction they feel satisfies their writing assignment the most” (Ana). That’s one of the things I worried about when checking the writing center and I’m glad I got the answer I wanted. Ana also told me her experience working at the center and how it’s a great place to focus on work in general. When it finally came time to talk about the blog post, since I was writing a blog post and not a standard essay, Ana gave me the advice to check out editorials from NY Times magazines. From my own personal checkings, the editorials are structured to be short articles that get their point out in the first few paragraphs, this form of writing is being used to help write this very blog post and I feel is a lot more flexible than a standard three to five paragraph essay. After taking in the feedback, the appointment was finished and I had a better picture as to how I would write the blog post.

My experience with the Hunter Rockowitz Writing Center was overall positive. My only negative experience with it was navigating through the main website, but everything else went by very smoothly. The tutors were eager to help with any issues students have with their writing assignments and are of course the best part about this experience. The room is also just relaxing and is a great place to finish any remaining work. I didn’t even mention the many extras that come with the writing center, like weekly tutor sessions and online sessions for those who prefer to get advice through online interaction. I didn’t use those resources because I tend to learn better in person but that doesn’t mean it can’t be helpful to others. I would say the writing center did exceed my expectations and I would recommend it to others. 

Work Cited:

Ana. Personal interview. 27 September 2023.

Design, Twenty Six. Hunter College Rockowitz Writing Center, hunter.mywconline.com/schedule.php. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

Rockowitz Writing Center – Hunter College, www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

Rollison, Jude. “The Who, What, When, Where and Why Q&A of the Acting Director of the Dr. Murray and Anna C. Rockowitz Writing Center at Hunter College– Part 1.” The WORD, hunterword.com/index.php/rockowitz-reading-writing-center-rocks-for-students-by-jude-rollins-2022/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023. 

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About

Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government

(Image of Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government Logo from Hunter College | Student Government (hunterusg.org))

The Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government (USG) “is the official democratic elected student representative for all Hunter undergraduates matriculated and non-matriculated students; and It is responsible for creating and providing services and activities which its membership consider important to fulfilling the experience of being a student attending Hunter College” (Constitution). Hunter USG offers in-person office hours in room TH 201; where one is welcome and encouraged to visit the office any time during the listed hours Monday-Friday from 10 am-6 pm as well as having access to reach out to any representative, where their contact information is available on the website. Another place to find more attainable information and be up-to-date is on the Hunter USG Instagram, where they post not just their content but highlight clubs!

The Hunter College USG is known for supervising all the clubs offered at Hunter. All the clubs are listed on their website and can be looked at any given time. The club list is very diverse, ranging from academic clubs, culture clubs, faith-based clubs, and special interest clubs (Clubs), just to name a few categories one is sure to find something that would interest them.

USG has hosted many events, such as Welcome Week, which took place from August 28th – September 1st, as announced in their email a week of “exciting events to welcome new and returning students and ease you into the academic year” (Re: Ready to kickoff the Fall semester?!). One of the main events that took place was the Club Fair and Carnival, where students were invited to enjoy popcorn, cotton candy, food, and beverages while they met and mingled with other students, as well as learned and interacted with clubs.  Some other services that USG offers are:

  • Student clubs can reserve rooms, such as the game room TH 205, with a capacity of 60 people, conference rooms TH 208 and TH 209, with a capacity of 30 people each room, and TH 105, with a capacity of 40 people, and a computer lab in TH 206. (Clubs)
  • Hunter College also offers G-blast, which is a biweekly email by student government, clubs, and even other staff members that are sent out to all Hunter students. (Clubs)
  • Purple Period Project is back! Where free menstrual products are given on the 3rd floor, North Building 

My personal experiences with Hunter USG was great, I met with Ariadna Pavlidis-Sanchez the Cultural Affairs Commissioner, she is a Roosevelt honors scholar and Grove Fellow, and she is in her junior year. She has been in USG for two years, and she is majoring in Public Health with a minor in Sociology and Human Rights. “As Cultural Affairs Commissioner, she is committed to being accessible, transparent, and communicative with those involved in clubs/student organizations”  (Meet your Representatives), while talking to her I noticed how friendly she was, along with other members I did not meet with. making me feel very welcomed in their office; where one can go and hang out in the lounge area as well as reserve computers. Ariadna was already involved in student government in HS and wanted to see what USG was all about, this year would be her second year being in USG. Ariadna told me that the Hunter Undergraduate Student Government’s main goal is to: make Hunter a better place for everyone; students, faculty, and staff.

 Hunter USG is a great way to get to know the school and find ways that help you get involved by sparking interest in a club, learning and participating at events, or even becoming part of USG. One can check out the application for details to apply for a position, whose campaigns take place from the end of the spring semester throughout the summer.

Categories
About

Hunter College Counseling Services

Image from https://forstudents.commons.gc.cuny.edu/wp-admin/post.php?post=105&action=edit

My purpose in telling you this is not to persuade or convince you to use counseling services. However, I am informing you so you can see how valuable their services are. Let’s go a little deeper. Hunter College Counseling Services is divided into two essential components, which means that Counseling Services has services for dealing with things about college stuff and others for personal issues.

Image from https://hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/

Nevertheless, I will focus on personal issues and how counseling services at Hunter can help us. 

Counseling resources can help find a place where the student can go to find more information and resources according to their needs. There are eight resources that everyone can seek.

Image from https://hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/resources/

Each resource has its own space to navigate more about what you are looking for, and they support you.

In addition, the webpage of Hunter College Counseling Services can help you seek support for a friend, relative, or yourself. 

Suicide Prevention is one of these resources that Counseling Services can help you and others around you, even if they are not a Hunter College student. Suicide Prevention gives you where you can go or communicate with for these situations of suicide. 

For this reason, counseling services at Hunter offer even more than this because they take care of the well-being of the students. The counseling services have more activities for every student who wants to be better with themselves. 

The Workshops that Hunter provides through counseling services have a lot of meetings that incredibly help with personal issues, and there are many, many conferences where a student can evolve and find a solution to their problems. Furthermore, the Guide For Faculty and Staff shows how a student can help other students with the resources Hunter Counseling Services offers everyone who needs them. 4 things are good to know about how we can help others.

Health Promotion and Education offers programs on various topics that are very helpful with personal issues that, as a student, we can struggle with. Many students also have numerous questions about how counseling services work, among others. For that, FAQ is a section by Counseling Services where you can seek your question that is probably that others have also asked before. It means that FAQ has common questions that everyone else asks many times. FAQ gives the students tremendous and credible answers to their doubts about the service. 

Finally, the critical thing about counseling services assistants is how to find them, make an appointment, or contact one of the members. It is easy to find them on the website.

On the contact page, you will find nine members with whom you can dialogue and make an appointment for meetings. Also, you can see the location and office hours available to attend to you and make you feel welcome to the services you seek. 

Hunter College has these tremendous and valuable resources to help students who need counseling. It is good to know that this resource is not for crazy people, as many people said. Otherwise, it is for people who want to improve their self-esteem. An example of this is me. As I said at the beginning while navigating the website of Hunter Counseling Services, I found something that caught my attention, and it will be helpful for me. And if they offer it, why not take advantage or invest time in something that will help me?

References

“Counseling Services: Hunter College.” Hunter College, 28 July 2022, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/. 

“Counseling Resources: Hunter College.” Hunter College, 27 Feb. 2023, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/resources/. 

“Suicide Prevention: Hunter College.” Hunter College, 20 Dec. 2021, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/suicide-prevention/. 

“Guide for Faculty and Staff: Hunter College.” Hunter College, 10 Aug. 2022, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/faculty-staff-guide/. 

“Counseling Services – Contact Us: Hunter College.” Hunter College , 8 Sep. 2023, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/counseling-and-wellness-services/counseling-services/contact/. 

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Hunter College Learning Centers

The Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center

Image that shows students seated in tables in the Dolciani Math Learning Center on the 7th floor of the East Building.
7th floor of the Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center (Hunter College Cooperman Library)

Amidst all of Hunter College’s educational centers in areas ranging from science to foreign language lies the Mary P. Dolciani mathematics learning center (DMLC). The DMLC is located on the 7th floor library of the East Building in Hunter College’s 68th campus. The DMLC offers flexible hours for both online and in-person support and tutoring. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-3:00pm, and Friday from 8:30am-12:00pm. DMLC offers tutoring in any mathematics or statistics course offered at Hunter. If you prefer watching videos or completing practice problems to assess your math learning, the DMLC offers multimedia materials and online workshops on their website, free and available for all Hunter students.

As a freshman I decided to take advantage of Hunter’s in-person tutoring before my first statistics test. To sign up for small group tutoring I made an appointment through the Navigate mobile app. I selected “schedule an appointment,” then selected the type of assistance I wanted and what mathematics course I was enrolled in. From there a list of available dates and times were shown for me to choose from. Once I selected a time suitable for myself, I had the choice whether to meet with a tutor in person or online, (since there may not always be tutoring time slots that are suitable for you, it is best to schedule an appointment as soon as possible before spots are taken). I chose in-person tutoring, but if online tutoring would be more convenient to you, you’d follow the same steps but click on “online tutoring” and afterwards you’ll receive a Zoom link to meet with your tutor on Zoom. (Tutoring – Hunter College). I would definitely recommend in person tutoring because it helped me brush up on topics I hadn’t understood during class and because of this service I was able to earn a good score on my exam. 

If you feel strongly suited in any math or statistics course, you may want to consider a part-time position at the DMLC. The center offers a variety of part-time positions during the fall and spring semesters. A test is required for each set of courses to assess your mathematical abilities and determine what areas you are qualified in to be able to tutor students (Employment – Hunter College). The tutor application can be found in the employment subheading on the DMLC’s website.

The Dolciani mathematics learning center offers Hunter students a vast amount of resources to be able to expand their math knowledge. Their online and in-person services allow anyone to be able to reach out for additional support at their convenience. Taking advantage of the center’s services, listed on their website, and frequently attending tutoring will help you feel prepared and confident in your math abilities so you can start off the semester on the right foot.

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About

Hunter’s Pre-Health Program

Welcome! 

The journey to a career in healthcare can be daunting, but with the right guidance, aspiring healthcare professionals can find their way. Hunter College’s Pre-Health Advising program serves as a guiding light for students pursuing medical, dental, pharmacy, and other health-related fields. In this blog post, we will explore the services and resources offered by Hunter College’s Pre-Health Advising program and highlight the importance of early engagement in pre-health advising.

Hunter's Pre-Health Advisory Room
Hunter College Pre-Health Advising Office in East Room 710

Section 1: The Role of Pre-Health Advising

Pre-health advising is a structured program designed to assist students throughout their academic journey. Its primary goal is to support students in their pursuit of healthcare professions. Here, students can get guidance on essential components like:

  • Selecting the right courses.
  • Engaging in meaningful extracurricular activities.
  • Preparing for standardized tests.

Hunter College provides a wide range of resources for pre-health students, including:

  • Online advising tools.
  • Weekly seminars.
  • Workshops.

To participate in the Pre-Health Program, students need to enroll in and complete the Pre-Health Professions Advising Pathways Program (PPAP), which spans two semesters and involves virtual seminars twice a week. Additionally, students can access valuable guides and resources through Hunter’s pre-health advising website and join the Pre-Med Listserv.

Drop-in advising process, group advising process, and AskPre-Health advising process.
Different types of advising and their differences: Drop-In Advising, Group Advising, and AskPre-Health advising

 

Section 2: Personal Experience with Hunter’s Pre-Health Advising

As a participant in the program, I’ve personally benefited from Hunter College’s Pre-Health Advising. The weekly seminars cover essential topics, helping students plan their academic journey and set long-term goals. What sets these seminars apart is their reflective aspect, which encourages students to internalize and apply the insights gained. These seminars are not just for freshmen but are also beneficial for transfer students and anyone interested in the Pre-Health track.

Importantly, attendance at these seminars is mandatory, emphasizing the program’s commitment to student engagement.

Section 3: The Importance of Early Engagement

Engaging with pre-health advising early is crucial. It allows students to identify gaps in their academic or extracurricular achievements and address them proactively. The benefits of early pre-health advising include:

  • Awareness of required coursework.
  • Encouragement to engage in relevant extracurricular activities.
  • Assistance in building a robust pre-health file, including a committee letter.

The Pre-Health File, maintained by Hunter’s Pre-Health Office, serves as a comprehensive record of a student’s academic and extracurricular achievements. The Committee Letter, endorsed by the Pre-Health Committee, is a valuable document that assesses an applicant’s background, achievements, challenges, and overall readiness for healthcare careers.

Section 4: The Path to Pre-Health Excellence

To summarize the process:

  1. Attend the PPAP 1000 seminar series.
  2. Receive a Pre-Health contract and application.
  3. Attend the PPAP 1002 seminar series to open your Pre-Health file.
  4. Complete a minimum of 12 science credits and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
  5. Fulfill the Pre-Health File Checklist.
  6. Schedule an appointment with Jean Suh through the submission of a Pre-Health File Review Meeting Request. 
Hunter's pre-health file icon
Pre-health file icon

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hunter College’s Pre-Health Advising program is a beacon of hope and guidance for students with dreams of entering the healthcare industry. Its services and resources empower students to navigate the challenging path to healthcare excellence. By actively participating in the program, students equip themselves with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in their pre-health journey.

Thank you for visiting!

References

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About

Using This Site

A guide to using the information provided here

  • Who is this site for? This site is intended for Hunter College students. While many of the services and resources listed are available to all CUNY students, the resources were chosen with Hunter students in mind.
  • Who wrote these posts? The posts were researched and written by first semester Hunter College students. These students were assigned an “essay” in their English 120 class where they were asked to identify, research, and evaluate a resource or service available to Hunter College students.
  • Who updates this page? No one. These posts were researched and written in September 2023, therefore as time goes on information and links may become outdated.

Enjoy learning out all Hunter College and CUNY have to offer!