SUNY Canton Welcomes New and Returning Students for Fall 2021

SUNY Canton is a hub of activity on its first day of classes (Thursday, August 26).

A completely renovated building, expanded student life options and a bespoke residence hall all welcomed students for the fall 2021 semester.

“The campus is buzzing with activity,” said SUNY Canton Provost Peggy A. De Cooke. “It’s truly wonderful to see people again, especially our students.”

As of today, the college has approximately 1,100 incoming students, including first-year, transfer, and those who have attended college but who have not earned a degree, with a total enrollment of around 2,900. The college is actively recruiting residents from St. Lawrence County and the surrounding areas who have taken some classes who may have paused their academics to start a family or a career.

“One of the opportunities for growth that we are uniquely positioned to address is engaging non-traditional student populations,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran in his annual state-of-the-campus address. “Our mission has always been to produce graduates with the applied learning that makes them ready to meet the needs of our regional and state economy. Now more than ever, a four-year SUNY Canton degree can help people position themselves to become the area’s best employees and entrepreneurs.”

Traditional on-campus residential students have a slew of opportunities for fun during the “Best Year Ever” initiative. Daily activities so far have included outside games and social gatherings held with the Student Activities Involvement and Leadership Office and the Ready Center.

Dazzling Dana

SUNY Canton’s former athletic center, Dana Hall, has reopened as the new home of the Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity. The building underwent a multi-year $10 million renovation and now includes state-of-the-art classroom spaces, a crime-processing laboratory, practice interrogation rooms, and a new student common area. The historic Dana Hall gym is currently being used as the college’s COVID testing site but will soon be open for recreational and intramural sports.

Esports Enthusiasm

The college just opened a brand-new Esports Wing for its substantial population of video game enthusiasts. Approximately 70 students are living in 35 double-occupancy rooms designed with gaming in mind. Each room features loft-style beds with large desks located beneath. The common area is home to a circular 10-person gaming station, which can be used for official and independent gameplay.

COVID Caution

SUNY Canton is testing everyone on campus for COVID-19 during the first week of classes, regardless of vaccination status. Following the initial testing cycle, vaccinated individuals will be tested bi-weekly, and unvaccinated individuals will be tested weekly through SUNY Upstate Medical.

On Monday, August 23, SUNY announced that all students must be vaccinated to attend classes in-person corresponding with the FDA authorization of the Pfizer vaccine. The Davis Health Center has partnered with St. Lawrence County Public Health to offer Pfizer vaccines from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, in the Dana Hall gym, which is free and open to all SUNY Canton students and employees.

Masks, or face coverings, are currently required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status. The requirement includes classrooms, laboratories, at the Davis Health Center, as spectators at indoor athletic events, and in any areas where they are around other people. Masks are not required outside but are strongly recommended. The college hopes to revisit this requirement if cases decline in the county and in the state.