Siena College

Photo: Siena College. Retrieved from: www.wikipedia.org

Siena College is known for its dedication to student involvement and services. This private school offers students plenty of ways to get involved with student life including athletics, academic, political and community service organizations. The beautiful campus grounds give students the serenity they need to focus on their studies as well as plenty of entertainment both on and off campus as well. The campus grounds at Siena College provide students with all of the essentials and tons of entertainment options as well. Since Siena College is dedicated to encouraging students to push their education to the next level with continuing learning, the school offers a 24-hour computer lab on campus that is accessible to all students.

There is a plethora of opportunity offered at Siena College for students looking for more than just a good education. Siena students actively create, establish and maintain all organizations to that range from special interest groups, activism, student government and of course, performing arts groups. This provides the students with a well balanced assortment of extra-curricular activities that help them develop skills, embrace their talents and absorb the values that will help them excel in the world after graduation.

School History

A relatively new addition to the Liberal Arts colleges, Siena College was founded in 1937, just after the end of the Great Depression and has since built a strong educational foundation for students, offering over 50 majors. With a deep rooted affiliation with the Catholic Franciscan beliefs, the school and faculty offer students a support system that encourages them to learn about different religious beliefs in order to accept the diversity in the world today. The school was founded by Rev. Edmund Gibbons, who was then the Roman Bishop of Albany, the Franciscans of Holy Name Province and Fr. Thomas Plassman. Together, they established the first of now three colleges that form Siena College. The school built the first addition to the college after enrollment became overwhelming in 1938, followed by an additional wing to the building nearly one year later.

Siena College received its permanent charter in 1942.

Although Siena College experienced a tremendous drop in enrollment during World War II and a substantial increase in the amount of students enlisted in the armed forces, the school feared that it would have to close its doors. However, the female students, night classes and non-enlisted males helped keep the doors open until the end of the war when enrollment increased by almost 55%. After this influx, Siena College began building the campus out to accommodate as many students as possible. By the early 1950s, the school had established a library, friary and chapel for the students on campus, as well as additional classroom wings.

Campus Life

Both the staff and faculty of Siena College encourage students to get involved with their education and community, just as the Franciscans had done. The campus grounds provide a variety of programs and student activities that include everything from varsity sports to student government and virtually everything in between. Many students participate in the Student Senate which is operated and maintained solely by the student body, expediting things such as campus activities, student rights and organization schedules. The Franciscan Center for Service & Advocacy provides a support system for students who are in need of academic, personal, medical and legal advice, as well as a centralized office for student volunteers.

The safety of students is of the utmost importance at Siena College. Students can find an array of different support systems and services available right on campus grounds such as the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women, Services for Students with Disabilities and the Sexual Violence Prevention website as well. Faculty and staff members are always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to students in need of help, support and guidance for any reason.

Students who chose to live on campus have plenty of resources to turn to. The Office of Residential Life is available throughout the year to assist students in housing arrangements, accommodations and placement. Siena College offers students the option to live in one of the residence halls, special living areas or the summer housing complexes. Dinning services are available throughout the day to serve students as well. There are plenty of involvement opportunities available at Siena College including but never limited to resident assistance programs.

Financial Aid

Siena College understands that it can be difficult for student to pay for school on their own. This school shows the utmost dedication to helping students obtain financial aid for each semester. Offering several options for aid relief, Siena College accepts all types of student loans including NYS Tuition Assistance Program and NYS Higher Education Opportunity Program as well. In addition, Siena College also offers a wide variety of scholarship types including athletic, endowed and merit based. Need based grants are available on a case by case basis.

Siena College has always been attentive to the financial needs of students as they live through their college years. Faculty, counselors and staff are available throughout the year to assistance students in choosing the most beneficial financial aid available to them and even help with the application process.