By Sophie Albertie
Clinton Community College is fully operational and offering classes on SUNY Plattsburgh’s main campus after being relocated August 25.
Clinton Community College officially announced its plan to move onto campus January 2024 due to issues with its Middle States Accreditation.
Redcay Hall has since been vacated and renamed to George Moore hall. Additionally the former Canadian Studies home of operations is now used as a space for Clinton’s administrative offices and faculty.
Now, a year and a half later, this new collaboration between the two universities brings a mixed bag of reviews.
Dr. Tracie Guzzio, director of the Redcay Honors Program, said that she feels concerned about faculty and students who could feel left in the dark by this transition. As a professor, she said it’s her job on campus to help all students find answers to any questions they may have, but isn’t fully informed herself.
“I have colleagues in some of the offices in Redcay that had to move out quickly, and of course that was unsettling for them, and they weren’t extremely happy about it,” Guzzio said. “It becomes disruptive for students who don’t know where the offices are now. I think this is how this conversation started in the first place. I don’t like feeling as if I can’t help a student who’s in distress.”
Bridget Haina, the current Faculty Senate Chair, said that she is aware of the concerns coming from new students who are looking for guidance. She is pushing for more information about SUNY Plattsburgh’s shared services to be made available. She argues that it’s best not to assume that students and faculty will be negatively impacted, and instead should be hopeful that leaders on campus will address concerns to the best of their ability.
“A lot has happened since we got that announcement that they were going to relocate. People were concerned from the get-go that students would try to cheat the system or find the best deal because Clinton Community classes are more affordable, but Clinton isn’t poaching our students, I think that’s a perception that people have had in the past,” Haina said.
When it comes to the future, Haina is optimistic about the possible outcomes this newfound relationship will have.
“I’d love to see more students gain the confidence to achieve a bachelor’s degree especially in this North Country area that has so much potential. Most of our students don’t come from this area, but we have seen a huge amount of growth. Ultimately we can help people see how education can change and uplift their lives,” Haina said. “This relationship we have with Clinton Community is giving this place such an opportunity. If we just give ourselves grace and time to understand this transition, we can do some really good work together.”
