A refurbished Dana Hall will be open for students to enjoy this fall semester. The two-year capital project features new state-of-the-art classrooms, a crime processing laboratory, student lounge areas, and locker rooms for the college’s signature criminal justice program. Dana Hall will also house the Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity Center (CJIC).

North Country This Week

CANTON - When students return to SUNY Canton on Thursday, Aug. 26, for the start of the fall semester, the campus scene will be quite similar to the 2019 academic year.

SUNY Canton will be returning with full in-person instruction while following all local, state SUNY and federal guidelines.

“The renewed emphasis on face-to-face instruction reintroduces the college’s commitment to a quality hands-on education,” said Gregory Kie, senior media relations manager. 

The gyms, eateries and library will all be open to the public and the Office of Admissions is welcoming prospective students and their families for tours. The pool is currently closed.

To promote enrollment, the college recently launched its “Best Year Ever” initiative with many on-campus events and activities in the works.

This initiative will include a robust series of student life options. The Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership office has scheduled events for nearly every day during August and September. Activities will include a climbing wall, roller and ice skating, laser tag, karaoke, outdoor movies, bumper cars, and a guest comedian.

To date, neither SUNY Canton nor SUNY are requiring vaccination for faculty, staff and students, although college officials are strongly encouraging students to get the vaccine before college starts.

“If or when the FDA fully approves one or more of the vaccines currently under emergency authorization, students will required to be vaccinated SUNY wide,” Kie noted.

Despite the return to in-person instruction, the college will maintain its online programming. Prior to the pandemic, 30 percent of students enrolled in of the college’s 23 online programs and almost every student took at least one online class.

The college’s most popular four-year program, Healthcare Management, is offered entirely online.

“SUNY Canton is a leader in online programming,” said Kie. “SUNY Canton will be continuing to serve as a remote option for students.”

Another highlight of the new school year will be the reopening of Dana Hall. The multi-year capital project created new state-of-the-art classrooms, a crime processing laboratory, student lounge areas, and locker rooms for the college’s signature criminal justice program.

Dana Hall will now house the Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity Center (CJIC).

“Dana Hall’s alumni gym has reopened and students will be able to use it during the fall semester,” said Kie.

The building will also house the University Police Department. The David Sullivan-St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy and the SUNY Canton Corrections Academy will both have dedicated spaces as part of the CJIC.

The State of the Campus address and the first faculty assembly will take place Tuesday, Aug. 24. Returning students will be checking into residence halls on Wednesday, Aug. 25.