This is a work-in-progress. You can help us to improve it by adding your own tips and hints for next year’s students. To make suggestions, please email the HGSO at hgso.ualbany@gmail.com.
STUDYING
Libraries and Research
BORROWING BOOKS FROM OTHER AREA LIBRARIES:
The Capital District Library Council offers a Direct Access Program to check out materials from Union College, Russell Sage College, and many other academic and public libraries in the Capital District. Simply ask for a DAP card at the University Library’s circulation desk.
Note: some institutions will impose limits on how many books you can check out at one time, and some will not send overdue notices. UAlbany will not send you an overdue notice, either–it will simply put a hold on your account.
The New York State Library does not participate in this program, however they have recently extended their borrowing priviledges to NYS residents. For information on obtaining a NYSL Borrower's Card, visit their website by clicking here.
Quiet Study Area
You can reserve a study carrel at the University library for your use. If you'd like a quiet place to study, the library offers closed study carrels and lockers for graduate students. Carrels provide a quiet environment in close proximity to research materials. Lockers provide a secure storage place for personal materials. Because carrel and locker space is not adequate to meet the requests of our University community, we provide access to these facilities for limited periods. Carrels and lockers are assigned annually for a one-year period, starting on September 15 of each year. All carrel and locker assignments expire August 31 of the following year. Upon application, individuals are eligible for a one-year renewal. Renewals are not automatically granted. Carrels and lockers not in continuous use by the assignees will be reassigned. Study carrels are assigned to faculty and doctoral candidates with priority given to persons conducting dissertation research. Two people are assigned to each of the 56 locked carrels.
Internet Resources
Two invaluable internet resources for research: JSTOR and Project Muse. These electronic journal storage facilities house full-text versions of dozens of journals from a broad variety of academic disciplines. Both JSTOR and Project Muse are easily searchable and are a great way to find book reviews and articles.
For JSTOR, click here.
For Project Muse, click here.
Note: These are subscription services. If you are using these clearinghouses off-campus, you might have to access the site via the University Libaries website, and provide your UNIX IDand password for verification purposes. If so, click here, and search for "JSTOR" or "Project Muse" in the title box. When promted, provide your ID and password, and you should have access. If you have problems, contact University Libraries.
The University Library also offers a host of searchable databases at its website, including abc-clio, Lexis-Nexis, and America: History and Life. To learn more about the electronic journals and databases, take one of the library’s free introductory classes. They are brief and to-the-point and will save you many frustrating hours of fruitless searching.
Buying Books
The campus bookstore is not always your best bet. There are many alternatives, such as amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. But there are also several good new and used bookstores in the Albany area. These bookstores stock a variety of scholarly books at grad student prices. They do not stock multiple copies of course readings, but you might find assigned books on their shelves.
Dove and Hudson Books
296 Hudson Avenue (at the intersection of Dove and Hudson, one block east of Lark Street)
518-432-4518
Bryn Mawr Book Shop
215 Lark Street (close to the intersection of Lark and State Street)
518-465-8126
For course materials, you can try Mary Jane Books at 215 Western Ave (465-2238). This bookstore stocks multiple copies of assigned course materials, usually at lower prices than the campus bookstore. Do not go there, though, if you want to escape the lines. Mary Jane’s will be just as busy during book rush.
For used books on the internet, try:
Alibris
Abebooks.com
Half.com
At these sites you can often find used, clean, unmarked (be sure to ask if they are before you order) hardcover books for less than the price of a new paperback.
RELAXING
Modestly Priced Restaurants
The list below is not exhaustive. Albany is a city of many restaurants, and trying something new can be fun. The following suggestions will get you started. You can get a good meal for less than $10.00 at all of them (you will sometimes pay a little more if you have beer, wine, and/or dessert). With the exception of the meat-oriented Sutter's and the all-vegetarian Shades of Green, all of them are good for veggies and carnivores alike. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are not served.
Bombers Burrito Bar
258 Lark Street
518-463-9636
Burritos and related fare. If you like spicy food, be sure to say so--Bombers' food generally walks on the mild side.
Bountiful Bread
Stuyvesant Plaza (at the corner of Western Avenue and Fuller Road)
518-438-3540
Excellent selection of breads, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
El Loco Mexican Cafe
465 Madison Avenue (between Lark and Willett Streets)
518-436-1855
Good Mexican and Tex-Mex food, ranging from mildly spiced to wildly hot. Nice beer selection.
Gandhi Indian Restaurant
1 Central Avenue (on corner of Central and Lark Street)
518-449-5577
Tasty, basic Indian fare, presented appealingly.
Metro 20 Diner
1709 Western Avenue (about 1 mile west of the uptown campus)
518-456-3876
Classic American fare, some Greek specialties, and desserts to die for. If you're trying to please
everyone in your group or just need some comfort food, the Metro 20 is a good choice.
Shalimar
31 Central Avenue
518-434-0890
Opinion is divided on this Indian restaurant - some people love it; others say it's not so great. It is an Albany institution.
Sutter's Mill & Mining Co.
1200 Western Avenue (across the street from the Western Avenue entrance to the Uptown Campus)
518-489-4910
Great burgers, bar food, and beer to wash it down. The music can be loud and the crowd a bit raucous, but it's a nice place to relax.
Uncommon Grounds
1235 Western Avenue (in the strip mall a few hundred yards east of the Western Avenue entrance to the uptown campus)
518-453-5649
A popular hangout for faculty and grad students alike. Lots of coffee, the biggest bagels in town, and great soup and sandwiches.
STUDENT LIFE
Safety on campus
Blue Light System:
Blue Light Telephones are located all around the University grounds. They can be found in parking lots, women’s rest rooms, dorm buildings, on the academic podium, and along roadways. They are easily recognized by the blue light just above the phone box. In an emergency, open the phone box, pick up the phone, and talk to the University Police Dispatcher on the line. Even if a caller does not speak, a response from the University Police to that phone will be initiated once the receiver is lifted from the phone. These phones may also be used to request a safety escort.
Don’t Walk Alone:
Don't Walk Alone Safety Escort Service is a volunteer safety escort service that operates Sunday-Thursday nights, 7-11 PM, except during the summer and during University recesses. Escorts are based in the library lobby of the uptown campus. You can either meet the escorts at their station or call 442-5511 and two escorts, preferably a male and a female, will walk you wherever you need to go on the uptown campus. Don't Walk Alone Safety Escort Service escorts wear purple jackets and carry flashlights and walkie-talkies to call University Police if necessary. During the hours that Don’t Walk Alone does not operate, you can call the University Police for a safety escort.
Counseling Services
Consultation regarding student-related issues is available to all members of the University community. Educational programs and workshops are offered by the Center to students, faculty, and staff. The Counseling Center’s clinical staff are psychologists. Graduate students from the Clinical and Counseling Psychology programs also provide services under the direction of clinical staff.
Private Entrance: North side of the Health and Counseling Services Building to the second floor.
Reception Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday (academic year); 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday (summer). The Center maintains confidential records which are separate from official University educational records.
Phone: 442-5800.
Discounts on travel
The Student Advantage Card is a nice resource that allows you to get good discounts on car rentals, airfare, train fare and bus fare. You can also get discounts at participating chain stores. The card also includes an ATT calling card that you do not have to activate. If you choose the feature, calls are $0.20 per minute. To find out more about the Student Advantage Card, or to enroll, check their website at studentadvantage.com.
Out-of-state students
If you are an out-of-state graduate assistant, you must establish New York State residency in your first year to continue full tuition payment for succeeding years. If you’re not a grad assistant, you can still qualify for in-state tuition after your first year. Here’s what you need to do as soon as you can after arriving on campus:
1. Get a New York State driver’s license right away (look in the phone book for the closest Motor Vehicle office).
2. Register to vote in New York (can be done when you get your driver’ license).
3. Register your car in New York (do this right away, too).
4. Change your mailing address with the Registrar.
5. Establish a bank account at a New York bank.
6. File a New York State tax return.
You’ll need to do these things as soon as possible to prove that you have had your primary residence in New York for the twelve months before re-enrolling. At the end of your first year, get a residency application from the Office of Student Accounts (Campus Center) and file it right away.
Valuable Web Resources
H-Grad is an electronic network for graduate students around the world, providing graduate students with a safe, graduate student only forum for discussing a wide variety of issues related to graduate school in our chosen humanities-based professions. For more information, visit www.h-net.org/~grad.
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