Academic Facilities
Fine and Performing Arts Facilities
Student Life Facilities, Programs, and Services
The Leonard Lief Library is housed in a modern, four-story building, with an online catalog and circulation system (CUNY+) and access to over 65 networked electronic periodical indexes and full-text databases. More than 150 state-of-the-art computer workstations are available for student use, most with full Internet access. The Library's home page (www.lehman.edu/provost/library/index.htm) provides links to CUNY+, licensed electronic resources, and websites of interest to researchers. These electronic resources are available to the Lehman community from off-campus as well as on-campus locations. All that is required is an Internet connection and a currently validated Lehman College I.D.
The open-stacks book collection of 572,000 volumes is supplemented by 713,500 microforms and a growing collection of 5,391 films and videotapes. The Library subscribes to 1,535 print periodicals and over 13,000 electronic journals. It is a designated depository for State and Federal government documents. The Library collection supports course work on undergraduate and graduate levels. Interlibrary loan and electronic document delivery are available to support research by graduate students and faculty.
In addition to general and specialized non-circulating reference collections, the Library has a well-used reserve collection that includes current textbooks. Specialized service areas include a periodicals room, laboratory classrooms equipped with audiovisual and computer equipment, and the Bronx History Archives. The Library's state-of-the-art computer labs are used both as classrooms for research training and as open labs providing students with access to the Internet, word processing, and spreadsheets. The Fine Arts Collection contains an extensive collection of records, music, and multimedia C.D.s, as well as audiotapes and videotapes that can be studied and enjoyed at individual carrels equipped with headphones and video monitors. The Education Library contains K-12 curriculum materials, the ERIC microfiche collection, a special teaching collection of children's books, and computer workstations. The Assistive Technology Center, located on the second floor, provides a variety of specialized computer services available to all.
Reference librarians and student tutors are available to assist students during library hours. Librarians offer, by appointment and on a drop-in basis, class orientations and bibliographic instruction covering the most important research tools in all areas of the curriculum. Students may register for free workshops in a variety of computer applications.
The Library can seat 1,200 people; attractive lounge areas are scattered throughout the building. A limited number of private study rooms are available for small groups of students who wish to study together. Admission to the Library requires a currently validated Lehman College I.D. Library hours may be obtained by calling 718-960-7766.
The College has established a Division for Information Technology, which oversees the development of I.T. infrastructure and the coordination of I.T. operations and services across the campus. I.T. support for students, staff, and faculty is coordinated through the Technology Coordinators in different divisions and a College-wide I.T. support group in the Department of Information Technology Resources (I.T.R), and provided by a team of computer and network specialists in specialized department labs, divisional offices, and the centralized I.T.R facilities.
I.T.R. provides access to centralized computing and related technologies in support of the College's instructional, research, and administrative activities. Lehman's Information Technology Center (I.T.C) is located on the plaza level of Carman Hall. The facility houses nine PC and Macintosh computer labs for course instructions, an open lab with over 100 computers for student use, shared printing facilities, multimedia meeting or conference rooms, and a help desk. A dedicated faculty development lab, also managed by I.T.R, is located in the Library.
The entire I.T.C. facility is networked on a high-speed backbone providing access to the Internet and campus network services, including electronic mail, the World Wide Web, and web-based applications, such as the CUNY Portal and its related resources and services; the Blackboard online teaching and learning environment; online course registration and the CUNY Student Information Management System (S.I.M.S.); and remote library and specialized departmental resources. Wireless access to the network is also available throughout the campus. The facility supports two-way interactive video distribution. Access from off-campus is available for many of these resources through an Internet service provider.
Facilities for video conferencing and distance learning are expanding. They include a distance learning satellite broadcast and reception studio/classroom under the auspices of H.E.T.S. (the Hispanic Educational Telecommunications System, of which Lehman College is a founding member); a high-speed video distance learning classroom connected to EdNet (part of New York City's institutional network) and the three public high schools adjacent to Lehman; and a distance-learning classroom with smart whiteboard presentation and video conferencing capabilities (created under the University's Media Distribution System).
Lehman's role as the central hub of the Bronx Information Network also affords Lehman students an opportunity to take advantage of the resources of other educational, medical, and artistic institutions in the Bronx. A systematic effort is the under way to convert many of the College's lecture halls and classrooms into technology-enhanced or smart classrooms.
I.T.R makes available specialized equipment for disabled students. All rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities, and specialized hardware and software for visually or hearing-impaired persons are provided. Students and staff may also use the facilities of the Assistive Technology Center, located in the Library.
Other specialized services and facilities include graphic and scanning services and a media conversion lab to assist faculty in developing electronic-based course materials. I.T.R staff members provide consulting, documentation, technical assistance, and educational services to the Lehman community.
The Media Technology Group of I.T.R, also housed in Carman Hall, provides equipment and technical aids for the production of media presentations using photography, graphics, films, and slides. A new multimedia technology center opened in 2008. Video and multimedia facilities augment traditional audiovisual services.
In addition to the centralized facilities, individual academic divisions or departments operate computer labs to support discipline-specific application,s such as a graphics-based computer lab and a 3-D printing facility in the Department of Anthropology; three Computer Graphics and Imaging Labs in the Department of Art; a cutting-edge Laboratory of Geographic Information Technologies in the Department of Environmental, Geographic, and Geological Sciences; a multimedia language laboratory in the Department of Languages and Literatures; multiple facilities for radio, television, and film productions in the Department of Journalism, Communication, and Theatre; and specialized computer labs in the Division of Education, the Division of Adult and Continuing Education, and the Departments of Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Nursing, and Sociology and Social Work. The Library, the Academic Support Center, the Science Learning Center, the Macaulay Honors College at Lehman, and the Student Leader Computer Center also have significant computer resources available.
Students may request information about I.T. resources and services, including I.T.C hours of operation and technical assistance, by phoning 718-960-7333, sending e-mail to helpdesk@lehman.cuny.edu, or visiting the I.T.R Open Center (Carman Hall, Room 111) or the I.T.R website at www.lehman.edu/itr.
The Department of Languages and Literatures has one multimedia language laboratory. This computer lab is one of the most technologically advanced computer labs in the CUNY system. The laboratory, which is located in Carman Hall, Room B-37, has twenty-eight networked computers and software programs that correspond to the texts used to study the languages taught at Lehman. The computers in this laboratory have high-speed connection to the Internet, sound cards, headsets, C.D./D.V.D. players, and microphones. In addition, a set of special software programs from Tandberg is installed: Imperata, Divace Solo, and Library Pilot.
These computers are also linked to a digital video server; students can study from the language software stored on the server and digitally record their voices for oral and audio practice. Accommodation is provided for visually impaired and disabled students. Zoomtext, used to magnify text, is installed on one computer. The software Jaws, used by blind individuals, is installed on one computer. One computer station is designed to accommodate an individual using a wheelchair.
The Art Department, in conjunction with Lehman's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has established three advanced imaging labs in the Fine Arts building. One lab (in Fine Arts, Room 047) contains twenty up-to-date Mac work stations with new Epson Flatbed Scanners, a Nikon Supercool Film/Slide Scanner, and a Xerox 7700 color printer. A second lab (in Fine Arts, Room 006) contains fifteen Mac work stations with epson flatbed scanners. These teaching labs give the students the opportunity to learn digital imaging, desktop publishing, webpage design, computer animation, advanced 3-D modeling, and multimedia interactive programming. In addition, a third lab (in Fine Arts, Room 006), dedicated to advanced student and faculty digital imaging, contains several Macintosh G5 computers and printers and additional high-end digital imaging and large-format printing equipment.
Significant research and training facilities are available in the Lehman science departments.
In the Department of Biological Sciences, the Phytochemistry Laboratory is a newly renovated facility in Davis Hall (Room 119). It is fully equipped with instruments used for the identification and purification of natural products, including a gas chromatograph, high-performance liquid chromatographs (H.P.L.C.), and a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (L.C.-M.S.). The Molecular Biology Research Facility contains sophisticated instrumentation for molecular biology, cellular biology, and biochemical research. The equipment includes a D.N.A. synthesizer, H.P.L.C.s, ultracentrifuges, high-speed centrifuges, phosphorim ager, scanning spectrophotometers, electrophoresis systems for a protein and nucleic acid analysis and D.N.A. sequencing, and computers for integration with the instrumentation. Bioimaging facilities include a confocal microscope, fluorescence microscopes, and scanning and transmission microscopes. There is a recently built research greenhouse, as well as an older greenhouse, and an animal-care facility.
A Biological Sciences Computer Center opened in 2003 with funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the State of New York. The laboratory is integrated into the research instruments in the Biological Sciences Department and enables students to learn how to operate state-of-the-art scientific instruments. The Center has real-time videoconferencing capabilities to allow faculty to incorporate research results and access the Internet while teaching courses.
Noteworthy research equipment and facilities in the Department of Chemistry include nuclear, magnetic, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometers, uv-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometers, gas and high-pressure liquid mass-spectrometer-interfaced chromatographs, teaching and research labs, and a student computing facility.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is conducting cutting-edge research in nanoscience, quantum optics, and string theory. Undergraduate and graduate students are involved in research that is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Department of Anthropology houses extensive human and primate osteologic and fossil cast collections. A computer graphics-based student laboratory, established with a National Science Foundation grant, lets students access these collections for virtual study and research. The Department also houses the Metropolitan Forensic Anthropology Team, which advises regional Medical Examiners' offices on cases involving unidentified human remains.
All these departments and researchers have easy access to the academic computing facilities at the College as well as the mainframe computer at the City University Computer Center.
The Instructional Support Services Program (I.S.S.P.) is dedicated to facilitating the academic development of Lehman students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Program provides tutoring, workshops, and additional resources to support classroom learning. The I.S.S.P. provides instructional support through the Academic Center for Excellence (A.C.E.), located in the Old Gym Building, Room 205, and the Science Learning Center (S.L.C.), located in Gillet Hall, Room 133. For more information, visit www.lehman.edu/issp.
Under an agreement with CUNY, a number of staff members of the New York Botanical Garden offer courses in Lehman's Department of Biological Sciences. This arrangement makes specialized material, equipment, and collections available to Lehman students and provides facilities for research under exceptionally favorable conditions. The Museum of the Botanical Garden contains a library of about 65,000 volumes; a herbarium with some three million specimens, which provides excellent opportunities for research in taxonomy, ecology, and phytogeography; and special rooms for the cryptogamic collections. The collection of living plants on the grounds and in the greenhouses provides a wealth of material, with approximately 12,000 species represented.
The Bookstore, located on campus between Davis and Carman Halls, provides the required faculty-chosen textbooks and related course materials. It also carries a large line of academic software, a comprehensive trade section of general interest books, and school supplies. The College community may shop for compact discs, select remainder books on sale at up to seventy percent off list price, and purchase Lehman apparel and other products, including snacks, candies, sundries, and soda. Items in the Bookstore are also available for purchase online at www.lehmanbookstore.com.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts' 2,310-seat Concert Hall is the borough's premier performance space. Critics have called it "acoustically perfect." With a modern 2,400-square foot stage and an hydraulic orchestra pit, the Center presents outstanding classical, popular, and folk/ethnic dance, music, and theatre companies from around the world. Special, culturally diverse Community Celebrations enhance the Center's offerings. The Center has also served as the site of numerous public programs and debates of national interest. Lehman students are offered discounted tickets for most events, as well as opportunities to work as ushers and apprentice stagehands. Examples of artists who have recently performed at the Center include: El Gran Combo, Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Cliff, Trinity Irish Dance Company, Nickelodeon's Blues Clues Live, and the gospel musical "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God."
Lehman Stages is a performance and rehearsal facility at Lehman College, comprised of the Lovinger Theatre, the Studio Theatre, the Student Experimental Theatre (or "S.E.T."), and the Dance Lab @ Lehman. Part of the Bronx for over two decades, the facilities that comprise Lehman Stages have served as an invaluable cultural resource for the Bronx and the larger New York City community. Lehman Stages is dedicated to the creation and presentation of performing arts programming of all disciplines, with a special focus on education and cultural diversity. Lehman Stages aspires to be an artistic touchstone for emerging artists of all backgrounds and a training facility for the College's theatre and dance program. The facilities also provide low-cost rehearsal, performance, and conference space for arts, civic, and government organizations throughout the metropolitan area.
The Music Building houses a 150-seat Recital Hall, which is used by music students and music faculty members throughout the academic year. There are also individual practice rooms for music students, as well as larger rehearsal halls for groups such as the Community Band and Lehman College Community Chorus. Many recitals are given at noontime in the Recital Hall and attended by the public during the lunch hour. The Lehman College Chamber Players, the Lehman College Jazz Ensemble, and the Lehman College Brass Ensemble are among the groups performing noon-time concerts.
The Lehman College Art Gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building, designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer. The Gallery presents innovative contemporary art in two striking exhibition spaces. Education is an integral component of exhibition programming and provides the basis for the Gallery's outreach--from young students to senior citizens. New technologies offer a means of reaching audiences internationally as well as locally and provide creative new venues for artists. The Gallery's website, featuring Bronx Public Art, highlights an extraordinary collection of public art from the W.P.A. to contemporary projects.
The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs (Shuster Hall, Room 206) is concerned with all aspects of student life and provides numerous services for Lehman undergraduates, from orientation for incoming students to arranging the College's annual commencement.
The Office is available to assist students with academic and personal issues, as well as to advise student organizations and extracurricular groups. Specialized counselors advise students on questions regarding financial aid (Shuster Hall, Room 136, phone 718-960-8545); personal issues (Old Gym Building, Room 114, 718-960-8761); and job placement, part-time work opportunities, and other career-related matters (Shuster Hall, Room 254, 718-960-8366). Other services are provided through the Registrar's Office, the International Students Office, the Center for Special Student Services, the Student Health Center, and the Child Care Center.
The APEX is a $57 million recreation and sports facility that provides 165,000 square feet of multidimensional, multipurpose space. It houses the College's intercollegiate and intramural athletics program, as well as classrooms and dance studios for the academic program in dance theatre.
The chief attraction of the APEX—a 50-meter, eight-lane swimming pool—has provided a new level of opportunity for the sport of competitive swimming in the metropolitan area. It is used for both national and international athletic competitions, while also supporting Lehman's many academic, recreation, intramural, and community outreach activities.
The APEX has two gymnasiums, one for intercollegiate athletics with a seating capacity of 1,350, and the other for recreational and intramural use. Other key features of the building include: four racquetball courts, free weight room, cardiovascular fitness center, a training room, an equipment room with laundry facilities, saunas, locker rooms, dance and ballet studios, and an indoor running track.
The College also has five outdoor tennis courts and soccer, softball, and baseball fields. Alumni, College staff, and community members as well as Lehman students may use athletic facilities in accordance with College rules and regulations.
Lehman College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III, the City University of New York Athletic Conference, the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association, the Metropolitan Collegiate Swimming Association, and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Students are encouraged to join athletic teams, many of which participate in local league competition. Standards for participation and rules governing the sports are those of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and various local and district conferences. The eligibility requirements for Lehman College are as follows:
Competition is held in the following: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. In addition there is conference, regional, and national championship competition in all intercollegiate programs. City University championship tournaments are conducted in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
The intramural program provides a wide variety of activities of a competitive and recreational nature in which students, staff, and faculty may participate. Organized activities are scheduled throughout the year in men's, women's, and coeducational teams. These are conducted during free hours on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. Supervised recreational facilities are made available as often as possible for informal use by the Lehman College community. The following intramural activities are available: basketball, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The Intramural-Recreation Office is located in Room 253 of the APEX.
Supervised hours for recreation within the APEX pool, fitness center, auxiliary gym, aerobics room, and racquetball courts are provided as often as possible for informal use by faculty, staff, and students. The schedule for these facilities varies somewhat from semester to semester and may be obtained in Room 251, APEX. The APEX is open Mondays through Fridays during the academic year from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. On Saturday, the building is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Students may use the APEX free of charge; for others, a yearly membership fee is required. Additional information and use schedules are available in Room 251 or by calling 718-960-1117.
The Office of Campus Life, located in the Student Life Building, implements a comprehensive student development program that complements the academic experience. Programs include an annual Leadership Development Retreat for student officers, a Community Service Fair, and biannual blood drives, as well as special interest seminars and receptions.
The Office also serves as a resource for all student clubs funded through the student activity fee. In association with C.A.S.A. (Campus Association for Student Activities) and the Programming Board, the Office promotes thematic programs such as Black History Month, Women's History Month, and Latino Heritage Month. Activities within these programs range from concerts to poetry readings. Staff of the Office are available to all matriculated students who might be interested in existing or new student clubs.
The Student Life Building is a two-story facility that contains thirty-two student club offices, the campus radio station WHLC, and other facilities. Adjacent to the south baseball field, the building is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays. Matriculating students are welcome to use the game room, TV room, student lounge, or conference rooms. On the upper level, a copying/ fax service is available to all members of the Lehman community. Student club members are also free to use the computer resources for creating club posters and announcements. A wireless network and laptop rental program is available to registered students.
The Student Cafeteria's contract operator offers food and catering services to the Lehman College community. Hot and cold dishes are available at moderate prices from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Schedules vary when class is not in session. Current schedules may be obtained by calling 718-960-1175.
The main student cafeteria, in the lower level of the Music Building, has a seating capacity of 800. A café is located in Carman Hall and serves fast food and casual meal items. The hours of operation for the café are the same as those of the student cafeteria. For the convenience of students, a varied selection of vending machines is also available both in the Carman Hall Café and the Student Cafeteria.
The Career Services Center (Room 254, Shuster Hall, 718-960-8366) assists students in preparing for the realities of the workplace and acquiring employment after graduation. Through its computerized online listings and postings, students have access to full-time positions in private, public, and non-profit organizations. The Center also provides students with expanded services through its state-of-the-art computer lab, which includes interactive career assessment programs and online information systems.
The Career Services Center offers individual career counseling, job readiness workshops (résumé writing, interviewing, job search strategies), job referrals, internship opportunities, and on-campus recruitment activities with various employers.
Located in Room 136 of Shuster Hall, the Office of Financial Aid assists students with all aspects of financing their education, including planning and meeting the expenses associated with attending the College. Information is available on financial assistance programs and on how to maintain eligibility for Federal, State, and City award programs. Financial Aid professionals will work closely with students and their families to put the cost of a Lehman education within reach.
The Office also provides students with expanded services through a computer lab, located in Shuster Hall, Room 131. Students may use the lab to access and complete various online financial aid-related applications. For more detailed information, visit www.lehman.cuny.edu/financialaid.
The Speech and Hearing Center provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to members of the Lehman community and the surrounding region who have hearing or speech-language problems. Services are delivered by graduate-student clinicians under the close supervision of speech language pathologists and audiologists who are certified by A.S.H.A. (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and licensed by New York State.
Located in the Speech and Theatre Building, the Center is well equipped to deliver a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinic operates during the academic year. Students test hypotheses on the patient population, as well as develop diagnostic and therapeutic skills. The clinic has units for individual and group therapy, and facilities for student research. Devices for assisting the hearing impaired are available for evaluative purposes.
The Student Health Center is located in the T-3 Building, Room 118. The center offers a wide range of services, including: primary and acute care and treatment, urgent care, women's health services, required and elective immunizations, and annual, athletic, and job physicals. Basic laboratory services and pharmaceuticals are also available. Health awareness outreach is a key focus.
The Student Health Center is supported by the student activity fee and, therefore, most services are free or are offered at a significantly reduced cost.
Office hours during the academic year are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A mid-level practitioner is available at all times. Students with valid I.D.s may use the services of the Center on an appointment basis. Sick walk-in patients are accommodated. For additional information and appointments, call 718-960-8900.
Individual counseling services and group workshops are available to all undergraduate and graduate students. Trained professionals and peer counselors offer confidential assistance with personal obstacles to growth, including difficulties with academic performance; anxiety; time and stress management; depression; family and relationship problems; disordered eating; substance abuse and alcoholism; and other issues of everyday life. Day or evening appointments may be arranged by contacting the Counseling Center at 718-960-8761 or by visiting the Center (Old Gym Building, Room 114).
The Lehman College Child Care Center is located in the T-3 Building, Room 115. It has two spacious classrooms and a well-designed, enclosed outdoor play area. The Center is licensed by the New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Day Care, and accredited for over ten years by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Childcare services during the day are provided for two-to-five-year-olds.
Evening programs for children aged five to nine are available to parents attending evening classes at Lehman. Students enrolled in Saturday classes may enroll their four-to nine-year-old children in the Center's Saturday program. Enrollment is based on available spaces and dated applications from a waiting list. The Center has also begun a Sunday program for parents taking classes or involved in other campus activities, such as tutoring or study groups.
Students interested in additional information about the Center, including current rates for full-time and part-time childcare, as well as for the after-school and weekend programs, should call 718-960-8746 for more information.
The Office of Special Student Services provides accommodations to Lehman students who provide documentation of a disability. The services include, but are not limited to: advocacy and advisement, assistance during registration, individual test administration, library assistance, tutoring and note-taking, provision of technical equipment, and referrals to outside agencies. In providing these services, the Office arranges for the hiring of trained specialists, such as sign language interpreters, note-takers, tutors, scribes, readers, proctors, and a learning disability specialist.
In addition, specialized technical equipment is available for a wide range of special needs. This equipment includes the following assistive technology: computers, special software such as ZOOM TEXT (enhances print on the computer monitor), JAWS (vocalizes typed material), tape recorders, talking calculators, and reading machines. The Office of Special Student Services is located in Shuster Hall, Room 238, 718-960-8441, TTY 718-960-8931. For more information, visit http//www.lehman.edu/vpstud/spstudentserv.
The International Student Adviser's office is located in Shuster Hall, Room 210. The International Student Adviser provides assistance with immigration matters as they apply to students in F and J visa status. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services' Certificate of Eligibility will be provided to international students upon completion of all admission requirements and receipt of the required financial documents. The Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) is issued only after an international student has been admitted into a full-time degree program and has documented sufficient financial resources to study and live in the United States. For additional information, telephone 718-960-7274 or email Anne.O-Sullivan@lehman.cuny.edu.