OnCampus Program for SCSD Students

OnCampus is a partnership between the Syracuse City School District and Taishoff Center/InclusiveU. OnCampus brings Syracuse City School students to the SU campus for academic, personal, and social development. They are supported by teaching staff from the city school district, InclusiveU staff, and Syracuse University students/peer mentors.

OnCampus students can:

The OnCampus program strives to provide quality support; for this reason, we limit the total SCSD students involved to a small number. We are committed to diversity and try to have equal representations of gender, ethnicity, and high school of origin.

Eligibility

OnCampus students must:

• Be residents of the City of Syracuse and currently attending a Syracuse City School District high school
• Be between the ages of 18 and 21
• Have developmental disabilities, particularly students with moderate to high support needs working toward an IEP diploma
• Have a focusing on transition, rather than school-based, goals
• Within two years of graduation from the Syracuse City School District
• Plan to participate in the program for a minimum of two years
• Demonstrate commitment for the student and family to fully participate in the program (e.g., regular attendance)

The Syracuse City School District employs a Transition Coordinator and Special Education liaisons
who are in contact with high school special education students and teachers throughout the school
year. Referrals for incoming OnCampus students come through these individuals when student
program reviews occur in February, March and April. A parent or teacher may also request their
child to be included in the OnCampus program.

Program Details

OnCampus students attend classes at Syracuse University beginning the last week in August and running three semesters through the end of June. Students attend the same number of school days (180) as the public schools but have a slightly different vacation schedule. Transportation to and from Syracuse University is provided the Syracuse City School District. In the event of a snow day when Syracuse City schools are closed, the OnCampus program is closed. The OnCampus program is also closed for national holidays. Students who are eligible for 12-month programming must register for Summer School through the Special Education Department for programming through July. The OnCampus program does not have a summer component at this time.

OnCampus students meet with matriculated SU students each week through on-going partnerships established at the beginning of each semester through the Peer2Peer program. Most OnCampus student have multiple SU partners. Some of the activities that students do together include: having lunch, working out in the gym, studying, playing card games, visiting museums, cooking, doing arts and crafts, taking photographs, having picnics, etc. SU students are required to submit weekly journal entries reflecting on what they are learning about their partner’s experience being on campus. There is less emphasis placed on the specific activities that partners do each week and more emphasis placed on spending time together in ways that foster mutual learning of each other’s experience as college students.

Contact Michele Krak, OnCampus Coordinator to apply for OnCampus.