Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Merit Access Program (MAP), and Office of the Ombudsman

EOP, MAP, and Office of the Ombudsman
Director: Paul Nicholson
Tel.: (914) 251-6520
Office: Student Services Building, Room 217
Hours: Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

The EOP and MAP programs provide access for motivated students from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a college degree. Students are offered financial assistance, tutoring, and counseling to help them achieve their long- and short-term goals. Faculty members are encouraged to call or stop by the EOP/MAP Office anytime they wish to discuss the progress of EOP or MAP students.

At the midterm point in each semester, faculty members are asked to complete a student evaluation for each EOP/MAP student enrolled in their courses. (For related information, please refer to Midterm Warnings in the “Planning the Course Syllabus and Curriculum” section of this handbook.)

The EOP/MAP director also serves as the ombudsman for Purchase College students, including helping them navigate the campus disciplinary system, assisting those who are experiencing difficulties using administrative services, and helping negotiate the complicated world of higher education finance.

The ombudsman can:

• listen nonjudgmentally and discuss questions, issues, and concerns
• help evaluate options
• explain college policies and procedures
• make appropriate referrals when necessary
• empower students to address their concerns and problems
• bring patterns of problems or complaints to campus administrators

The ombudsman cannot:

• make administrative decisions for Purchase College
• judge or assign innocence or guilt to those accused of violating the college’s Community Standards of Conduct
• give legal advice
• process work orders for campus residence repairs
• become involved in grade disputes

Sometimes a student may not know where to go for certain kinds of help. The following are examples of concerns that students might bring to the ombudsman for assistance:

1. A student has consulted with staff members in the Office of Student Financial Services, but still cannot meet the costs of college.
2. A student has been accused of violating one of the Community Standards of Conduct and wants advice from an objective professional who is not involved in the disciplinary process.
3. A student feels that he or she has been treated poorly by a college employee and wants to formally bring this concern to the attention of the college administration.

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