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B-4 Van Hoesen Hall
(607) 753-2160 Fax: (607) 753-2937 |
P.O. Box 2000
Cortland, NY 13045 |
Open Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m.
Downloadable Credentials Documents:
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SUNY Cortland
Credentials Letterhead
for Recommendation Letters |
*Adobe Acrobat is needed
to download forms*
Credentials Q & A
What is a Credential File?
The credential file is the official written reference file established and maintained by you and the Career Services Office to support your current and future employment. Recommendations from faculty, staff or employers are appropriate for your file. Recommendations on file reduce the burden on letter writers during your active career. Your file, when completed, will be forwarded to prospective employers at your written request or at the written request of the institution. Letters may be added to your permanent file at any time. A credential file must be kept up to date; when you change employment or career areas, current letters should be routinely submitted. All materials in your folder should be professionally prepared, typed, and attractive to the reader.
How do I start my file?
You do not have to come in to start a file. As soon as the first letter of recommendation arrives in the Credential Files Office, a file is started for you.
How much does it cost?
General Pricing-Bachelor's and Master's Students Pricing for CAS Students *One time fee: The one time fee activates your folder for one calendar year and includes up to 20 mailings within that year
A maximum of five letters are sent per mailing to employers for bachelor's and master's students
A maximum of eight letters are sent per mailing to employers for CAS students
What is the difference between confidential and non-confidential?
| Non-Confidential |
If you "retain" your right to access a letter, then the letter is non-confidential. That means that you can look at the letter at any time, and you can hand-deliver the letter to the credentials office. Public Law 93-380 allows access to references written on or after January 1, 1975, if you do not waive that right. Non-confidential letters may be written on the letterhead of the organization or on the College Credentials letterhead with the statement retaining rights of access to the letter checked and the form signed by the student and the letter writer. |
| Confidential |
If you "waive" your right to access a letter, then the letter is confidential. That means that you have given up your right to look at the letter, and you cannot hand-deliver the letter to the credentials office. Once a confidential letter is placed in your file, we cannot allow you to see the letter. Confidential letters must be mailed in or delivered by the letter writer. Though some letter writers may choose to give you a copy of a confidential letter, we cannot. Candidates requesting a confidential letter should use the SUNY Cortland Credentials Letterhead, with the waiver of rights to access the letter checked and the form signed by the student and the letter writer. |
Some employers have stated that they would much rather see a confidential letter, while other employers do not have a preference. It is your decision whether or not to retain access to a letter, but once a decision is made, it cannot be undone. You may need to discuss your options with your letter writer in advance.
The recommendation does not need to be typed in the space on the SUNY Cortland Credentials Letterhead. If the form is filled out, it can be stapled to the top of the letter.
How do I request my file to be sent?
To send your file to an employer, you need to fill out a Credential Files Request Form. Please include the complete employer mailing address and zip code, along with your address, social security number, and phone number.
Credentials file requests must be made in person or in writing (fax or letter).
Requests by phone or email will not be honored.Requests are completed in order of arrival; allow sufficient time for your request to be honored. Mail can be slow reaching us and slow reaching your future employer. Plan enough time to allow for this.
How long does my credential file stay open?
The credential file remains in our office for 10 years after the last time it is used. If you add a letter or request a transaction any time within that 10 years, it will stay open for 10 more years. For example, if you created a file in 2000 and never used it, it would be available until 2010, but if you added a new letter in 2005, your file would then be available until 2015. After 10 years of inactivity, a file is destroyed, unless you request it to stay available.
Why don't you keep my resume and transcripts?
The Registrar's Office has historically handled transcript requests, and as a result, all official transcripts must be requested through their office. You can view additional information about transcripts, as well as download a transcript request form at http://www.cortland.edu/registrar/transcripts/Transcripts.html. You may also view and print an unofficial transcript through SUNY Cortland Banner Web at https://bannerweb.cortland.edu/.
Resumes are not held in the credential file because resumes are frequently changed and should be tailored to each specific job or application.
How do I check to see which letters are in my file?
You may check your letters over the phone by calling (607) 753-2160, or you may check in person in the Credentials Office, B-4 Van Hoesen Hall. Letters may not be checked through email.
How many letters do I need?
Though you can only send out a maximum of five letters in a mailing (eight for CAS), it is recommended that you have enough good letters to accurately gauge your ability as a potential employee, grad student, etc.
For some students, three letters may be sufficient, but if you may be applying for positions in different fields or have letters that address different things about you that may be important for various employers to see, you may have many more letters.
You are able to put in as many letters as you believe are necessary.
What should I do if I am missing a letter?
It is important to make sure that the letters you want to send are in the file before you send it out to employers. You will need to check the file in person or over the phone to see if letters you were expecting have arrived in the office. Do not assume that because you have asked someone to write a letter, they have done so.
If you are missing a letter, you should contact the letter writer to see if he or she has sent the letter. Be sure to give your letter writers enough time to write the letter, but if they have not completed the letter within a reasonable time or there are doubts about whether or not the writer will complete the recommendation, you may want to consider finding another letter writer.
