UTICA, NY – At SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), students are not just learning research
methods in the classroom. They are conducting research that addresses real world challenges and
informs decisions in the communities they serve. Senior students in SUNY Poly’s Community &
Behavioral Health (CBH) program recently completed one of the first local studies examining the
early effects of New York State’s bell to bell cellphone ban in Oneida County high schools, providing
valuable insights for educators, school leaders, and policymakers.
The study, The Impact of the NYS Cellphone Ban in Oneida County High Schools: A Study of School
Staff Reactions & Perceptions, was conducted by senior students in SUNY Poly’s CBH program under
the leadership of Assistant Professor Dr. Jarrett Rose. The project combined qualitative interviews
and quantitative survey research to assess educator perspectives during the first year of policy
implementation.
Drawing on interviews with school administrators and educators and survey responses from 111
teachers, administrators, and staff members across Oneida County high schools, the study found
broad support for the cellphone ban and identified perceived improvements in student
engagement, classroom focus, social interaction, and behavior. The findings also highlighted areas
requiring further research, including academic outcomes, bullying, and long-term student well-
being.
“This project gave our students the opportunity to conduct timely, community-focused research on
an issue affecting schools across New York State,” said Dr. Rose. “We are proud of what they
accomplished and grateful for the educators and school leaders who shared their experiences with
us. Our students were not simply learning about research methods—they were generating
knowledge that can inform practice, policy, and future scholarship.”
The research team included recent CBH graduates Hannah C. Reese, Cullen Elliott, Dezeraiah
Bellamy, Samantha Dee, Isabella Schaffer, Ashton Paul, and Madison Altamura. SUNY Poly
Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Winnie Mkandawire served as the study’s data analyst.
The report will be shared with educational stakeholders throughout Oneida County, including
superintendents, principals, teachers, and school staff who participated in and informed the
research, as well as the Governor’s Office. Building on the project’s initial findings, Rose is now
working with faculty colleagues from SUNY Poly’s Colleges of Health Sciences and Arts & Sciences,
along with the recent CBH graduates, to develop the study into a scholarly manuscript for
submission to a peer-reviewed education journal.
“This project reflects the strength of applied learning in the College of Health Sciences,” said Dr.
Mark Kittleson, Dean of SUNY Poly’s College of Health Sciences. “It shows how students can use
research to engage directly with community partners, examine real-world public health and
behavioral health questions, and contribute meaningful insights to issues affecting our region.”
Dr. Babak Elahi, Dean of SUNY Poly’s College of Arts & Sciences, added, “As this work moves toward
scholarly publication, it also demonstrates the interdisciplinary impact of SUNY Poly. By bringing
together health sciences, social research, education, and community engagement, projects like this
prepare students and faculty to address complex challenges through collaboration.”
While the study found strong perceived benefits in classroom engagement and student
socialization, researchers noted that the findings represent an early assessment based on staff
perceptions and emphasized the need for continued research to better understand the long-term
effects of cellphone restrictions in schools.
The report provides local educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders with valuable
insight into how the statewide policy is being experienced during its first year of implementation
and offers recommendations for future research and policy development. The project also
demonstrates how undergraduate students can contribute meaningfully to research that serves
both local communities and broader academic conversations.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
