Alfred State College

Coordinates: 42°15′15.71″N 77°47′18.38″W / 42.2543639°N 77.7884389°W / 42.2543639; -77.7884389

Alfred State College
Motto	Hit The Ground Running
Established	1908
President	Dr. John Anderson
Academic staff	162
Students	3,200
Location	Alfred, New York, United States
Campus	Rural
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Pioneers
Website	http://www.alfredstate.edu

Aerial view of Alfred State College taken in April 2006. Alfred University is shown in the upper right and Alfred, NY appears to the right

Alfred State College is a State University of New York College of Technology located in Alfred, New York in Allegany County. This college, formerly the Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred, now grants baccalaureate degrees in 18 areas, associate degrees in nearly 60 areas, as well as a number of certificates; fully accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Alfred State College is a member of the Rochester Area Colleges consortium along with Alfred University, the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Saint John Fisher College, Roberts Wesleyan College, Nazareth College, Monroe Community College, SUNY Brockport, and SUNY Geneseo.

Full-time (12+ credit hours) students may cross-register at Alfred University to supplement their education with classes not offered at Alfred State College at no additional cost.

History

Both Alfred University and Alfred State College have their roots in an early teaching college called the Alfred Select School. This school, under the leadership of the Seventh-Day Baptist church, was visionary in its equal opportunity policy. In 1908 President Boothe C. Davis of Alfred University persuaded the New York State legislature to locate the New York State School of Agriculture at the Alfred University Campus; the resulting allocation of $75,000 for three buildings, a farm, livestock, and machinery would set plans for the school in motion. In 1941 the school was given Junior College status, and renamed the New York State Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred.

In 1948 the enrollment grew to such large numbers that the state government decided to allow it room to expand, moving the school across Main street from Alfred University, where it remains today. In addition to a new campus would come greater autonomy, meaning that Alfred would now have two state-funded schools and one private university.

In 2003, Alfred State College and its neighbor Alfred University entered into merger talks that were eventually abandoned in the face of opposition from students, faculty, and alumni from both institutions, many of whom viewed the missions of the two colleges as largely incongruous.

Schools and departments

Alfred State College offers more than 70 majors in the arts, applied technology, and management and engineering technology. Teaching staff are in a 20:1 ratio to students, and are generally well-educated in their field, while maintaining ties to their profession.

The college is divided into the following schools:

The School of Arts & Sciences The School of Management & Engineering Technology The School of Applied Technology

Annual festivals

In 1972 two students, Mark O'Meara and Eric "Rick" Vaughn, started a charity festival entitled "Hot Dog Day". This festival was to be a charity fundraiser for the area and would focus on the hot dog. Now held in the third weekend of April, Hot dog day is a yearly celebration coordinated through both Alfred University and Alfred State College.

Beginning in Fall 2008, Alfred State College will be hosting an annual Homecoming celebration, which will be held in part at the soon to be completed athletic complex. This event is slated to be in tandem with Family Weekend, allowing for a weekend of fun for all.

Student government

Alfred State College Student Senate administers over half a million dollars in club and administrative funds through the Student Activity Fee. Student Senate supports, facilitates, and leads its clubs and organizations through an annual Leadership Retreat, weekly leadership seminars, and various special projects. In addition to funding, Student Senate allows students of both Wellsville and Alfred main campus to participate in collaborative decision making processes.The Student Senate General Assembly has voting rights on the board of trustees of the college, known as the College Council, through its College Council Representative.

Facilities and construction

Founded with three buildings, a farm, and some livestock Alfred State College has expanded to include 12 residence halls, state of the art smart classrooms, a motorsports facility, a developing organic farm, the Orvis Activities Center, as well as a second campus of Applied Technology located in Wellsville, NY.

The trend that started in post-war Alfred has continued today in the multi-million dollar campus renewal program, including an all new athletic field that will accommodate Lacrosse, Soccer, Football, and will be surrounded by an 8-lane running track, an extensive renovation and expansion of Central Dining Hall, a 150-bed townhouse complex including a student activities center, as well as renovations of the School of Management & Engineering Technology building.

Students enjoy food at two on campus snack bars (Exit West Cafe and The Peach Pit), Friendly's Cafe, Taco Bell Express, Freshen's Smoothies and Pretzels, KFC Express, Pizza Hut Express, as well as all-you-can-eat cafeteria style dining.

Greek life

Alfred State College has a long and valued history of fraternities and sororities on campus, starting in 1920 with its first fraternity. Fraternities and Sororities contribute to the campus and community through philanthropic works, charitable contributions, and alumni interest in the college. Pledging is a four week process requiring a minimum of ten hours of library time per pledging week amongst other requirements, hence the common phrase "Four Weeks for Life".

Currently 5 fraternities and 5 sororities are recognized by the college and Greek Senate: Kappa Sigma Epsilon (KΣE) fraternity, Gamma Theta Gamma (ΓΘΓ) fraternity, Pi Rho Zeta (ΠΡΖ) fraternity, Mu Theta (ΜΘ) fraternity Psi Delta Omega (ΨΔΩ) is on probationary status. Alpha Beta Chi (ABX) sorority, Delta Chi Omega (ΔΧΩ) sorority, Pi Nu Epsilon (ΠNE) sorority, Alpha Sigma (ΑΣ) sorority, and Psi Sigma Psi (ΨΣΨ) sorority are all fully recognized by the College.

Greek Senate has developed an autonomous Greek Judicial Board which allows for the full self-governance of the Alfred Greek System, adjudicating cases of organizational misconduct. Hazing is not allowable by any organization on campus (enforced by state law), but most especially in any fraternity or sorority. Regardless of recognition status all members of the campus community are expected to abide by college policy and all applicable laws.

Services

See also: ACES and Blackboard Academic Suite

Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services (ACES) has been providing services to Alfred State College since 1946 including dining services, telecommunications and the Alfred State Bookstore.

Blackboard Inc. provides networked vending account and building access solutions, as well as the Course management system.

See also

Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services

External links

• Alfred State College webpage

References

• Alfred University/NYS School of Agriculture History
• Images from the Jean B. Lang WNY Historical Collection
• SUNY Press Release