Campus Setting
Pioneer Seventh Day Baptists founded Alfred University as a select school in 1836. Alfred became the first co-educational institution in New York State and the second in the nation. About 2,000 full-time undergraduate and 300 graduate students work and live on a scenic 232-acre hillside campus in Alfred, New York. Another 400 acres of recreational land is just minutes away. The nonsectarian University is comprised of the privately endowed College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the New York State College of Ceramics (Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering and School of Art & Design). Bachelors, masters, advanced certificates and doctoral degrees are awarded as the culmination of Alfred University’s academic and professional programs. A four-year private institution, Alfred University has an enrollment of 2,319 students. In addition to a large, well-stocked library, the campus facilities include: ceramic art museum • galleries • observatory • equestrian center • carillon. Alfred University provides on-campus housing with 26 units that can accommodate 1,456 students. Housing options: coed dorms • single-student apartments. Recreation and sports facilities include: artificial turf field for football, lacrosse, soccer and recreational use • tennis courts • fitness center • 6-lane swimming pool with one and three meter diving boards • gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and recreational use • racquetball/squash courts • tennis courts • equestrian center.
Student Life and Activities
With 77 percent of students living on campus, there are plenty of social activities. Popular gathering spots include Powell Campus Center, Brick Lawn, the Bandstand, the Moka Joka and Terra Cotta. Favorite campus events include Hot Dog Day, Glam Slam and The Alfies. Alfred University has 83 official student organizations. The most popular are: Chamber singers • Habitat for Humanity • Kanakadea • Spectrum • Pet Pals • Student Activities Board • SAFE • Green Alfred • Alfred Steppas • AU Swing Society • Friday Night Live • Pirate Theater. For those interested in sports, there are intramural teams such as: basketball • soccer • racquetball • golf • volleyball. Alfred University is a member of the Empire Eight (Division III).
Academics and Learning Environment
For the B student, the learning environment of a college is just as important as the quality of its academic program. Alfred University has 165 full-time and 34 part-time faculty members, offering a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The most common course size is 10 to 19 students. Alfred University offers 65 majors with the most popular being art/design, psychology and business administration and least popular being French, Spanish and mathematics. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is available. All first-year students must maintain a 1.7 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate. Other special academic programs that would appeal to a B student: self-designed majors • pass/fail grading option • independent study • double majors • dual degrees • honors program • Phi Beta Kappa • internships.
B Student Support and Success
Rumored to have been the inspiration for the 1980s television series “Northern Exposure,” this college is quiet and small but active. The school is especially known for its School of Engineering’s glass and ceramic programs and is one of the few schools that offers a degree in Ceramic Engineering. Classes are typically less than 10 students. The general atmosphere appeals to the back-to-nature student who likes cold, snowy winters.
Alfred University provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic • career • personal • psychological • minority students • family planning. Additional counseling services include women’s and wellness counseling. The average freshman year GPA is 2.6, and 71 percent of freshmen students return for their sophomore year. Companies that most frequently hire graduates from Alfred University include: Corning Inc. • Dresser Rand • Pratt and Whitney • Alfred University.
Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs offered by Alfred University. If necessary, the college will grant additional time to students with learning disabilities to complete their degree. Also, a lightened course load may be granted to LD students. High school foreign language waivers are accepted. According to the school, the progress of students receiving services from Special Academic Services is monitored. Students with learning disabilities will find the following programs at Alfred University extremely useful: tutors • testing accommodations • untimed tests • extended time for tests • oral tests • readers • note-taking services • tape recorders • diagnostic testing service • waiver of math degree requirement. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: time management • organizational skills • learning strategies • specific subject areas • writing labs • study skills. An advisor/advocate from the LD program is available to students.
Highlights
Alfred University
Alfred, NY (Pop. 3,000)
Location: Rural
Four-year private
Founded: 1836
Website: http://www.alfred.edu
Students
Total enrollment: 2,319
Undergrads: 1,909
Freshmen: 465
Part-time students: 4%
From out-of-state: 24%
From public schools: Not reported
Male/Female: 49%/51%
Live on-campus: 77%
Off-campus employment rating: Poor
Caucasian: 68%
African American: 5%
Hispanic: 3%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 2%
Native American: 0%
International: 2%
Academics
Calendar: Semester
Student/faculty ratio: 12:1
Class size 9 or fewer: 21%
Class size 10-29: 64%
Class size 30-49: 12%
Class size 50-99: 2%
Class size 100 or more: 1%
Returning freshmen: 71%
Six-year graduation rate: 69%
Most Popular Majors
Art/design
Psychology
Business administration
How to Get Admitted
For admissions decisions,