ALFRED UNIVERSITY
Alfred, New York
The University
Alfred University (AU) is a residential institution of 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, located 70 miles south of Rochester, between the Finger Lakes region and the Allegheny Mountains in western New York State. AU comprises four colleges and schools: the Colleges of Business and Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Art and Design and Engineering, which includes biomedical materials engineering science, ceramic engineering, electrical engineering, glass science engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. AU is noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and commitment to student development. Alfred University is regarded as the world leader in the field of ceramic engineering. The state of New York has identified Alfred University as one of its ten centers for advanced technology research.
One distinctive characteristic of Alfred University is the diversity of its student body. With men and women nearly equal in number, the University's 2,000 undergraduates include representatives from more than forty U.S. states and territories as well as from twenty different nations. Those from the United States come from rural, urban, and suburban neighborhoods, as well as public, parochial, and private secondary schools.
Alfred University has a strong commitment to student development through residential life. Students are required to live on campus their first two years, and about 75 percent of all students reside on campus. Housing options include traditional residence halls, suites, and on-campus apartments. Alternative options such as off-campus special interest housing are also available for upperclass students.
Alfred University students come from many social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, which are reflected in various campus organizations such as Hillel, Women's Issues Coalition (WIC), and the African, Latino, Asian, Native American (ALANA) Club. Students participate in and support AU athletic events, which are held on Merrill Field or in the McLane Center. The University schedules a variety of nationally acclaimed performers who attract students and area residents alike. Students participate in more than 100 campus clubs and organizations, including the American Ceramic Society, Forest People, Jazz Ensemble, Karate Club, and Ski Club.
The following graduate degrees are offered: Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in school psychology; Master of Business Administration; Master of Professional Studies in community services administration; Master of Science in Education, with concentrations in twelve different areas; Master of Science in electrical and mechanical engineering; Master of Fine Arts in ceramics, electronic integrated arts, glass, and sculpture; Master of Science in ceramic engineering, glass science, and materials science and engineering; and Doctor of Philosophy in ceramics and glass science.
Location
The village of Alfred is a classic college community. Local businesses cater to student and faculty needs, and the cities of Hornell and Wellsville, within 12 miles of the campus, offer additional restaurants, theaters, and recreational facilities.
Majors and Degrees
The bachelor's degree is offered in a variety of majors. Double majors, interdisciplinary majors, and dual degrees are available for students as well. There are also more than forty minors, ranging from astronomy to women's studies.
The College of Business offers the B.S. in accounting and business administration with career emphases in business economics, entrepreneurial studies, family business, finance, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing. The College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International–The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers the B.A. in athletic training, biology, chemistry, communication studies, comparative cultures, computer science, criminal justice studies, economics, elementary education, English, environmental studies, fine arts, general science, geology, gerontology, global studies, history, mathematics, modern languages (French, German, and Spanish), performing arts, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, and sociology. Preprofessional programs are available in dentistry, law, medicine, and veterinary medicine. The Track II option permits the student, in cooperation with a team of faculty advisers, to design an individual academic program tailored to meet his or her needs.
The School of Engineering offers the B.S. in biomedical materials engineering science, ceramic engineering, electrical engineering, glass science engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.
The School of Art and Design confers the B.F.A. in art education, ceramics, electronic arts, glass, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video, and wood design.
Academic Programs
All academic programs require courses in the liberal arts and sciences; however, specific graduation requirements differ for each college and school within the University. All candidates are required to satisfy a physical education requirement through courses or proficiency examinations. To encourage students with strong ability and initiative, the University recognizes the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. In addition, the University offers its own challenge examination program for currently enrolled students. The University Honors Program is open to all majors and requires an additional essay application for admission to the program. Army ROTC is also available.
Off-Campus Programs
A significant number of Alfred University students study abroad each year, in countries such as France, Germany, Great Britain, and Switzerland, through University programs or programs maintained by other universities. Additional off-campus programs include the Washington Semester with American University and the United Nations Semester with Drew University. Students also participate in numerous cooperative education and internship experiences.
Academic Facilities
Herrick Memorial Library and Scholes Library of Ceramics house 330,000 volumes, 60,000 government documents, 154,000 slides, and 1,000 journal subscriptions. Students have access to an additional 3,000 journals through Internet workstations. Several campus buildings are devoted to engineering and contain some of the most complete laboratory facilities in the world, including a radioisotope lab, petrographic and metallographic labs, five electron microscopes, and a glass drawing tower. The Science Center features a genetic engineering laboratory and the Stull Observatory, considered one of the finest teaching facilities in the country, which houses seven principle telescopes.
Harder Hall is an impressive fine arts facility that features studio space for all media, the most extensive kiln facility in the nation (thirty-eight indoor and outdoor kilns), two galleries, and Holmes auditorium. The Miller Performing Arts Center houses a flexible theater with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, individual and group rehearsal rooms, and acting and dance studios.
The campus is fully wired with switched 100-Mbps Ethernet network access in every residence hall room, classroom, and office. The student-computer ratio is 6:1, with a wide range of computer access options, including open computer labs in residence halls, libraries, and academic buildings and a laptop-lending program. Connection to the Internet is through a T-1 line, and all Internet services (including e-mail) are provided at no additional charge. The Helpdesk facility provides service-oriented support for technology needs.
Costs
The tuition in the Colleges of Business and Liberal Arts and Sciences is $19,250 for entering freshmen. Tuition for mechanical and electrical engineering is $15,600, and tuition for the School of Art and Design and the other four engineering degree programs is $11,326 for in-state students and $15,600 for out-of-state students.
Financial Aid
During the 2003–04 academic year, University-funded aid sources provided more than $19 million to undergraduate students. For most programs, 95 percent of freshmen received some form of financial assistance. Aid administered by the University usually consists of a combination of scholarships or grants, loans, and part-time work. Students may be eligible for financial assistance under the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, and Federal Work-Study programs. New York State residents may be eligible for aid under the Tuition Assistance Program. The University sponsors National Merit Scholarships; departmental talent awards; Presidential, Southern Tier, and transfer scholarships; and the Johnathan Allen Award for Leadership.
Faculty
There are 186 full-time faculty members; 93 percent of the teaching faculty members hold the doctorate or highest degree in their field. While the faculty members are actively involved in research or other scholarly activities, the education at Alfred University is classroom oriented. The average class size is 18, and the faculty-student ratio is 1:12. Courses are taught by faculty members, not teaching assistants. All faculty members serve as academic advisers and are accessible and responsive to students.
Student Government
The Student Senate has elected officials, receives an annual appropriation, and disburses funds to other campus organizations to finance their activities. It also elects student representatives to various University and college committees and sponsors a leadership seminar.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission are required to complete a college-preparatory program of 16 academic units or provide evidence of an equivalent education. The 16 units should include 4 in English, 3–4 in social studies and history, 2–3 in mathematics, and 2–3 in laboratory science. The remaining units are usually completed in a foreign language or in any of the aforementioned fields. Specific requirements of the colleges within the University vary. Admissions criteria include secondary school record, cumulative average, class rank, recommendations from guidance counselors or teachers, and SAT I or ACT scores. The SAT II: Writing Test is recommended for placement purposes. Personal accomplishments and extracurricular activities are also reviewed before a final decision is made regarding each candidate. An on-campus interview is highly recommended.
The Opportunity Programs at AU enable students whose economic and educational circumstances have placed limitations on their opportunities to further their education.
Application and Information
Candidates must submit a completed Alfred University application form or the Common Application form, SAT I or ACT results, a letter of recommendation, and a $40 application fee. Students who visit campus receive an application fee waiver certificate that may be used on that day or at a later time. They must also have their high school guidance office submit an official transcript. Applicants to the School of Art and Design must submit a portfolio of their work, typically fifteen to twenty slides. The application and portfolio deadline under the early decision plan is December 1, with notification by December 15. The application and portfolio deadline for regular admission is February 1, with notification by mid-March. Transfer applicants should file an application by August 1 for September admission or December 1 for January admission. The School of Art and Design has different application and portfolio deadlines for transfer students, dependent upon the student's previous course work in art. Students should contact the Office of Admissions for further information regarding these deadlines.
Applications and inquiries should be addressed to:
