Both Alfred University and Alfred State have their roots in an early teaching college called the Alfred Select School. The school 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.
Schools and departments
Alfred State offers more than 80 majors in the arts, applied technology, architecture and management and engineering technology. Teaching staff are in a 18:1 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:
In 1972 two students started a charity festival entitled "Hot Dog Day". This festival was to be a charity fundraiser for the area. Now held in the third weekend of April, Hot dog day is a yearly celebration coordinated through both Alfred University and Alfred State. Beginning in the fall of 2008, Alfred State began hosting its annual Homecoming and Family Weekend Celebration.
Student government
The Student Senate of Alfred State 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. The Student Senate General Assembly also has a voice on the Faculty Senate with a non-voting member but has voting members on many committees including the Academic Affairs Committee. They also have three members on the Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services board of directors.
Facilities and construction
Founded with three buildings, a farm, and some livestock, Alfred State has expanded to include 13 residence halls, state of the art smart classrooms, a motorsports facility, an organic farm, the Orvis Activities Center, as well as a second campus of Applied Technology located in Wellsville, NY. Pioneer Stadium accommodates Lacrosse, Soccer and Football, and is surrounded by an 8-lane running track. Facilities also include a Central Dining Hall, a 150-bed townhouse complex, an Engineering Technology Building, and a Student Leadership Center.
Greek life
Currently 6 fraternities and 6 sororities are recognized by the college and Greek Senate:Pi Rho Zeta fraternity, The Gamma chapter of the Theta Gamma fraternity, Lambda Tau Phi fraternity, Kappa Sigma Epsilon fraternity, Mu Theta fraternity, Psi Delta Omega fraternity, Psi Sigma Psi sorority, Alpha Beta Chi sorority, Pi Nu Epsilon sorority, Delta Chi Omega sorority, Alpha Sigma sorority, and Zeta Psi Omega 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, 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.
Museums and galleries
The Bret Llewellyn Art Gallery at SUNY Alfred State in Alfred, NY, founded in 2010, is located in the campus Engineering Technology Building.
