Welcome to SUNY Ulster

Ulster County Community College (from herein referred to as SUNY Ulster) is a two-year college of the State University of New York. We pride ourselves on a strong tradition of providing exceptional education in a student- focused environment. Offering over 50 academic programs, students are prepared to succeed in a wide variety of careers and industry-specific credentialing programs. We serve as a crucial gateway to higher education, with more than 70% of our students successfully transferring to four-year colleges throughout the nation to complete their baccalaureate degrees.

At SUNY Ulster you’ll find small classes and faculty who are available to help and guide you. Many courses and some associate’s degree programs and certificates can be taken online. To assist students with their educational goals, we offer extensive student support services that include peer and professional tutoring in many disciplines, career and transfer counseling and a growing array of dynamic internships and study abroad options. Financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, is available to those who qualify.

SUNY Ulster provides cultural and social experiences for students through its arts, athletics and extra-curricular activities. Our innovative arts programming introduces students and the community to internationally recognized writers, poets, and visual and performing artists in the classroom; the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery; the Student Lounge; and the 500-seat Quimby Theater. Our gymnasium and athletic fields complex is used for intercollegiate (NJCAA) competition, and students can become active in a wide variety of clubs.

Whether you want to prepare for tomorrow’s high-tech or green careers or begin an affordable education close-to- home, SUNY Ulster will help you go far.

Vision Statement

SUNY Ulster, a student-centered community college providing innovation and excellence in learning, strives to be an educational and cultural beacon for the community.

Mission Statement

SUNY Ulster is a vibrant community of learners distinguished by academic excellence, collaboration, innovation, service, and responsible use of resources. As a public, comprehensive two-year institution dedicated to providing affordable, accessible education, we work within an ever-changing environment to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, prepare students for success in college and in the workforce, provide enrichment and lifelong learning opportunities, augment learning through the integration and application of emerging technologies, prepare students to live and work in a global society, play an active role in economic development, and enhance the quality of life for residents of Ulster County.

The College Seal

The College seal symbolically represents the historic area in which SUNY Ulster is located and the academic aspirations of the College. The date 1961 indicates the year in which the College came into being as a legal entity by virtue of a public referendum of the citizens of Ulster County. The open book is symbolic of the importance the College places on education. The ship represents Henry Hudson’s voyage on the Half Moon, which began the era of European settlement. The sheaf of wheat emphasizes the importance of agriculture in Ulster County. The Huguenot Cross recognizes the background of the early French settlers in Ulster County. The eleven stars represent the first eleven states of the Union, with the large star representing New York State, the eleventh state of the Union. Truth from learning - Wisdom from truth - is the College’s motto.

Historical Background

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many citizens of Ulster County felt a need for the development of a community college, and with the overwhelming public support expressed in a November 1961 referendum, Ulster County Community College became a legal entity. The College’s Board of Trustees met for the first time on April 15, 1962. From that date, the development of the College moved forward rapidly.

Ulster County Community College began its first academic year in September 1963. Classes were held at a temporary campus in the historic Ulster Academy Building in Kingston, NY. Two years later, 48 students received their degrees at the College’s first graduation. In 1965 ground was broken for the College’s main campus at Stone Ridge, and in 1967 the first classes were held at the new permanent location. The College has now conferred in excess of 20,000 degrees and has served over 400,000 students through its credit and noncredit offerings. SUNY Ulster continues to build in the new century. New academic programs have been introduced to address the education and training needs of emerging careers. New options for online education are evolving. Campus facilities and technology continue to support the educational programs. Through development of a Facilities Master Plan for the campus and implementation of the plan, SUNY Ulster’s goal is to meet the 21st century needs of its students and the Hudson Valley workforce.

Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Established in 1976, the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. is a 501 ( c ) 3 not for profit corporation operating under New York State law for the benefit of SUNY Ulster and its students. Through the generous support of the many friends and alumni of the College, businesses, civic organizations, and members of the campus community, the Foundation now manages more than seven million dollars in assets that support student scholarships, equipment, and a broad range of educational and cultural programming.

In collaboration with the College and under the auspices of the Foundation Board of Directors, the Foundation continues to expand its initiatives to raise funds in support of new and dynamic degree programs and credit free continuing and professional education courses. Close to three million dollars in scholarships has been given to 5,000 students since the Foundation’s inception, with more than 250 scholarships awarded each year. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation provides annual support to the College from other donor-established funds created to enhance programs in the Arts, Sciences, Technology, and SUNY Ulster’s hallmark Nursing Program. The Foundation also contributes to a full calendar of special events on the Stone Ridge campus open to the community.

If you are interested in scholarship opportunities offered through the Foundation, or if you would like to make a donation or a planned gift to help sustain our mission, please contact the Foundation office at (845) 687-5283 or visit our website at sunyulster.edu/foundation.

Student Success

Graduates from SUNY Ulster’s Transfer Programs consistently succeed at four-year colleges and universities with a final performance level no different from-and, in many cases, higher than-students who began their education at the four-year schools.

SUNY Ulster graduates have also established an impressive track record. According to the most recent Graduate Follow-Up Survey, 86 percent of respondents reported that they had transferred to another institution or were employed in a field related to their education.

Passing Rates on Certification Exams

Student Profile

The diversity of students at SUNY Ulster is one of its greatest assets. They may be working toward a bachelor’s degree or training for immediate employment, a job promotion, using new technology, or a career change. Still others are looking for credit or Continuing Education noncredit courses to enhance their leisure or promote their personal or professional development. They are recent high school graduates, single parents, retired citizens, students with disabilities, and people from business and industry. Many are returning to the classroom after an extended absence.

Fall 2013 Credit Enrollment

Student Right-to-Know

In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act of 1990, Ulster County Community College makes available to all current and prospective students the completion and transfer rates of a selected group of students. Student consumer information, including the completion and transfer rates of first-time, full-time students can Be accessed at sunyulster.edu/consumerinformation.

Accreditations

Ulster County Community College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215: 662-5606; www.msache.org. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation. Since SUNY Ulster is a unit of the State University of New York, the curricula have been approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees and are registered with the New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234, 518: 474-3852; www.highered.nysed.gov. The College is authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to award certificates, diplomas, and degrees of Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science. Curricula are registered by the New York State Department of Education and are approved by the New York State Education Department for the training of veterans. The College is approved for holders of New York State scholarships, and the College’s Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, telephone 404.975.5000, fax 404.975.5020, www.acenursing.org. In addition, the College’s Engineering Science Program is affiliated with the Two-Year Engineering Science Association (TYESA) and the Association of Engineering Colleges of New York State (AECNYS), and the Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Nondiscrimination Notice

Pursuant to State University of New York policy, SUNY Ulster is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the SUNY Ulster community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

The SUNY Ulster’s policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Ann Marrott, Vice President and Dean for Enrollment Management, Vanderlyn Hall, Room 119, Stone Ridge Campus, Stone Ridge, NY 12484. She may be reached by calling (845) 687-5070 or emailing at marrotta@sunyulster.edu.

Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; Tel. (646) 428-3800; Email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.