College to welcome more than 1,800 new first-year and transfer students

SUNY New Paltz will welcome more than 1,100 first-year students to the College during the annual Moving In Day beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Lisa Jones, dean of admission, said this year’s class, as in years past, is defined by its academic quality and diversity. “New Paltz consistently attracts high-caliber students from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups, and this year is no exception,” said Jones. “We maintain our standing as one of the most diverse campuses in SUNY– this class is both numerically and proportionately the most diverse group of new students to ever enter this institution.”

They will be joined by more than 700 transfer students for the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 25. The College’s unusual efforts to provide on-campus housing for about 120 transfer students were instrumental in exceeding its transfer student target. With more than 1,800 total new students, New Paltz once again has met its admissions targets to support the College’s goal of steady-state undergraduate enrollment.

According to L. David Eaton, vice president for enrollment management, this marks the 25th consecutive year New Paltz had more applications (16,216) for first-year admission than any other SUNY comprehensive college.

“We remain among the most selective colleges both within SUNY and in the Northeast,” said Eaton. “Our first-year entering students are outstanding and competitive students with impressive academic credentials, as are those who are transferring to New Paltz from two-and four-year institutions.”

This year, the College will be home to approximately 500 international students, including nearly 200 new international students from 26 countries.

Fall Convocation
SUNY New Paltz will launch a new student-focused, interactive Convocation ceremony for the incoming class on Friday, Aug. 22, in the Athletic & Wellness Center.  This transformed event is a result of feedback from New Paltz students, faculty, staff, and alumni and supports the College’s strategic plan initiatives to better serve students.

President Donald P. Christian, Stacie Nunes, chair (Physics & Astronomy) and director of AMP/C-STEP, and Class of 2014 valedictorian Arielle J. Rubenstein (communication disorders), will address the crowd at this year’s ceremony.

Construction Update
Current construction projects on the SUNY New Paltz campus include a $36 million renovation of the Wooster Building. The project will convert an outdated science facility into a modern multiuse facility housing academic departments, student-centered administrative offices, including records and registration, academic advising, student accounts, and financial aid, and a dining facility at the academic epicenter of the campus. Completion is expected in January 2016.

The LeFevre Residence Hall underwent an 8-month renovation and is ready for Moving In Day. The project is part of the ongoing total renovation of all Hasbrouck Complex residence halls. Additionally, the construction of a new 225- bed residence hall is underway, scheduled to open in fall 2015. This new air-conditioned residence hall includes a café to serve students, residents, and the rest of the campus community.

Construction is also underway on the new science building. This 77,000-sq.-ft. building is scheduled for completion in January 2017 and will house the Geology, Geography, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science and Mathematics departments and will help reduce the College’s academic space deficit of approximately 360,000 square feet.

3D Printing Update
3D printing at SUNY New Paltz continues to build momentum as a result of additional funding, new staff and equipment.

This fall, the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC) will be home to new 3D Systems and Stratasys equipment. The printers will aid the Center’s work in providing digital design and 3D printing services to businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals across the Mid-Hudson Valley region. Recent projects include teaming with businesses in Ulster and Dutchess counties and New York City.

In addition, Katherine Wilson ’14g has been appointed assistant director of the Center. She will work alongside Dan Freedman, dean of the School of Science and Engineering and director of HVAMC.

About 3D Printing
3D printing at SUNY New Paltz integrates the College’s strengths in engineering, computer science, technology, and the innovation and creativity of the arts. The organizational home of this effort is the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz. Launched in May 2013, the center brings state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment to the region and a curriculum in Digital Design and Fabrication, giving rise to powerful forces—art and technology, creativity and ingenuity. Additional elements of the initiative include: active recruitment of 3D printing enterprises, with access to venture capital funds and potential for participation in the Governor’s Start-Up NY tax incentive program; and a network of equipment access and collaborative educational programming at Hudson Valley community colleges and select high schools to expand 3D printing capability in the region. In December 2013, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and Governor Andrew Cuomo awarded the initiative $1M in state economic development funds. And in February 2014, the College partnered with Brooklyn, N.Y. – based MakerBot, the leading manufacturer of desktop 3D printers, to open the nation’s first MakerBot Innovation Center at SUNY New Paltz.