A degree...and an education.

Transcription

1 S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K A degree...and an education. Greetings from the president I t s a pleasure for me to take this opportunity to tell you about the State University of New York at New Paltz. On the following pages, you ll read about the unique qualities of a New Paltz education and our reputation for achieving academic excellence within a creative, challenging, and supportive environment. You ll learn about some of the impressive initiatives at the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) and the important role New Paltz plays as an economic driver in Ulster County and the Hudson Valley. The education that students receive inside the classrooms of SUNY New Paltz is matched by their experiences elsewhere on campus and in the larger community of the Hudson Valley, with its rich cultural, historical, artistic, and natural resources. Only 90 miles from New York City, our campus is located within walking distance of the Village of New Paltz, a classic college town with specialty shops and restaurants that cater to every taste. We pride ourselves on contributing to the cultural and intellectual offerings of this magnificent region. We are proud to be partners with six Hudson Valley community colleges within 45 miles of New Paltz more than for any other SUNY campus that offers baccalaureate degrees. My colleagues at the community college campuses work closely with me and with each other to create a network of public higher education opportunities in the Hudson Valley, part of our contribution to the seamless educational pipeline envisioned in Chancellor Nancy Zimpher s strategic plan. Just under half of our new students are transfer students, many from community colleges in the region, and we serve proportionally more transfer students than nearly all other SUNY campuses. We believe we serve these students very well. We have the highest retention rate for transfer students from the first to the second year of any SUNY college or university. And, along with students who began their education at New Paltz, our transfer students graduate at higher rates than the averages for U.S. public universities and even for private colleges. New Paltz has been recognized nationally for these accomplishments, especially for graduating African-American and Latino students at rates well above national averages. For more than two decades, we have received more applications for first-year admission than any other SUNY comprehensive college. We are, in every respect, at or above our undergraduate enrollment capacity, and we actually serve more students than the state funds us for. But as a result of that, we have been able to become increasingly selective in our admissions. Ten years ago, parents of prospective students used to say, when my son or daughter comes to New Paltz, and increasingly we are hearing, if my son or daughter can get into New Paltz. One of the most important aspects of a high-quality educational environment is the caliber of one s fellow students. Professors are able to teach at a higher level in a classroom full of bright students. And, some of the best learning is very social, and the quality and dedication of classmates matters. We are a diverse campus, with a quarter of our students coming from historically under-represented groups. Studies show that New Paltz students are far more likely than those at other colleges and universities to have meaningful conversations with students of different racial or ethnic or religious background an important outcome in learning to navigate a complex and diverse world. We are grateful to our state legislature and governor for recognizing the critical role of the state university system as an economic driver and the need to invest in rather than continue to cut public education. The five-year rational tuition plan allows families to plan for incremental increases and enables New Paltz to hire more full-time faculty so that we can enhance course availability, avoid large class sizes, and provide access to academic support services such as expanded library hours. We are grateful to our state Senator John Bonacic and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (class of 77), who were instrumental in helping us secure funding for recent renovations and new construction. Despite a difficult fiscal environment, New Paltz continues to improve the quality and affordability of our educational offerings so that students are prepared to thrive Our students earn a degree from a top-ranked public college and an education that prepares them to succeed in, and contribute to, a complex and global society. in and contribute to a very different world. We believe that the Hudson Valley and the rest of New York deserve an educational option that is both affordable and of exceptional quality. This is our niche. We are your public university. I encourage you to explore this snapshot of SUNY New Paltz, and when you have the opportunity, come for a visit and see all that we have to offer. S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K Donald P. Christian President

2 New Paltz provides one of the nation s most open, diverse, and artistic environments in order to prepare students to excel in rapidly changing times that demand creativity and worldliness. Our tradition of intellectual discovery is enhanced by a location of stunning natural beauty, in a dynamic college town, with easy access to New York City. Our unusually wide array of professional and liberal arts majors fosters a rich academic milieu in which students, selected through a competitive admissions process, can develop to their highest potential. 7,885 total number of students Graduate students: 1,303 Undergraduate students: 6,582 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio 26% students of color 200+ recognized clubs and organizations SUNY New Paltz: A growing reputation The State University of New York at New Paltz provides a creative, diverse, challenging, and supportive environment where students get a degree from a highly selective university and an education rich in experiences that last a lifetime. We deliver an extraordinary number of majors in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering and are particularly well known for our programs in Fine and Performing Arts and Education, having started as a normal school for teacher training. In keeping with the tradition of the nation s great public universities, New Paltz is linked to the health and vitality of the region, state, and nation through the education of its citizens. In 2008, New Paltz was chosen as the Hottest Small State School in America by the Kaplan/Newsweek How to Get into College guide, in recognition of our academic excellence and unique appeal to students seeking entry into the top schools in the country. Contributing factors to the College s selection included a growing reputation, selective admissions, and high retention and graduation rates. We aim to educate students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they will need to contribute as productive members of their communities and professions and as active citizens in a democratic nation and a global society. One of the most selective public colleges in the Northeast, New Paltz has a robust academic program and an outstanding reputation. It is an ideal place for students to learn and flourish. The following attributes characterize New Paltz s unique approach to liberal education: A degree and an education New Paltz alumni take with them a degree that will open doors to career opportunities. With that degree comes an education true preparation that goes beyond the piece of paper. It is a New Paltz education, one that retains lifelong relevance through what is required to achieve it: broad and specific knowledge, exposure to many differing perspectives, open-minded inquiry, and a spirit of inventiveness. Creative environment of discovery Creativity permeates campus life at New Paltz. The learning atmosphere at New Paltz has an air of imaginative inquiry that bridges all academic endeavors. The faculty encourage students to question, experiment, and discover in ways that lead to innovative thinking. Engagement through impassioned teaching New Paltz faculty are dedicated to the art and craft of teaching and to developing the kind of mentor relationships that help students succeed. While scholarly activity has an important place at New Paltz, teaching is at its center. The faculty s ultimate goal is to empower each student to engage with the world in meaningful ways. A location for life An unsurpassed location gives New Paltz an enticing, magnetic quality. The College is situated in a dynamic town in a stunning natural setting with world-class connections. Students, faculty, and staff alike find an outstanding quality of life here. They quickly discover superb opportunities for local cultural and recreational enjoyment, while still being close to the countless advantages of New York City. Come as you are New Paltz is a place that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, political views, and ambitions. This warm, accepting environment makes New Paltz an ideal place for students to explore and flourish. Recent Rankings 2 SUNY New Paltz 2013 School of Business earns Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International accreditation, a distinction held by only 5% of business schools worldwide U.S. News and World Report 2013 College Rankings (#7 among best public regional universities in the North, #32 among private and public universities in the North. New Paltz listed in top 10 Best Public Regional Universities in the North in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.) Kiplinger s Personal Finance 2012 Top 100 Best Values in Public Higher Education (#44) The Princeton Review 2013 Guide to 322 Green Colleges 2012 The Princeton Review 2012 Guide to 322 Green Colleges U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools for Fine Arts (#83) The Princeton Review 2012 Best Value Colleges

3 A Major Regional Enterprise SUNY New Paltz contributes $338M annually to the Hudson Valley economy S UNY New Paltz has played a pivotal role in the growth, vitality, and welfare of its home, its neighboring communities, and the region. Through its mission of education, professional achievement, business development, and civic engagement, the College stands among the Hudson Valley s most valuable resources. Faces of New Paltz New Paltz is a place for you to learn and become a part of something that you re passionate about. For me, that was (student newspaper) The Oracle. It s been a defining experience in my time here. I wouldn t trade it for anything. This significance is felt strongly through its economic impact in the region. New Paltz serves as a powerful engine whose influence resonates far beyond its 216-acre campus. Now more than ever, the College remains committed to its roles as educator, neighbor, and business partner. The SUNY New Paltz Ecomonic Impact Study, conducted in 2010, illustrates the College s significant economic contribution to the Hudson Valley and New York State. 3,331 Hudson Valley jobs 3,981 New York State jobs (map shows employee salary percentages by county; only counties with.5% or greater are shown in orange) Albany 1% Greene.9% Ulster 72.5% Hometown: Midland Park, NJ Major: Journalism Working in the Catskills, near my hometown, near my school was probably the best time of my life. We are lucky to be in an area that has awesome geology locally. Dutchess 9.5% Sullivan.6% Andrew Wyrich Class of 2013 Orange 8.2% Westchester.7% Rockland.6% New York.7% More than $338 million in economic activity and 3,331 jobs annually to the Hudson Valley economy ($398.6 million and 3,981 jobs to New York State). New Paltz is the third-largest employer in Ulster County, with a salary expenditure of $67.5 million, 92 percent of which ($62.3 million) is paid directly in the Hudson Valley, with an additional 7 percent paid within New York State. As a result, 99 percent ($66.6 million) of salaries paid stay in New York State, which translates to $128.7 million for the Hudson Valley economy and $143.7 million for New York State. Nearly $54 million spent on goods and services, resulting in more than $17 million paid in the Hudson Valley, more than $35 million paid in New York State, and the creation of more than 200 regional jobs and nearly 500 state jobs. Nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students generate a regional impact of more than $100 million and more than 1,200 jobs, and a statewide impact of more than $180 million and just over 1,400 jobs. Events such as Reunion Weekend, Parents Weekend, Commence- Suffolk.6% ment, Orientation, exhibitions at the Dorsky Museum, and athletic events result in millions of dollars spent on lodging, meals, recreation, transportation, and other goods and services (an average of $144/day for overnight visits and $67.50/day for day trips, according to Ulster County Tourism). A 2010 survey revealed that New Paltz students average more than 22,000 overnight visitors and nearly 40,000 day visitors annually, resulting in an impact of more than $7 million regionally and more than $7 million statewide. Much of our influence is incalculable, as the College and the larger New Paltz community are inextricably linked. Community members, schools, and businesses aid our endeavors by hiring students, offering internships, participating in research collaborations, providing guest speakers, mentoring, and generally supporting educational activities. More than 51,000 working-age New Paltz graduates generate more than $920 million in value-added earnings (beyond what they d make with just a high school diploma). New Paltz estimates 44 percent of these earnings stay in the Hudson Valley, and 71 percent in New York State. Amie Staley Class of 2013 Hometown: Kingston, NY Major: Geology I ve learned how to own my voice, my story, my history, and my future I ve learned to take what I learned in class and use it to change the lives of others. I ve learned to love myself and to use myself to my full capacity. Jada Young Class of 2013 Hometown: Staten Island, NY Major: Black Studies SUNY New Paltz 3

4 Engaging with the Community N ew Paltz is proud to have a committed workforce that embraces the values of volunteerism and community service. In one year, 79 percent of the College s personnel volunteered their time. Ninety percent contributed clothes, food, or toys, and 64 percent volunteered their professional skills to individuals or groups. Through our various institutes, educational projects, and nonprofit ventures, we offer a variety of programs, conferences, and professional development opportunities for the community, region, and state. Legislative Gazette The Legislative Gazette is produced under the direction of New Paltz s Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO). Since 1978, the semester-long Gazette program has become the premier public affairs reporting internship program in New York State. Institute for Disaster Mental Health Working in collaboration with academic departments, the division of student affairs (Psychological Counseling Center), and community leaders, the Institute for Disaster Mental Health offers education and training in disaster mental health for students, professionals, and paraprofessionals, including conferences and workshops that reflect recent research and best practices. Hudson Valley Writing Project A site of the National Writing Project, HVWP provides powerful learning opportunities for educators in the Hudson Valley region, including access to a local network to share teaching experiences and study exemplary literacy practices with colleagues; school and school-district access to high-quality professional development responsive to teachers knowledge and interests as well as school and community needs; and student access to reading, writing, and thinking experiences that prepare them to participate in, and contribute to, their communities. Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz (the Dorsky) is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system, with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over six galleries. The Dorsky s permanent collection comprises more than 5,000 works of art, with areas of focus that include American Art with an 4 SUNY New Paltz The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art emphasis on the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions, 19th, 20th and 21st century photography, and metals. Eight exhibitions and more than 22 programs were presented at the Dorsky in 2012, attracting more than 12,000 visitors. School of Science and Engineering The number of students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at New Paltz has increased by more than 50 percent in the past five years. The recent addition of many new faculty across the School of Science and Engineering who are both excellent teachers and scholars, as well as the excellent overall reputation of New Paltz and its ideal location, have created an active and exciting atmosphere in the STEM disciplines. The John R. Kirk Planetarium and Smolen Observatory offer monthly programs that are open and free to the public. Events such as Family Mole Night, hosted annually by the Chemistry Department, introduce children from the local community to fun and playful ways of learning about science. INSTITUTE FOR DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH (IDMH) students at 2010 commemoration of 9/11 (left to right): Front: Jessica Lester 11 (Psychology); Alana Doran 11 (Psychology); Storey Day 11 (Psychology); Nekisha Walters 11 (English/Psychology); Rachael Bisceglie 11g (School Counseling), Graduate Assistant, IDMH. Back: Kristen Fox 10g (Mental Health Counseling); Jessica Purcell 09g (Mental Health Counseling); Meredith Johnson 09g (Mental Health Counseling), Coordinator, IDMH; James Halpern, Director, IDMH Business Support Center and Business Institute The Business Institute and the Business Support Center in our School of Business serve businesses and regional economic development entities who seek to tap the knowledge, energy and resources of SUNY New Paltz. The Business Support Center works closely with the Small Business Development Center, SUNY Ulster Entrepreneurship Center, Ulster County Development Corporation, Council of Industry, The Solar Energy Consortium, and other economic development organizations in the region. The Graduate School Our graduate programs are key to educating an advanced workforce for the Hudson Valley and we are committed to refining and growing our graduate offerings. Our strengths have been in teacher education and school administration, business, the arts, and engineering. We have the only undergraduate baccalaureate and graduate engineering programs in the region, and are either developing or considering the development of new programs that we think will contribute to workforce needs. The School of Science & Engineering Our strong ties with business and industry, coupled with opportunities for research, internships and cooperative education, provide New Paltz students unparalleled experiences.

5 From public education to public service: New Paltz alumni in the New York State Legislature Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D) Assembly District 103 Assemblyman Cahill earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from SUNY New Paltz in 1977 before graduating from Albany Law School in Cahill served on the Ulster County Legislature as minority leader from 1986 to 1992 and then as Assemblyman for the 101st district (now the 103rd) from 1993 to He was re-elected to the Assembly in 1998 and has held the incumbency since Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R/C/I) Senate District 1 Senator LaValle earned his Master of Science in Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1964, after receiving his bachelor s degree from Adelphi College in He then attained a Juris Doctorate from Touro College s Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in LaValle was first elected to represent the New York State Senate s District 1 in He was appointed as chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in 1979 and then to the New York State Commission on Higher Education in Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D) Assembly District 104 Assemblyman Skartados earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from SUNY New Paltz in He earned his master s degree in international studies at California State University, Sacramento. He was elected to represent the state s 100th Assembly District (now the 104th) from 2008 to 2010 after narrowly defeating incumbent Thomas Kirwan. When Kirwan died in 2011, Skartados won a special election for the vacant seat in March He has since held the incumbency. Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R/C/I) Assembly District 12 Assemblyman Raia graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor s degree in political science in Prior to being elected to the state Assembly, Raia served as a leading staff member in the offices of the Assembly, the Senate, and the Suffolk County Legislature. He was elected to represent the 9th Assembly district (now District 12) in 2003 and has held the incumbency since. Improving our Campus I n keeping with changing demands, advances in technology, and aesthetic considerations, the landscape of the New Paltz campus has seen dramatic improvements in recent years. The College has experienced the most significant investment of state funding for building renovation and construction since the Rockefeller era. n The Atrium, an award-winning, n The oldest building on cam- ecofriendly, 15,000-square foot glass-enclosed student space, was completed in pus, Old Main, was updated in 2011 and is now one of the most modern and greenest academic buildings on campus. p A new science building is planned and slated for construction, upon the release of funds which have already been allocated for the project. To be located on the northwestern corner of campus, the building will act as a gateway to the college. u The first portion of Mohonk Walk, a treelined pedestrian path, was completed in summer, n The Wooster building will become a student services hub that will contain vital offices, academic departments, a dining area and a loft-style lounge. SUNY New Paltz 5

6 CRREO: An overview By Gerald Benjamin, director of CRREO, associate vice president for regional engagement, and a professor of political science at SUNY New Paltz Inspired by the Wisconsin Idea of the university in service to the community, the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach was established in 2008 to support informed, evidence-based decision making by Hudson Valley citizens and policymakers on matters of regional concern. Through research, publications, conferences, activities internal to the university, testimony at public meetings, and partnerships with local leaders, the Center acts to advance both the Power of SUNY commitment to creating vibrant communities in New York and three key elements of the SUNY New Paltz institutional vision: linking student intellectual growth with faculty scholarship; helping to meet regional economic needs; and serving as a cultural and intellectual hub. Initial funding to launch the Center was obtained with the assistance of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and then-u.s. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Research has ranged across a great array of substantive areas, including: local government reform and restructuring; regional planning and service delivery; sustainability; intergovernmental collaboration; local public finance; advancing best practices in key areas of policy and administration; needs assessment for regional governments and not-for-profits; and performance evaluation of public programs and agencies. Discussion Briefs two of which are summarized here are written to provide succinct, unbiased information on a specific topic. They are disseminated in print and electronically. Within six months of the release of each Discussion Brief, CRREO organizes an on-campus conference to advance the work s impact, usually with co-sponsorship to encourage wide participation. We welcome suggestions of topics of regional interest for the Discussion Brief series at crreo@newpaltz.edu. Optimizing sustainable water quality practices By K.T. Tobin, a New Paltz alumna (sociology, class of 1992), associate director of CRREO, and an adjunct faculty member in New Paltz s Department of Sociology CRREO s Planning and Implementing Green Infrastructure to Improve Watershed Resiliency project seeks to address climate change, reduce flooding, improve water quality, and restore watersheds. Collaborative partners include Cornell University s Water Resources Institute, the Hudson River Estuary Program, and the Village of New Paltz. Green infrastructure and stormwater management practices will be implemented on and near the campus: a permeable pavement parking lot; vegetated swales adjacent to residence halls; enhanced bioretention areas and rain gardens; and stream daylighting to decrease the impact of northern campus stormwater runoff into the surrounding village. An interpretive map and walking tour of the project s elements is being developed and constructed with educational and interpretive signage to highlight these practices on campus and in the village. Learning modules for K-12 environmental curriculum are being developed by faculty member Rosemary Millham (Education) to accompany walking tour field trips. Professor David Richardson (Biology) is leading a faculty-student research team monitoring water quality in the watershed. Interdisciplinary watershed management educational activities and materials with a focus on climate change, flooding, and stormwater management are being created and implemented for the Environmental Studies curriculum, including hands-on field work. This will include both natural and social science elements of sustainable water, policy development, planning, implementation, and assessment. 6 SUNY New Paltz Toward an understanding of food insecurity in Ulster County By Sue Books, professor of secondary education at SUNY New Paltz Center F or r esearc h, r egional edu C ation and o utreac h s tate university of new york at new paltz Food Insecurity in Ulster County Discussion Brief #9 Fall 2012 Sue Books CRREO s Discussion Brief on Food Insecurity in Ulster County arose from an observation by leaders in fighting hunger in our county that the full dimensions of the problem were not well understood. UlsterCorps, a nonprofit organization that connects volunteers with other local organizations and has been active in trying to ameliorate hunger, sought a study. To do the work, we considered a The Regional Well-Being Project, launched in 2008 with funding from the U. S. Department of Education, identified shared community values and developed ways of measuring communities progress in maximizing realization of these values. Members of the CRREO staff, SUNY New Paltz faculty and students, and a diverse group of business people, professional practitioners, local governmental officials, environ- range of federal and state data and interviewed 31 human services professionals, volunteers running food pantries and soup kitchens, researchers affiliated with advocacy groups, and school lunch program directors all of whom are working on the frontlines against hunger and food insecurity. The key findings: Three out of every 20 Ulster County residents and four out of every 20 children experience food insecurity from time to time. At high risk are (1) low-income residents in rural parts of Ulster County (where there are no full-service groceries); (2) lowincome seniors who are eligible for, but do not receive, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; (3) adults (a group experiencing poverty in starkly higher numbers in recent years); and (4) children in low-income families with no replacement for free or reduced-price school meals when school is out. Those eligible for federal benefits Assessing values and measuring progress through CRREO s Regional Well-Being Project By K.T. Tobin, a New Paltz alumna (sociology, class of 1992), associate director of CRREO, and an adjunct faculty member in New Paltz s Department of Sociology mentalists, economic developers, and educators met to articulate, prioritize, and establish ways to measure progress toward shared regional values. In 2010, CRREO released the Regional Well-Being Index, a single measure of well-being in Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties and the Mid-Hudson region as a whole. Selected economic, environmental, and social indicators were combined in accord with rigorous statistical standards. Detailed meaoften forego them. Overall, only about 65 percent of Ulster County residents who are eligible for SNAP benefits are receiving them. Also, in all but one of the county s school districts, participation in the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program drops off between middle and high school, which suggests that many older students are opting out. Donations from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley to member organizations spike in July and August, which suggests that when school is out (and low-income children do not eat meals at school), families are turning to food banks and soup kitchens. In 2013, interviewees and other key stakeholders gathered at New Paltz to brainstorm next steps, including how best to respond to the need to provide meals to low-income children during school vacations and to de-stigmatize participation in a lunch program. sures of conditions were documented in the areas of economy, education, environment, community, equity, governance, health, arts and culture, and safety. We hope the Regional Well-Being reports dramatize how much a regional vision in the Mid-Hudson is broadly shared, and provide a continuing agreed focus on how we may together progress toward agreed goals, said CRREO Director Gerald Benjamin.

7 Mapping our communities By Joshua Simons, a New Paltz alumnus (political science, class of 2008), and senior research associate at CRREO Applied research and evaluation By Eve Waltermaurer, director of research and evaluation at CRREO and an associate professor of sociology at SUNY New Paltz Any data that can be associated with a place may be mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), allowing users to powerfully view, interpret, and visualize data to reveal relationships, patterns, and trends. CRREO has used GIS to map community assets, enhance research reports, analyze and perform state and local legislative redistricting, and coupled with online technologies, create interactive repositories of information. In 2010, CRREO was commissioned by the Town of New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission to develop an online interactive map to display information about 1,669 properties of historic significance in the Town and Village of New Paltz. Under my direction, a diverse group of students majoring in history, computer science, geography, communications, and English worked together on various stages of creating the map, the website, an interactive settlement and expansion demonstration app, and a promotional video. In addition, they systematically enhanced the site with additional data, photographs, maps, and other media. The unique result has drawn attention from other communities and statewide. ( hpc.townofnewpaltz.com.) Decennial redistricting is constitutionally required in all municipalities that employ ward systems for the election of their boards, councils, or legislatures. In 2012, the City of Oneonta Redistricting Commission sought assistance for redrawing its ward boundaries. Under contract with the city, CRREO was there to advise, offer expertise, and assist with the mapping of wards boundaries. This included the creation of a Google Maps website ( google.com/site/oneontaredistricting) as a repository for information, a tool for communication, and a method of sharing the various iterations of the redistricting plan. A widely supported plan was adopted by the Council and Mayor, and will go into effect in the next election cycle. Revitalizing agriculture and supporting community By Brian Obach, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology at SUNY New Paltz The applied research and evaluation arm of CRREO works with numerous nonprofit and governmental agencies across the Hudson Valley to provide a range of services for funded projects and grant proposals, including program evaluation, data analysis, and performance measurement. For example, we are currently working with the Ulster County Public Health Department to develop their state-mandated Community Health Assessment. This assessment will detail, in depth and breadth, diseases and associated health conditions, underlying causes of poor health, and health prevention systems in place across the county. The project draws from national, statewide, and county-level health data, community forums, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Three primary, interrelated outcomes are contemplated. First, a current, comprehensive understanding of the geographic and socioeconomic distribution of problematic health conditions across the county will be generated. Second, the extent and distribution of accessible health care services to deal with these conditions will be documented. Third, longitudinal and state and national comparisons will be used to identify improvements and targeted reductions of each problematic health condition, as well as barriers to care in the current environment. Outcomes will be presented in a way that is accessible and sufficiently detailed to be useful for policy development, program planning, and community education. The results of this project will be instrumental in guiding the Ulster County Public Health Department and affiliated health service agencies to define their prevention agenda for the next five years. An additional benefit will be the creation of a repository of county-level data drawn from hospital admissions, mental health resources, and individual health-related agencies. This repository will provide multiple county agencies with a needed source for comprehensive data to assist them in obtaining future funding to enhance services in the county. For a time it appeared as if farming might disappear from the Mid-Hudson region as a result of development pressure and competition from large agribusiness producers in other regions and from outside the U.S. Acreage under cultivation and the number of farms decreased dramatically over the last century. But the farms that survived have experienced increased sales in recent years. And they have been joined by a number of new startups that have tapped growing interest in local food, utilizing some novel and some rediscovered forms of marketing. CRREO s Discussion Brief, Agriculture Supporting Community in the Mid-Hudson Region, found that very small enterprises account for much of farming s growth here. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, which link consumers directly with a local farm by selling shares of the harvest made available for weekly pick-up, are just one example of the new forms of distribution that small farmers have adopted. Farmers markets are also on the rise, and many retailers, large and small, now feature local goods. The CRREO study found that this agricultural rebirth not only promises economic benefits and a means to preserve the agricultural landscape, but that interest in local farming is also tied to renewed civic engagement. Those who utilize farmers markets or local grocers carrying regional products or who belong to CSAs tend to vote more, volunteer more, and have more positive views of their community. This suggests that local farms and local food can strengthen regional identity, community ties, and a sense of place that is vital for a healthy democracy. A conference titled Mid-Hudson Agriculture: Growing Our Economies and Our Communities was organized to discuss discussion brief findings and develop an action agenda. Elected officeholders, policy officials, farmers, food distributors, retailers, and other experts discussed how to build on the new promise of regional agriculture and what barriers stand in the way of continued growth. Participants considered the important role of regional food processors and distributors, the part that institutional buyers like schools, universities, and hospitals can play, policy reform that would aid New York farmers, and the importance of regional branding for success in the sizable New York City metropolitan area market. CRREO and the student experience By Maureen Morrow, director of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities and an associate professor of biology at SUNY New Paltz CRREO seeks to include paid interns, mostly undergraduate students, in all of its research projects. The Centrino Family Scholarship, provided by New Paltz alumnus Tom Centrino ( 73), is competitively awarded upon the basis of merit and need to a student planning to enter public service. Through a standing arrangement with the Geography Department, CRREO hires a student for a mapping project each semester. In other majors, potential interns are identified as the result of work done in a course taught by a CRREO staff member or on the recommendation of a faculty member. Depending on the nature of the study, students assist with extensive library and Internet-based background research; help compile databases; write annotated bibliographic entries, literature reviews, and memos on particular topics; assist with the production of written, tabular, and visual materials for reports and presentations; attend and participate in research teams; administer surveys both on campus and across the region; and conduct other field research. Over the past five years, CRREO interns have had majors in biology, business, communication, computer science, economics, education, English, environmental science/studies, geography, geology, political science, sociology, and psychology. Student workers have publicly presented their work and are regularly credited for their assistance in CRREO studies and professional publications. SUNY New Paltz 7

8 NEW PALTZ majors: Economics Electrical Engineering English Environmental Geochemical Science Finance General Business Geography Geology Graphic Design History International Business International Relations Journalism Languages, Literatures & Cultures: French & Spanish Latin American & Caribbean Studies Management Marketing Mathematics Media Metal Music Painting Philosophy Photography Physics Political Science Printmaking Psychology Sculpture Sociology Theatre Arts Visual Arts Women s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Faces of New Paltz of New Paltz students earning baccalaureate degrees are from the Hudson Valley, as are 60% of graduate students We offer study abroad programs on six continents Our most recent 6-year graduation rate was 72.9%, and our latest (2012) 4-year graduation rate is 55.1% Median student loan debt: $18,301 (per the Federal Shopping Sheet) New Paltz offers a small-school atmosphere with a curriculum as broad and challenging as larger universities. Approximately 100 undergraduate degree programs span the liberal arts and sciences with professional programs in the fine and performing arts, education, business, and engineering. Accounting Adolescence Education Anthropology Art Education Art History Asian Studies Astronomy Biochemistry Biology Black Studies Ceramics Chemistry Communication Studies Communication Disorders Computer Engineering Computer Science Digital Media Production Digital Media Programming & Management Early Childhood & Childhood Education 50% The electrical engineering program seemed very attractive to me, as well as the school s location and everyday life. Julian de la Rua Class of Hometown: Mar del Plata, Argentina Major: Electrical Engineering 72.9% 18k (845) Prepared by: Office of Communication & Marketing State University of New York at New Paltz Published by: The Legislative Gazette P.O. Box 7329 Albany, NY Tel: OSWEGO ALBANY BUFFALO GENESEO ONEONTA 70 MI LES BINGHAMTON NEW PALTZ STONY BROOK NEW YORK CITY