York College, City University of New York
York College is a public senior college in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. It is a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Founded in 1966, York was the first senior college founded under the newly formed CUNY system, which united several previously independent public colleges into a single public university system in 1961. The college is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The college enrolls more than 8,000 students. 35% of undergraduate students graduate within six years. Academics. The college is organized into three schools: the  School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Information Systems, and the School of Health Sciences and Professional Programs. Through those schools, York College offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in over 44 different programs. In addition to the CUNY Aviation Institute, York College is home to the Northeast Regional Office and Laboratory of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The college's approximately 30,000 alumni serve in practically every professional endeavor, including medicine, research, law, business and social work. Approximately 40 percent of York's students study part-time, and in fall 2008 almost 700 new students were transfer  students and over 1,000 were first-time freshmen. Governance. Faculty, students, and administrative staff participate in college governance, which is conducted according to procedures outlined in the bylaws of CUNY and in the York College Charter as approved by the Board of Trustees of CUNY. The York College Senate is the chief legislative body of the college. Reporting to the Senate are various standing college committees, which oversee such matters as curriculum and academic standards. Accreditation. York is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a member of the Association of Colleges and Universities of the  State of New York, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, (CAEP). All education programs are registered by the New York State Department of Education and lead to New York State provisional certification after passing the written parts of the New York State Teacher Certification Examination after students pass the examination. York's Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA); The Physician Assistant Studies Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the  Physician Assistant, Inc.; York's Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and the Nursing Program by the National League for Nursing. A degree in accounting at York College includes all the educational requirements to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting. Graduation rate. Since 1971, York College has conferred 30,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees. York students progress toward graduation at different rates. Most students combine the role of student with that of employee and/or parent which may necessitate part-time enrollment or temporary leaves from their academic pursuits. US News and World Report list  an average 6 year graduation rate of 31%. Location and facilities. At the heart of the 50-acre York College campus is the Academic Core Building, which houses classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, art studios, the library, computer facilities, academic and administrative offices, as well as dining facilities and a bookstore. On adjacent super blocks are located the 1,500 seat Performing Arts Center, the Health and Physical Education facility, which includes a gymnasium and swimming pool, Classroom and Science Buildings, Athletic Fields and parking facilities. The Performing Arts Center was renamed the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center in October 2014  after the York College's second president. Milton G. Bassin, who guided the school during the period from 1971 to 1991 and was instrumental in ensuring the school's survival through the fiscal crisis of the 1970s. Also located on the campus is the Illinois Jacquet Performance Space, dedicated for the famous jazz saxophonist who lived in Addesleigh Park, a jazz enclave in Jamaica. It is on the grounds of the adjacent Prospect Cemetery in the Chapel of the Sisters, the cemetery is on the NRHP. York College Student Activities strives to complement the academic experience with co- and extra -curricular programs that promote social and personal development. York College staff advises and assists student groups in planning social, educational, and recreational programs, and provides opportunities for the development of leadership skills. Academic, social, athletic, cultural, recreational, political, and special interest groups add additional sets of valuable learning experiences for both students and faculty. Student Activities works closely with the Student Government Association (SGA). SGA is composed of students elected by their peers to represent and advocate for all students. Institutes. The CUNY Aviation Institute (AI) at York College was established in 2003 by a grant from the Port Authority  of New York and New Jersey to promote high quality education and research for the aviation industry. The AI is headquartered in New York City and is located on the campus of York College. In cooperation with local, national, and international partners the CUNY Aviation Institute develops teaching materials regarding airlines, airports, service providers, civil aviation authorities, and related industries. Furthermore, the CUNY Aviation Institute develops programs of study at all academic levels, including credit and non-credit courses. The CUNY Aviation Institute also promotes research and academic exchange of ideas in the field of aviation and assists in the  training of professional educators and researchers. CUNY Aviation Institute has a partnership network comprising the private sector, educational institutions, international organizations, trade associations, governments and other bodies with interest in aviation management. Athletics. York competes as an NCAA Division III member of the City University of New York Athletic Conference.