Buffalo State University

Last updated
Buffalo State University
Elmwood entrance, Buffalo State University.jpg
Former names
  • Buffalo Normal School (1871–1888)
  • State Normal and Training School (1888–1927)
  • State Teachers College at Buffalo (1928–1946)
  • New York State College for Teachers at Buffalo (1946–1950)
  • SUNY, New York State College for Teachers (1950–1951)
  • State University College for Teachers at Buffalo (1951–1959)
  • State University College of Education at Buffalo (1960–1961)
  • State University College at Buffalo (1961–2023)
MottoDedicated to Excellence
Type Public university
EstablishedSeptember 13, 1871;153 years ago (1871-09-13)
Parent institution
State University of New York
Academic affiliation
CUMU
Endowment $52.9 million (2019) [1]
Chancellor John B. King Jr.
President Bonita R. Durand (interim)
Provost Amitra Wall (interim)
Academic staff
  • Fall 2021: [2]
  • Full-time: 340
  • Part-time: 337
  • Grad. asst.: 35
Students6,405 (Fall 2023) [2]
Undergraduates 5,306 (Fall 2023) [2]
Postgraduates 806 (Fall 2023) [2]
Location,
U.S.
Campus Urban, 125 acres (51 ha)
Colors
  • Burnt orange, purple, warm gray, and cool gray [3]
  •     
Nickname Bengals
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III
MascotBenji the Bengal
Website suny.buffalostate.edu
Buffalo State College logo.svg

The State University of New York Buffalo State University [4] [5] (colloquially referred to as Buffalo State University, SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo State, or simply Buff State) [6] [7] is a public university in Buffalo, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Buffalo State University was founded in 1871 as the Buffalo Normal School to train teachers. It offers 79 undergraduate majors with 11 honors options, 11 post baccalaureate teacher certification programs, and 64 graduate programs. [8]

Contents

42°56′05″N78°53′02″W / 42.9347°N 78.8839°W / 42.9347; -78.8839

History

Buffalo State was founded in 1871 as the Buffalo Normal School before becoming the State Normal and Training School (1888–1927), the State Teachers College at Buffalo (1928–1946), the New York State College for Teachers at Buffalo (1946–1950), SUNY, New York State College for Teachers (1950–1951), the State University College for Teachers at Buffalo (1951–1959), the State University College of Education at Buffalo (1960–1961), State University College at Buffalo (1961), and SUNY Buffalo State University in 2023. [6] [5]

Eighty-six students attended the Buffalo Normal School on the first day of classes on September 13, 1871. The school's purpose was to provide a uniform training program for teachers to serve Buffalo's fast-growing public school population. Curricular offerings now include more than 250 undergraduate and graduate programs.

The WWII years were another time of growth for the college; in 1944, the now renowned Special Education program was founded and in 1948, the first dormitory building was erected where the present-day Moot Hall is located. In 1961, Buffalo State was the first institution in the SUNY system to offer a study-abroad program, a semester-long immersion program in Siena, Italy. International study programs now include international exchange and study-abroad programs in Australia, Canada, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, and Spain.

In 1964, the Buffalo State University Planetarium opened its doors with a 24-foot dome, and Dr. James Orgren became the facility's director in 1966. On November 17, 1978, a fire destroyed the facility, but the community's generosity allowed it to reopen on April 18, 1980. In April 1982, it was renamed the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium in honor of its greatest benefactor. In 1984, Dr. Orgren hired Mr. Arthur Gielow as his successor. Mr. Gielow died in 2010, and after a brief remodeling, the planetarium reopened in 2011 under the direction of Dr. Kevin Williams. In January 2013, the planetarium hosted a closing ceremony that highlighted its 48-year history. Through 2010–2012, staff members Tim Collins, Stephen Dubois and Terry Farrell created several programs. In 2015, a generous donation allowed the planetarium to reopen with a temporary 20-foot inflatable fulldome system. The new 35-foot dome facility is now open in the Science And Math Complex building.

Campus

Buffalo state has 29 buildings including student centers, academic buildings, athletics buildings, office buildings, and residence halls. Buffalo State is undergoing a $350 million campus-wide improvement project. In 2011, a $45 million Student Apartment Complex opened on the west side of campus. It is Buffalo State's largest addition to campus student housing since the early 1970s. [9]

Academics

Buffalo State University Graduation, 1997 Buffalo State College Graduation, 1997.jpg
Buffalo State University Graduation, 1997
Buffalo State University Student Affairs Vice President and Dean of Students Phillip Santa Maria (1943-2005) speaking at MOOG Leadership Weekend, East Aurora, New York, 2000 Buffalo State College Student Affairs Vice President and Dean of Students Phillip Santa Maria Speaking at MOOG, Elma, New York, 2000.jpg
Buffalo State University Student Affairs Vice President and Dean of Students Phillip Santa Maria (1943–2005) speaking at MOOG Leadership Weekend, East Aurora, New York, 2000

Buffalo State has 79 undergraduate majors with 11 honors options and 64 opportunities for graduate study, including 11 teacher certification programs. Fifty-one faculty members have been awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and seven have been honored as SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professors. [12]

More than 80 percent of all classes at Buffalo State have fewer than 40 students. Classes for undergraduate majors usually have between 12 and 15 students. [13] As of 2016, 49 Buffalo State faculty members have been awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. [14]

Schools

Buffalo State is composed of three schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of the Professions.

Programs and centers

Programs available at Buffalo State that are not offered at any other SUNY institution include adult education, applied economics, art conservation, communication design, creativity, fashion and textile technology, fiber design, forensic chemistry, metal/jewelry design, higher education administration, urban and regional planning, and wood/furniture design. Buffalo State was the first school in the world to grant a master of science in creativity.[ citation needed ] The university also now offers an undergraduate minor in Creative Studies. [15] Both programs are offered through the International Center for Studies in Creativity, which is housed on campus. Buffalo State has 12 centers promoting growth and excellence.

Others include:

Aerial view SUNY at Buffalo State.jpg
Aerial view

Rankings

Buffalo State was ranked 31 in the category Top Public Schools Regional Universities (North) by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2012." When all public and private institutions are included, Buffalo State is ranked 110 in the Top Regional Universities (North) Tier 1, as of 2016. [17] In the same report in 2012, it ranked 73rd nationally for graduate schools in speech-language pathology. [18] Ranking Web of Universities ranks Buffalo State 4 out of 100 top universities in the Northern Region of the United States and 1,000 out of the top 12,000 in the world. [19] International Colleges & Universities ranks Buffalo State as the 17th best university in New York State out of 145. [20]

Student life

Demographics

There are 8,082 undergraduates and 1,036 graduate students enrolled. [21] The undergraduate population (Fall 2018) was 43 percent male and 57 percent female. The overall admission rate of new students (2016) was 62 percent. [22]

United Students Government

United Students Government (USG) represents the student body in campus governance and helps administrate student activities and organizations. USG provides activities, services, and student representation at Buffalo State. USG is headed by an executive branch of students elected each year along with a judicial branch and senate elected at the same time. USG manages and disperses money provided by the mandatory student activity fee to the many organizations and clubs on campus.

Athletics

Buffalo State's sports teams are known as the Bengals. Buffalo State competes in 16 varsity sports within NCAA Division III.

Club sports

Buffalo State also has four club sports funded by the United Students Government (USG): men's club hockey, co-ed rowing, men's rugby, and women's rugby. [23]

Greek life

Cock-a-doodle-doo (1981) sculpture by Billie Lawless in front of Upton Hall Buff state art.JPG
Cock-a-doodle-doo (1981) sculpture by Billie Lawless in front of Upton Hall

Buffalo State has an Inter-Greek Association to support the operation of fraternities and sororities on campus. There are 11 fraternities and sororities recognized at Buffalo State. [24]

Media

Art

The campus's Burchfield Penney Art Center, founded in 1966, moved to its new $33 million facility in 2008. The Burchfield Penney features the work of Western New York artists and houses one of the world's largest collections of work by watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield (1893–1967). The historic Buffalo AKG Art Museum, which showcases modern and contemporary art, is located across the street from the campus. Students can purchase discount passes in the Student Union. There are also a number of other art galleries [25] nearby.

Notable people

Buffalo State has 100,000 alumni living in 119 countries throughout the world. Ninety-seven percent live in the United States, and 71 percent live in New York State. The five most popular majors among alumni were elementary education (15,538), art education (4,249), exceptional education (4,180), business studies (3,979), and criminal justice (3,911).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York</span> Public university system in New York state

The State University of New York is a system of public colleges and universities in the State of New York. It is one of the largest comprehensive systems of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States. Led by chancellor John B. King, the SUNY system has 91,182 employees, including 32,496 faculty members, and some 7,660 degree and certificate programs overall and a $13.37 billion budget. Its flagship universities are SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island in southeastern New York and SUNY Buffalo in the west. Its research university centers also include SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Albany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radford University</span> Public university in Radford, Virginia, US

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia, United States. It is one of the state's eight doctorate-granting public universities. Founded in 1910, Radford offers curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A., M.A., M.S., Ed.S., Psy.D., M.S.W., and specialized doctoral programs in health-related professions. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stony Brook University</span> Public university in Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University (SBU), officially the State University of New York at Stony Brook, is a public research university in the Stony Brook, New York area, United States, on Long Island. Along with the University at Buffalo, it is one of the State University of New York system's two flagship institutions. Its campus consists of 213 buildings on over 1,454 acres of land in Suffolk County and it is the largest public university in the state of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binghamton University</span> Public university in Vestal, New York, US

The State University of New York at Binghamton is a public research university in Greater Binghamton, New York, United States. It is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Purchase</span> Public college in Purchase, New York, US

The State University of New York at Purchase, commonly referred to as Purchase College or SUNY Purchase, is a public liberal arts college in Purchase, New York. Established in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, SUNY Purchase is one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

The State University of New York at Buffalo is a public research university with campuses in Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. The university was founded in 1846 as a private medical college and merged with the State University of New York system in 1962. As of 2022, it is one of two flagship institutions of the SUNY system, along with Stony Brook University. As of fall 2020, the university enrolled 32,347 students in 13 schools and colleges, making it the largest public university in the state of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University at Albany, SUNY</span> State university in Albany, New York

The State University of New York at Albany is a public research university with campuses in Albany, Rensselaer, and Guilderland, New York. Founded in 1844, it is one of four "university centers" of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at New Paltz</span> Public university in New Paltz, New York

The State University of New York at New Paltz is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It traces its origins to the New Paltz Classical School, a secondary institution founded in 1828 and reorganized as an academy in 1833.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Fredonia</span> Public university in Fredonia, New York

The State University of New York at Fredonia is a public university in Fredonia, New York. It is the westernmost member of the State University of New York. Founded in 1826, it is the sixty-sixth-oldest institute of higher education in the United States, seventh-oldest college in New York, and second-oldest public school in New York after SUNY Potsdam (1816).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Geneseo</span> Public university in Geneseo, New York

The State University of New York College at Geneseo is a public liberal arts college in Geneseo, New York. It is New York's public honors college and part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The college was founded in 1867 as the Wadsworth Normal and Training School before it became part of the new State University of New York system as a state liberal arts college in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Oswego</span> Public college in Oswego, New York, US

State University of New York at Oswego is a public university in Oswego, New York. It has a total student population of 6,756 and the campus size is 700 acres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Plattsburgh</span> Public university in Plattsburgh, New York, U.S.

The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is a public university in Plattsburgh, New York. The university was founded in 1889 and officially opened in 1890. The university is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. SUNY Plattsburgh has 5,109 students, of whom 4,680 are undergraduates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Potsdam</span> Public college in Potsdam, New York

The State University of New York at Potsdam is a public college in Potsdam, New York. Founded in 1816, it is the northernmost member of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, it is composed of the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Education and Professional Studies, and the Crane School of Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Oneonta</span> Public university in Oneonta, New York

The State University of New York at Oneonta, also known as SUNY Oneonta, is a public university in Oneonta, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Canton</span> Public college in Canton, New York, US

The State University of New York at Canton is a public college in Canton, New York, United States. It is part of the State University of New York. The college offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus State University</span> Public university in Columbus, Georgia, US

Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

In the U.S. state of New York, public education is overseen by the University of the State of New York (USNY), its policy-setting Board of Regents, and its administrative arm, the New York State Education Department; this includes all public primary, middle-level, and secondary education in the state. The New York City Department of Education, which manages the public school system in New York City, is the largest school district in the United States, with more students than the combined population of eight U.S. states. Over 1 million students are taught in more than 1,200 separate public and private schools throughout the state.

Satish K. Tripathi is an Indian-American academic, a computer scientist and academic administrator. He is the first foreign-born president of the University at Buffalo (UB), the flagship of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Previously, he served as provost of University at Buffalo from 2004 to 2011. From 1997-2004, Tripathi served as dean of the Bourns College of Engineering at University of California, Riverside.

The Association of North American Graduate Programs in the Conservation of Cultural Property, better known by its acronym ANAGPIC, is an annual student conference held by the North American conservation graduate programs. The conference sees students present lectures of the highest caliber, sharing their research, leadership, and training with peers and faculty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SUNY Polytechnic Institute</span> Polytechnic university in Marcy, New York

The State University of New York Polytechnic Institute is a public university in Marcy, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, serving as its institute of technology. The university, formerly the SUNY Institute of Technology, has a Utica, New York mailing address and was established in 1987.

References

  1. "SUNY Buffalo State – Profile, Rankings and Data". US News Best Colleges. U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "College Navigator – SUNY Buffalo State". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  3. "Buffalo State – Visual Identity Program". buffalostate.edu. 2013. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  4. "About Us | Art Conservation Department | SUNY Buffalo State College". artconservation.buffalostate.edu. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Buffalo State Formally Recognized as a University". SUNY Buffalo State College. 2023-01-10. Archived from the original on 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  6. 1 2 buffalostate.edu (2009). "Buffalo State College Guidelines" (PDF). Buffalo State College. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  7. State, Buffalo. "Buffalo State-Specific Editorial Style – College Relations – Buffalo State College". collegerelations.buffalostate.edu. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  8. "Academics | SUNY Buffalo State College". suny.buffalostate.edu. Archived from the original on 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  9. Kline, Allissa (September 27, 2010). "Growth spurt at Buffalo State". Buffalo Law Journal. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  10. Phillip Santa Maria Memorial Award Archived March 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY: Buffalo State College, 2011, Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  11. Phil Santa Maria Award for Student Leadership in Equity and Campus Diversity Archived March 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY: Buffalo State College, 2011, Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  12. "About | SUNY Buffalo State College". suny.buffalostate.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  13. "State University of New York College at Buffalo Facility Profile" (PDF). SUNY.edu. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  14. "Buffalo State Academic Affairs Faculty Recognition". buffalostate.edu. 2016. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  15. "Undergraduate Programs – SUNY Buffalo State". suny.buffalostate.edu. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  16. "nutrient stoichiometry and lake budgets". Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  17. "Ranking". www.usnews.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  18. "U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings: Buffalo State College—SUNY". U.S. News & World Report. 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  19. Ranking Web of World Universities (2011). "Top Universities Regional North". Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  20. International Colleges & Universities (2011). "Universities in New York by 2011 University Web Ranking". 4icu.org. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  21. Buffalo State College at a Glance. "Buffalo State at a Glance". Archived from the original on 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  22. collegesofdistinction.com (2015). "Colleges of Distinction Profile: Buffalo State College". Colleges of Distinction. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  23. "Club Sports". Buffalo State USG. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  24. "List of Recognized Fraternities and Sororities". Buffalo State. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  25. "Buffalo Niagara Art Itinerary, Albright Knox Gallery & More". Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  26. About us: President's bio: Muriel A. Howard, Ph.D. Archived 2014-02-26 at the Wayback Machine , AASCU – American Association of Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, 2013, Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  27. Vice president at UB will head Buffalo State, Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, December 12, 1995, Brady, K., Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  28. Muriel A. Howard – working for a better community [usurped] , Living Prime Time, December 2000, Binder, J., Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  29. Kaiser, Laurie (March 21, 2012). "Alumni Profile: Sylvia Hyman". Buffalo State College. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.