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Alfred State College

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Aerial view of Alfred State College taken in April 2006. Alfred University is shown in the upper right and Alfred, NY appears to the right
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Aerial view of Alfred State College taken in April 2006. Alfred University is shown in the upper right and Alfred, NY appears to the right

Alfred State College is a State University of New York college located in Alfred, New York in Allegany County. This college, formerly the Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred, now grants baccalaureate degrees in thirteen areas, associate degrees in nearly sixty areas, as well as a number of certificates. The primary focus of the college is technology.

In 2003, Alfred State College and its neighbor Alfred University entered into merger talks that were eventually abandoned in the face of opposition from students, faculty, and alumni from both institutions, many of whom viewed the missions of the two colleges as largely incongruous.

Internal Relations Controversy

Shortly after the installation of Dr. Uma Gupta as president in August 2003, several members of the faculty and staff expressed complaints of "retaliatory firings, intimidation, threats and abuse'" These complaints included the termination of John Anderson, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and who had also been a candidate for president, and a College employee with over 20 years of service.

In March, 2005 Dr. Gupta removed Jim Grillo, Vice President for Administration and Enrollment, an employee of the college for almost two decades and Dr. Karla Back, Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Back, who was removed from office just eight months after taking the job, was Anderson's successor and had been handpicked by Dr. Gupta. The removal of Mr. Grillo and Dr. Back were prompted by their request to SUNY System Administration in Albany for advice and assistance in dealing with increasingly difficult leadership problems involving Dr. Gupta. At the time, SUNY ignored the request and stated that it had "full confidence" in Dr. Gupta. (For details on the controvery see a [blog] and [discussion board] that followed the growing controversy.)

In December 2005, a team of officials from the State University of New York launched an inquiry to review the complaints targeting Gupta. They urged in their report that Dr. Gupta break "the cycle of administrative turnover" and improve communications with the staff. The report also went on to recommend a neutral, state-approved campus administrator to handle internal relations.

Attention to the growing problems at Alfed State College was generated by a [New York Times article] that reported on the inquiry. In response to the Times story, John W. Hasper, Alfred State College Council Chair, wrote: "Yesterday's article may give the impression that Alfred State College is a campus in turmoil. I can assure you that this is simply not true. In fact, there are many positive indicators that point to a vibrant, successful college on many levels."

"The College Council strongly endorses and enthusiastically supports the leadership of President Gupta. We are confident that under her leadership Alfred State will achieve its vision of being an internationally recognized technology institution," Mr. Hasper said.

Dr. Anne Huot was subsequently appointed by the Chancellor's office to serve as a mediator and determine the long-term future of a the college.

On June 14, 2006, Chancellor John Ryan announced that Dr. Gupta had accepted his "invitation" to leave the presidency of Alfred State College for a minor administrative position with SUNY System Administration in Albany, New York. A few days later the location of that assignment was unexpectedly changed to the SUNY Brockport campus near Rochester, New York.

Dr. John B. Clark was appointed interim president and took office on July 1, 2006.

Degrees Offered

External links

 

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