State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a specialized doctoral-granting institution of the State University of New York. Its main campus is located in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, USA, adjacent to Syracuse University. It operates a number of satellite campuses, including the Ranger School in Wanakena, New York, USA. ESF's curriculum focus on the understanding and management of natural resources.
History
ESF was created through a special bill signed by New York's Governor Dix in 1911, which established the College as the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. Unlike other New York state-supported degree-granting institutions which had been created, or would eventually be created, at other private institutions in New York State, the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University was an autonomous instution that was administratively not part of its host instutution. In other words, the forestry college was not administratively part of Syracuse University. This is in contrast to New York's statutory colleges such as the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, which is a part of Cornell University.With the formation of the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1948, the College became recognized as a specialized college within the SUNY system. The College's name was changed to State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University. In 1972, the College's name was changed yet again to State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Campuses
Main Campus
The Syracuse campus is ESF's main campus, and is where most academic and administrative activity takes place. It is made up of seven main buildings:
- Baker Laboratory: Named after Hugh P. Baker, the College's first dean. The building is the location of several computer clusters and auditorium-style classrooms. It is home to the construction and management and wood products engineering department. The building is undergoing major renovation.
- Bray Hall: The building is the oldest on campus, completed in 1917. It is named after William L. Bray, a founder of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. It is the location of most administrative offices, and the forest and natural resources management and environmental resources and forest engineering department.
- Illick Hall: The building was completed in 1968, and is home to the environmental and forest biology department. It is named after Joseph S. Illick, a dean of the State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University. There is a large lecture hall (Illick 12) in the basement. Several greenhouses are located on the fifth floor. The Roosevelt Wildlife Museum is also located in the building.
- Jahn Laboratory: Named after Edwin C. Jahn, a dean of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. The building is the newest on the campus, completed in 1997. Home to the chemistry department.
- Marshall Hall: Named after Louis B. Marshall, one of the founders of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. Home to the landscape architecture and environmental studies departments. The Alumni (Nifkin) Lounge, Gallery (snack bar), Small Stores gift shop, and Marshall Auditorium are located within it.
- Moon Library: Dedicated to F. Franklin Moon, an early dean of the College. Completed in 1968, along with Illick Hall. A computer cluster and student lounge are located in the basement.
- Walters Hall: Named after J. Henry Walters, who served on the College's Board of Trustees. Completed in 1969. Home to the paper science and engineering department. A paper mill is located in the basement.
There is also a maintenance and operations building, garage, and greenhouse converted to office space. A research support building is in the planning phase.
The historical Robin Hood Oak is located behind Bray Hall. The tree was grown from an acorn brought back by a faculty member from the Sherwood Forest in England. It was the first tree to be listed on the National Registrar of Historic Trees in the United States.
Wanakena Campus
Students in the forest and natural resources management curriculum spend an academic year or summer at the "Ranger School," as it is simply called, to earn an associates degree in forest technology. The campus is situated on Cranberry Lake, in the middle of the Adirondack State Park. It includes the Dubuar Memorial Forest.Other Campuses
- Cranberry Lake Biological Station: Located in the Adirondack State Park, it is the site of the College's summer field program in environmental and forest biology.
- Huntington Wildlife Forest: Located near Newcomb, New York, it includes the Adirondack Ecological Center. The campus is also home to the Arbutus Lodge, bunkhouses, and a dining center, among other facilities.
- Tully Campus: Location of the Heiberg Memorial Forest and Genetic Field Station.
- Warrensburg Campus: Location of the Pack Demostrtation Forest and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental Education Camp.
- Thousand Islands Campus: Situated in the Thousand Islands are the Thousand Islands Biological Station and Ellis International Laboratory.
- Forest Experimental Station: Located in the City of Syracuse.
Academics
The [ESF mission statement] is "to advance knowledge and skills and to promote the leadership necessary for the stewardship of both the natural and designed environments." ESF is a "specialized institution" of the State University of New York, meaning that cirriculum have a focus in one field, the College's being environmental management and stewardship. Students supplement their education with courses taken at Syracuse University.ESF has academic departments in the fields of chemistry; construction management and wood products engineering; environmental and forest biology; environmental resources and forest engineering; environmental studies; forest and natural resources management; landscape architecture; and paper science and engineering.
Campus Life
Many students identify themselves as a "Stumpy" (or "Stumpie"). The nickname was given to students by their neighbors at Syracuse University, probably in the 1920s, and most-likely refers to forestry "stump jumpers". Although orignially used as an insult, students today embrace the nickname with pride.Students at the Syracuse campus enjoy many activities on and off campus. There are a number of student clubs and organizations at ESF, including the Undergraduate Student Association, Graduate Student Association, Woodsmen Team, Bob Marshall Club, Alpha Xi Sigma Honor Society, Soccer Club, Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society, The Knothole (weekly newspaper), Papyrus Club, The Empire Forester (yearbook), Landscape Architecture Club (formally the Mollet Club), Forest Engineers Club, Habitat for Humanity, Ecologue (yearly journal), the Bioethics Society, Green Campus Initiative, and Baobab Society. Wanakena students have their own woodsmen and ice hockey teams. A number of professional organizations are also open to student membership, including the Society of American Foresters, Wildlife Society, American Fisheries Association, and the American Water Resources Association. Additionally, ESF students are welcomed to join any organinization at Syracuse University except for NCAA sports teams.
ESF has an agreement with adjacent Syracuse University that allows its students enjoy many of the ameneities offered by SU. ESF students can take SU classes, live in SU residence halls, and join any SU organinization except for NCAA sports teams. Because of this, students feel a certain degree of integration within the Syracuse University community. ESF's commencement ceremony is held together with Syracuse University in the Carrier Dome every May.
Students also enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants, museums, and theaters in Syracuse, and nearby Marshall Street and Westcott Street.
Traditions
The best known tradition among ESF students is that walking across the quad is shunned upon. The tradition most likely started in the 1980s or 1990s to inhibit tracks being worn into the grass. Hecklers have been known to yell and even tackle people walking across the quad. However, other activities such as frisbee and soccer playing are encouraged.Eustace B. Nifkin, ESF's mascot, is an unofficial student. He first appeared in the 1940s after a group of students summering in the Adirondacks thought him up. Ever since, he has appeared on class rousters, written articles for The Knothole, and sent mail to the College from around the world. He has a girlfriend, the lesser-known Elsa S. Freeborn. SUNY granted him a bachelor's degree in 1972. The lounge in Marshall Hall is dedicated to Nifkin.
Traditional events include:
- TGIF ("thank goodness it's Friday") celebrations
- Earth Week events
- Spring Banquet
- December Soiree
- Friends and Family BBQ
- Coffee Hauses
- Festival of Places
- Paper run
- Doughnut Hours
- New student orientation
Trivia
- ESF has the longest name of any college or any university in the United States.
- ESF's campuses together total almost 25,000 acres, and is the largest campus of any academic institution in the world.
External links
- [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry]
- [ESF Annual Report]
- [ESF Ranger School]
- [Cranberry Lake Biological Station]
- [Adirondack Ecological Center]
- [Thousand Islands Biological Station]
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