Alfred University

{{Short description|Private university in Alfred, New York, U.S.}}

{{Infobox university

| name = Alfred University

| image = AlfredUniversitylogo.png

| image_size =

| caption =

| motto = Fiat Lux (Latin)

| mottoeng = "Let There Be Light"

| established = {{start date and age|1836}}

| type = Private and statutory collegeAlfred administers the New York State College of Ceramics.

| academic_affiliations = Space-grant

| president = Mark Zupan{{cite press release | title = Alfred University Board of Trustees names Mark Zupan as institution's 14th president | url = http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=12698 | access-date = July 9, 2016 | publisher = Alfred University | date = February 11, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160713121552/http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=12698 | archive-date = July 13, 2016 }}

| endowment = $136.8 million (2020)As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221003510/https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |url-status=live }}

| city = Alfred

| state = New York

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{Coord|42|15|20|N|77|47|15.1|W|type:edu_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}

| faculty = 152 FT/ 32 PT (2023)

| students = 1,843 (2023)

| undergrad = 1,422 (2023)

| postgrad = 421

| campus = Rural, {{Convert|232|acre|ha}}, plus another {{Convert|400|acre|ha}} of nearby recreational land

| colors = {{color box|#550D8A}}{{color box|#F5AA01}} Purple & gold{{cite web |url=http://www.alfred.edu/alfred_today/docs/au_visual_identity_standards_5-11.pdf |title=Alfred University Visual Identity Standards |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=3 August 2016 |archive-date=October 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004224614/http://www.alfred.edu/alfred_today/docs/au_visual_identity_standards_5-11.pdf |url-status=dead }}

| sports_nickname = Saxons

| website = {{URL|https://www.alfred.edu/|alfred.edu}}

| logo = Alfredunilogo.png

}}

Alfred University is a private university in Alfred, New York, United States. It has a total undergraduate population of approximately 1,600 students.{{Cite magazine |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |title=Alfred University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668 |access-date=August 18, 2022}} The university hosts the statutory New York State College of Ceramics, which includes The Inamori School of Engineering and the School of Art and Design.

History

Alfred University was founded as a non-sectarian select school by Seventh Day Baptists. In 1836, Bethuel C. Church, a Seventh Day Baptist, was asked to organize a college in Alfred and began teaching, receiving financial assistance from the Seventh Day Baptist Educational Society with resources, in part, from "Female Educational Societies" of local churches.{{Cite book|last=Sanford|first=Don A.|title=A Choosing People: The History of Seventh Day Baptists|publisher=Broadman Press|year=1992|isbn=0-8054-6055-1|location=Nashville|pages=214–278}} Unusual for the time, the school was co-educational, and within its first 20 years, it also enrolled its first African-American and Native American students.{{Cite web|title=Craft in America Craft in America - Alfred University|url=https://www.craftinamerica.org/artist/alfred-university|access-date=2021-05-26|website=www.craftinamerica.org|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321211028/https://www.craftinamerica.org/artist/alfred-university/|url-status=live}} From its founding as a select school, the institution received a charter as Alfred Academy from the New York State Board of Regents in 1842. Focused initially on the education of teachers, the institution continued to grow.{{Cite book|last=Strong|first=Susan|title=Thought Knows No Sex; Women's Rights at Alfred University|publisher=State University of New York Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-7914-7513-3|location=Albany, NY|pages=57}} In 1855, a curriculum was created for the Academic Department and the Collegiate with courses divided into three areas: the classic, the scientific and one for women involves most subjects in the other areas. There was no theology course in the initial period, however, the desire to organize a theological seminary led the academy, through Jonathan Allen, an early teacher, later second president, to apply for a license for a government-accredited university. After facing difficulties for more than two years, he received his charter as Alfred University from the New York State Legislature in March 1857, so that years later the Department of Theology was created. Although preceded by the short-lived New York Central College, Alfred University is the oldest surviving co-educational college in New York and New England, and the oldest college in the United States to admit women to all its programs of study, rather than having female-specific programs.

In 1900, the New York State Legislature approved the formation of "a State School of Clay-Working and Ceramics" at Alfred University, with the intention of establishing a public college "to serve New York State industry and assist in developing New York State raw materials and assist its ceramic industry."{{Cite book|last=McHale|first=Anna|title=Fusion; a Centennial History of the New York State College of Ceramics, 1900-2000|publisher=Donning Company Publishers|year=2003|isbn=1-57864-224-8|location=Virginia Beach, VA|pages=20–21}} The college has evolved into the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and contains certain departments of both the School of Engineering and the School of Art and Design. The engineering curriculum includes the study of ceramics and glass, while the School of Art and Design provides art practice instruction in ceramics and glass. The College of Ceramics remains part of the State University of New York system, while Alfred University also maintains a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a College of Business in its private sector.

In 1908, the New York State Legislature approved the formation of the New York College of Agriculture at Alfred University. That college became autonomous in 1941 as a junior college, and, in 1948, became a member of the State University of New York system. While a separate and autonomous institution, Alfred State College, located on the opposite side of Main Street in the Village of Alfred, maintains close relations with Alfred University, and both institutions host an annual "Hot Dog Day" in the spring.

The origin of the name "Alfred" is uncertain. Residents of the town and students at the two schools believe that the town received its name in honor of Alfred the Great, king of the Saxons, although the first documented occurrence of this connection was in 1881, 73 years after the first record of the name being used to describe the geophysical area during assignments by the state legislature. State records which might have verified the connection between the Saxon king and the university were lost in a fire in 1911.{{cite web |title=Alfred's Town Name |url=http://www.herr.alfred.edu/special/archives/histories/alfreds_town_name.asp |access-date=August 12, 2007 |first=Susan |last=Strong |year=1997 |work=Herrick Library Special Collections and Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070719034206/http://www.herr.alfred.edu/special/archives/histories/alfreds_town_name.asp |archive-date=July 19, 2007 }} Regardless of whether the connection is historically accurate, Alfred University has embraced King Alfred as a symbol of the school's educational values, and a statue of the king stands in the center of the campus quad.

Alfred University has hosted guest lecturers, artists and musicians including Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo Emerson{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=E. H.|title=Allen of Alfred: Some of His Words|year=2007|publisher=Kessinger Press|isbn=978-0-548-05765-0|page=19}} and Ghostface Killah.{{cite web|title=Community: Events: Hot Dog Day 2011|url=http://www.alfred.edu/community/hdd.cfm|work=Alfred University Website|publisher=AU ITS|access-date=April 20, 2011|archive-date=June 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630181022/https://www.alfred.edu/community/hdd.cfm|url-status=dead}} In April 2000, Alfred University received national attention when freshman Eric Zuckerman orchestrated a campus visit from then–First Lady, Hillary Clinton, during her campaign for the United States Senate from New York.http://dspace.alfred.edu/bitstream/handle/10829/3023/20000503.pdf?sequence=1{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In the 1990s, Alfred University, together with Corning Incorporated and the State of New York, began developing the Ceramic Corridor, an incubator project designed to take advantage of the emerging ceramics industry and to create new jobs.{{Cite web|last=EATON|first=DICK CHRISTIAN, DICK CHRISTIAN AND ERNA|title=A SILICON VALLEY IN WESTERN NEW YORK 60-MILE CORRIDOR INCUBATES DEVELOPMENTS IN CERAMICS TECHNOLOGY|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/a-silicon-valley-in-western-new-york-60-mile-corridor-incubates-developments-in-ceramics-technology/article_2ce7257f-905f-5f54-b63e-886496ffbc22.html|access-date=2021-05-26|website=The Buffalo News|date=January 24, 1993|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004142955/https://buffalonews.com/news/a-silicon-valley-in-western-new-york-60-mile-corridor-incubates-developments-in-ceramics-technology/article_2ce7257f-905f-5f54-b63e-886496ffbc22.html|url-status=live}} This industrial development program has focused on developing start-up industries between Corning, NY and Alfred, NY and includes business incubator facilities in Alfred and Corning. Since its initiation, the incubator facility in Alfred has joined The Western New York Incubator Network.{{Cite web|title=Incubator Works {{!}} WNY Incubator Network / WNY Innovation Hot Spot|url=http://www.wnyincubators.com/incubatorworks|access-date=2021-05-26|website=www.wnyincubators.com|archive-date=June 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608021558/https://www.wnyincubators.com/incubatorworks|url-status=live}}

File:Alfred University Campus April 2006.jpg

File:Kanakadea Hall at Alfred University.jpg

File:Pumpking Alfred 2019.jpg stands at the center of AU's quad, and is often decorated by students. In this picture, he has a Jack-o'-lantern on his head for Halloween 2019, leading to his temporary renaming as 'Pumpking Alfred'.]]

In 1971, the village of Alfred, where the university is located, became only the fourth municipality in the U.S. to ban employment discrimination based on sexuality.{{cite news |last1=Kihss |first1=Peter |title=A.C.L.U. Study Finds Wide Easing of Job Bias Against Homosexuals |work=The New York Times |date=July 10, 1975 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/10/archives/aclu-study-finds-wide-easing-of-job-bias-against-homosexuals.html |access-date=3 December 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203015406/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/10/archives/aclu-study-finds-wide-easing-of-job-bias-against-homosexuals.html |url-status=live }} Amidst the dissolution of the AU Greek System, the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity chapter at Alfred University led a successful effort to ban discrimination based on religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation in the constitution of the 210 chapter international fraternity in 2002.{{cite book | title = Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities | first = Shane L. | last = Windmeyer | publisher = Alyson Publications | year = 1998 | isbn = 1-55583-409-4 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/outonfraternityr0000unse }}

Alfred University's ranking by U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities North, #45,{{cite web |title=Alfred University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668 |website=usnews.com |publisher=U.S. News & World Report, LP |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724214541/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668 |url-status=live }} while in 2019 the university had an acceptance rate of 66% with the middle 50% of students admitted having an SAT score between 940 and 1180 or an ACT score between 20 and 27.{{cite web | title = Alfred University | url = http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?match=true&collegeId=3220&type=qfs&word=alfred%20university | access-date = August 12, 2007 | work = College Board Profiles | publisher = College Board | archive-date = December 5, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081205034944/http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?match=true&collegeId=3220&type=qfs&word=alfred%20university | url-status = live }}{{cite web |title=Alfred University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668/applying |website=usnews.com |publisher=U.S. News & World Report, LP |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001055208/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668/applying |url-status=live }}

Events and culture

=Mascot=

Alfred University's athletic teams became known as The Saxons in 1929, but did not institute an official mascot when the moniker was selected.

In 1940, two Kappa Psi Upsilon brothers, James Lippke and Walter Lawrence, developed a character named Lil Alf to be used on their fraternity house's signs during football games. In his original design, Lil Alf was a knight in shining armor, simplified to a small cartoonish form in a 1948 redesign.

Lil Alf was not formally adopted as a campus mascot, with many sports teams complaining that he was "too cute and not fierce enough." The use of his image was formally banned on official publications by the university's Visual Identity Standards document. In spite of opposition, his image remained ubiquitous through the 2000s and was common on unofficial sports signs and clothing.

In 2013 the university introduced Lil Alf as its official mascot. He was redesigned to feature a somewhat more historically accurate armor and helmet in Alfred University's purple and gold.{{cite web |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Pattilyn |title=The Official Unofficial Mascot of Alfred University |url=https://aura.alfred.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/eebb7b42-815d-4c0a-b9ac-d587d801625f/content |website=Alfred University Research & Archives |access-date=8 July 2024}}

=The Black Knight=

The Black Knight[http://herrick.alfred.edu/special/archives/traditions/black_knight_story.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126004757/http://herrick.alfred.edu/special/archives/traditions/black_knight_story.shtml|date=November 26, 2007}} has been a part of Alfred University folklore since the early 1900s. The relic was originally part of a parlor stove in a classroom in Kanakadea Hall. When the stove was discarded, the figure was claimed by the Class of 1908 as their mascot. They passed it on to the Class of 1910, thus causing a "war of possession" between the even and odd numbered classes. Many times over the years it disappeared and re-appeared on campus. In 2005 it was transferred to a glass case in the Powell Campus Center, along with a plaque describing its history. However, after only a few months, the glass enclosure was destroyed in the middle of the night and the Black Knight stolen.{{cite journal |title=The Black Knight at Alfred University |url=https://aura.alfred.edu/handle/10829/5331 |website=aura.alfred.edu |year=2013 |publisher=New York Times |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326193436/https://aura.alfred.edu/handle/10829/5331 |url-status=live }}

=Hot Dog Day=

Hot Dog Day, one of the largest yearly gatherings in Alfred, was first organized in 1972 by Mark O'Meara and Eric Vaughn as a way to bring the community together, raise money for local charities, and improve the reputations of campus Greek life. Since then the event has been organized and run by Alfred University and Alfred State College. From 2014 through 2022 the festival was held on alternating campuses, but in 2023 it resumed its original location on Main Street, Alfred. The event usually features live music, a soapbox derby, vendors, and carnival games for local children.{{cite web | title = Hot Dog Day | url = https://alfredarchives.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/hot-dog-day/ | access-date = 2021-09-23 | work = Alfred University Archives | date = April 22, 2014 | publisher = Herrick Memorial Library at Alfred University | archive-date = December 11, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221211100636/https://alfredarchives.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/hot-dog-day/ | url-status = live }}

File:Hot Dog Day 2007 1.jpg

=In popular culture=

Alfred University was mentioned on Saturday Night Live once in 1975 by host and Alfred University alumnus Robert Klein.{{cite web |url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75eklein.phtml |title=SNL Transcripts: Robert Klein: 11/15/75: Robert Klein |publisher=Snltranscripts.jt.org |access-date=April 15, 2014 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181744/http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75eklein.phtml |url-status=live }} When Klein hosted SNL again in 1977, he talked at length about Alfred University in his monologue.{{cite web |url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/77/77jmono.phtml |title=SNL Transcripts: Robert Klein: 01/21/78: Robert Klein's Monologue |publisher=Snltranscripts.jt.org |access-date=April 15, 2014 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182504/http://snltranscripts.jt.org/77/77jmono.phtml |url-status=live }}

Campus

File:Miller Performing Arts Center at Alfred University.jpg

File:Alfred University Powell Campus Center.jpg

There are two libraries on Alfred's campus, the Herrick Memorial Library, which primarily serves the private colleges, and the Scholes Library, which primarily serves the New York State College of Ceramics. The Alfred Ceramic Art Museum has a collection of 8,000 ceramic objects, including both ancient and modern ceramic art and craft.{{cite web |title=Alfred Ceramic Art Museum |url=https://ceramicsmuseum.alfred.edu/ |website=alfred.edu |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904110653/https://ceramicsmuseum.alfred.edu/ |url-status=live }}

Alfred has an astronomy program with the 7-telescope Stull Observatory, which has one of the largest optical telescopes in New York state.{{cite web |title=Stull Observatory: Campus Map |url=https://www.alfred.edu/about/map/stull-observatory.cfm |website=alfred.edu |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206225801/https://www.alfred.edu/about/map/stull-observatory.cfm |url-status=live }} Asteroid 31113 Stull was named for physics professor John Stull, who helped establish the observatory in 1966.

The Bromley-Daggett Equestrian Center, located at the Maris Cuneo Equine Park, was constructed in 2005. It hosts equine classes, an intramural equestrian team, varsity and JV for both English and Western disciplines, clinics, and horse shows. Stalls are available for boarding by university students. The facility has an indoor arena of 16000 ft² and lighted outdoor arenas of {{convert|28800|and|10800|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}; the entire property consists of {{convert|400|acre|km2}} of land.{{cite web |title=Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center |url=https://gosaxons.com/facilities/bromeley-daggett-equestrian-center-at-maris-cuneo-equine-park/13 |website=gosaxons.com |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203021608/https://gosaxons.com/facilities/bromeley-daggett-equestrian-center-at-maris-cuneo-equine-park/13 |url-status=live }}

The Miller Performing Arts Center was dedicated in 1995.{{cite press release | title = Miller Performing Arts Center wins international recognition | url = http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=1511 | access-date =September 17, 2007 | publisher = Alfred University | date = February 5, 2003}}

File:AlumniHall2004.JPG

Alfred University was once associated with the Seventh Day Baptist Church, until 1945 all presidents were admitted from among the seventh day Baptists, and had a school of theology. Formerly the campus chapel, Alumni Hall is now used primarily to house the Admissions and Financial Aid Departments, and has a place on the National Register of Historic Places. In the mid-1980s, Alumni Hall was preserved through a restoration effort.

Alfred's Davis Memorial Carillon, erected in 1937 as a tribute to longtime president Boothe C. Davis, can occasionally be heard while on campus. The bells of the carillon, purchased from Antwerp, were thought to be the oldest bells in the western hemisphere. Research later (2004) showed that the bells were of a more recent vintage, and that Alfred had been the victim of a fraud. On the brighter side, the non-historic nature of the bells allows the university to replace those that have poor tonal quality. Besides the resident carillonneur, guest carillonneurs have in the past visited and played during the summer.{{cite web |title=The Bells of Alfred |url=https://www.alleganyhistory.org/places/towns-and-villages/a-e/alfred/related-articles/2120-the-bells-of-alfred |website=alleganyhistory.org |publisher=Allegany County Historical Society |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203024819/https://www.alleganyhistory.org/places/towns-and-villages/a-e/alfred/related-articles/2120-the-bells-of-alfred |url-status=live }}

Academics

=Colleges and schools=

Alfred University has 47 majors across its four colleges and schools. Alfred's four private colleges are The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The College of Professional Studies, The Inamori School of Engineering, and The Graduate School. The School of Business is part of The College of Professional Studies.{{cite web |title=Alfred University - Niche |url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/alfred-university/#majors |website=niche.com |publisher=NICHE |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322140439/https://www.niche.com/colleges/alfred-university/#majors |url-status=live }}

The New York State College of Ceramics (NYSCC) consists of the School of Art and Design, with its own dean, and four state-supported materials programs cross-organized within Alfred University's School of Engineering. The College of Ceramics is functioning technically as a "holding entity" for the fiscal support of the state programs and the NYSCC mission. The unit head assists with budget preparation for the two aforementioned AU schools and the NYSCC-affiliated Scholes Library of Ceramics (part of the campuswide, unified AU library system), and acts in a liaison role to SUNY.{{cite web |title=NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University |url=https://www.suny.edu/campuses/ceramics/ |website=suny.edu |publisher=State University of New York}}

The School of Art and Design, technically a sub-unit of the College of Ceramics but autonomously run with its own dean, is further subdivided into divisions. A visit to the school in 2009 led media historian Siegfried Zielinski to state that Alfred is "the center of alchemy for the 21st century."Edizel, Gerar (2009). "Process is Concept", p.3. St Vincent Press, Rochester, NY. Alfred's School of Engineering (also autonomously run with its own dean) currently has four state-supported programs and two privately endowed programs.

= Partnerships =

Alfred University maintains a research agreement with the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-08 |title=学院简介-材料与化学学院 |url=http://www.chxy.cug.edu.cn/xygk/xyjj.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908193843/http://www.chxy.cug.edu.cn/xygk/xyjj.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) |language=zh}} Alfred University also hosted a Confucius Institute supported by the China University of Geosciences since 2009.{{Cite web |last=Singleton |first=Craig |date=2021-12-09 |title=The Middle Kingdom Meets Higher Education: How U.S. Universities Support China's Military-Industrial Complex |url=https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/12/09/the-middle-kingdom-meets-higher-education/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Foundation for Defense of Democracies |language=en |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904154208/https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/12/09/the-middle-kingdom-meets-higher-education/ |url-status=live }} The partnerships gained attention in 2023 when the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party announced a probe into them over national security concerns.{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Jimmy |date=2023-06-01 |title=House CCP Committee Launches Probe of University's Hypersonic-Research Contract |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/06/house-ccp-committee-launches-probe-of-universitys-hypersonic-research-contract/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=National Review |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608200054/https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/06/house-ccp-committee-launches-probe-of-universitys-hypersonic-research-contract/ |url-status=live }} In June 2023, Alfred University announced that it was closing its Confucius Institute but did not state that it would end its partnership with the China University of Geosciences.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=University shutting Confucius Institute after US House panel raises concerns |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3224408/university-shutting-its-confucius-institute-after-us-house-panel-raises-concerns-pentagon |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905160857/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3224408/university-shutting-its-confucius-institute-after-us-house-panel-raises-concerns-pentagon |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Zamone |date=2023-06-16 |title=School researching hypersonic weapons closes China-linked institute |url=https://www.federaltimes.com/news/your-military/2023/06/16/school-researching-hypersonic-weapons-closes-china-linked-institute/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Federal Times |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905160858/https://www.federaltimes.com/news/your-military/2023/06/16/school-researching-hypersonic-weapons-closes-china-linked-institute/ |url-status=live }}

=Rankings=

For its 2022-2023 ranking, U.S. News & World Report ranked Alfred University tied for #48 in Regional Universities North.{{cite web |title=Alfred University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668 |website=usnews.com |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=12 November 2022 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724214541/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/alfred-university-2668 |url-status=live }}

Museums and galleries

Alfred University and The New York State College of Ceramics (NYSCC) are associated with five galleries: Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, The Cohen Center for the Arts Gallery, The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Robert C. Turner Gallery, and Institute for Electronic Art's (IEA) John Woods Studios. Other exhibition spaces for undergraduate and graduate students to show work include the Sculpture Dimensional Studies Exhibition Spaces (the Cube, the Box and the Cell Space), the Printmaking Critique Room, Flex Space, the New Deal, and Rhodes Room.{{cite web |title=About Alfred: Museums and Galleries |url=https://www.alfred.edu/about/arts-at-alfred/museums-galleries.cfm |website=alfred.edu |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804022430/http://www.alfred.edu/about/arts-at-alfred/museums-galleries.cfm |url-status=live }}

=The Robert C. Turner Gallery=

Alfred University's student-run gallery, the Robert C. Turner Gallery, was refurbished in 2011 during a building improvement project. The gallery was once a unique space that hosted undergraduate experimental shows with a loose criteria that encouraged experimentation. The gallery now has two floors; the main space and the catwalk, which also has a "black box" interactive space for expanded (electronic) media. This gallery space is named after internationally acclaimed artist and Alfred University alumnus, Robert C. Turner, a former professor of ceramic art at Alfred University with a sixty-year-long career in ceramics.{{cite web |title=Robert C. Turner Gallery |url=https://www.alfred.edu/academics/colleges-schools/art-design/robert-turner-gallery.cfm |website=alfred.edu |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522063910/https://www.alfred.edu/academics/colleges-schools/art-design/robert-turner-gallery.cfm |url-status=live }}

=IEA John Wood Studios=

NYSCC is host to the John Wood Studios of the Institute of Electronic Arts (IEA) within the School of Art and Design (SoAD), NYSCC which offers a residency program for up to two weeks for international artists.{{cite web |title=Institute for Electronic Arts |url=https://www.alfred.edu/about/map/institute-for-electronic-arts.cfm |website=alfred.edu |publisher=Alfred University |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402032420/https://www.alfred.edu/about/map/institute-for-electronic-arts.cfm |url-status=live }}

Student life

=Current student organizations=

As of 2020, Alfred has over 80 student organizations and clubs.{{cite web|url=https://www.alfred.edu/student-life/clubs-organizations.cfm|title=Student Life: Clubs and Organizations|publisher=Alfred University|access-date=July 10, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101119094212/http://alfred.edu/students/involvement/clubs_organizations.cfm| archive-date= November 19, 2010 | url-status= live}} There are three main media organizations on campus; AUTV, the Fiat Lux newspaper, and the WALF 89.7FM radio station. The student-run yearbook, the Kanakadea, ceased publication in 2014. Notable extracurricular clubs include the Student Activities Board, Forest People, and Art Force Five.

AU has been granted chapters of a number of honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa (the Alpha Gamma chapter of New York, granted in 2004{{Citation| title = Phi Beta Kappa at Alfred University | date = March 2006 | publisher = Alfred University }}), Phi Kappa Phi, and Alpha Lambda Delta; Alfred also has chapters of the service societies Alpha Phi Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa. Other honor societies include Alpha Iota Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma, Delta Mu Delta, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Pi Gamma Mu, Pi Mu Epsilon (the Alpha Iota chapter of New York, chartered in 2002),{{cite web | title = Mathematics: Student Organizations | publisher = Alfred University | access-date = December 17, 2008 | url = http://las.alfred.edu/math/organizations.html | archive-date = April 9, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090409203246/http://las.alfred.edu/math/organizations.html | url-status = live }} Pi Sigma Alpha, Sigma Tau Delta, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Sigma Iota, Psi Chi, Keramos, and the Financial Management Association.{{cite web | title = Honor Societies | access-date =December 17, 2008 | publisher = Alfred University | url = http://alfred.edu/honors/societies.cfm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081221172218/http://www.alfred.edu/honors/societies.cfm| archive-date= December 21, 2008 | url-status= live}}

=Greek social organizations=

Fraternities and sororities were established at Alfred University for nearly 100 years prior to 2002, when they were discontinued, partially in response to the death of Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity member Benjamin Klein under suspicious circumstances and charges of gross negligence on behalf of the fraternity.{{cite press release | title = Alfred University implements new requirements for Greek organizations | url = http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=1042 | access-date =August 12, 2007 | publisher = Alfred University | date = February 18, 2002}}{{cite press release | title = Alfred University trustees vote to eliminate fraternities and sororities | url = http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=1701 | access-date =August 12, 2007 | publisher = Alfred University | date = May 20, 2002}}

In 1978, prior to Klein's death, student Chuck Stenzel died in a hazing-related incident at Alfred's Klan Alpine fraternity. After Stenzel's death, his mother, Eileen Stevens, created a lobbying organization to increase awareness of hazing and promote anti-hazing laws, as documented in Hank Nuwer's book "Broken Pledges" and a later TV movie of the same name (in which Alfred was not named for legal reasons). Stevens later served as an advisor to Alfred on hazing-related issues, and received an honorary doctorate from the school in 1999.{{cite web |last1=Becque |first1=Fran |title=Chuck Stenzel, Eileen Stevens, and C.H.U.C.K. |url=https://www.franbecque.com/9688/ |website=franbacque.com |date=February 24, 2016 |publisher=Fran Becque |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329122137/https://www.franbecque.com/9688/ |url-status=live }}

During the summer of 2002, all Greek social organizations lost recognition after an in-depth analysis of the Alfred University Greek system by an eight-member task force appointed by the board of trustees. More than 50% of the task force were themselves members of a fraternity or sorority while in college, and 82% of the board of trustees are Alfred University alumni.

While Alfred University has banned fraternities and sororities, Alfred State College has not, and these organizations remain active within the village of Alfred.{{cite web | title = Greek Life | publisher = Alfred State College | access-date = July 10, 2020 | url = https://www.alfredstate.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations/greek-life | archive-date = July 10, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200710211149/https://www.alfredstate.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations/greek-life | url-status = live }}

=Athletics=

Alfred teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III, with the exception of alpine skiing which is governed by the USCSA and the equestrian team which is governed by the IHSA. The Saxons are a member of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (Empire 8). They compete in the following sports: alpine skiing, basketball, cross country, equestrian, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field, women's volleyball, and women's softball.{{cite web|url=http://saxons.alfred.edu/|title=Alfred University Saxons|access-date=December 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223232112/http://saxons.alfred.edu/|archive-date=December 23, 2010}}

On July 15, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Empire 8 Conference postponed all fall sports.{{cite web|url=https://athletics.elmira.edu/news/2020/7/15/general-empire-8-conference-announces-postponement-of-fall-sports.aspx|title=Empire 8 Conference Announces Postponement of Fall Sports|date=July 15, 2020|access-date=September 5, 2023|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423013032/https://athletics.elmira.edu/news/2020/7/15/general-empire-8-conference-announces-postponement-of-fall-sports.aspx|url-status=live}} Sports have since resumed operating as normal.