Expanding Ulster college answers call of changing county

By Adele LeBlanc
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

The college moved to its permanent campus at Stone Ridge, a site in the geographical center of Ulster County, in time for the fall 1967 semester. Since 1970, Ulster has been accredited by the College Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in Philadelphia.

Throughout its history, Ulster has continued to adapt its programs, services and learning environment to the changing educational needs of area residents.

Students work toward certificates and associate’s degrees in day, evening and weekend courses on and off campus. Programs include allied health, business, human services, liberal arts and sciences and technology. More than 2,600 students were enrolled in the fall of 1998, and about 5,000 students took noncredit courses.

Ulster continues to build for the new century.

A building project completed in 1993 resulted in a Student Life Center, a Learning Assistance Center and expansion of other classroom buildings.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2000 to support new programs and new technologies, provide for efficient utilization of space and ensure accessibility for those with disabilities.

In 1995, Ulster began a major outreach effort to make its educational programs more accessible by establishing off-campus learning sites.

The first was the Business Resource Center, a major force in community economic development activities, which houses a small business incubator, the Small Business Development Center, a SCORE office and various other development offices.

Computer labs in Kingston

More recently, Ulster has expanded its accessibility by establishing classroom and computer lab facilities at the Everette Hodge Community Center in midtown Kingston and offering classes at Ellenville and Rondout Valley high schools.

Ulster embraces technology and the enhancements it brings to the learning experience through state-of-the-art computer labs, distance learning opportunities, electronic library resources accessible from campus and home, and an interactive Web site.

In response to employer demand for highly skilled employees in areas such as computer, science and environmental technologies, allied health and education, Ulster offered 13 new academic programs in the fall 1999 semester.

One of the programs, known as OASIS, provides the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree entirely online through the SUNY Learning Network. These programs are also designed to help area residents launch careers in competitive, high-paying sectors. The new programs almost double Ulster’s academic offerings, bringing the number of programs offered to 37.

While most of the new programs are already registered by the New York State Education Department and by SUNY, others await final confirmation.

Adele LeBlanc is administrator of publications and special projects at Ulster County Community College, Stone Ridge.