YORK COLLEGE PROFILE

Located in the urban community of Jamaica, Queens, York College has become,

as was intended, the key component in ao concentrated effort to re-build a deteri-
orating urban area into a viable cultural, economic, and educational center. This
special characteristic, over and above York's more general mission of providing

wide access to higher education for the residents of the City of New York, is o major
factor in the College's plans for the future.

Chartered in November, 1966, the College admitted its first students in September,
1967. Its inaugural class of 371 freshmon students began their work in the College's
first set of temporary facilities, hastily developed instructional spaces and offices or
and near the compus of Queensborough Community College, Bayside, Queens, and
in an office bullding some distance removed.

In 1968 it was determined that the permanent compus of the College would be in
Jamaica. Significant advantages of this location include its being o center of mass
transportation, close to international airports, a link to the Long Island population,

and on established commercial center. It also represents a challenging opportunity

for the College to provide educational services to an underserved population of

New York City. The move to Jamaica took place for most of the College in September,
1971. Because of the lack of laboratory facilities in Jamaicc, the Natural Science
and Health Professions disciplines, depending on shuttle bus service, continued in
Bayside until! February, 1974.

Most of the College's present facilities are In the vicinity of the 50-acre site designated
for the construction of the permanent campus. The Science Building is the one building
which Is intended to remain as part of the permanent campus of the College.

The design, drawings, and specifications for Phase 1 of the permanent campus hove
been completed, and the College community is looking forward to the beginning of
the construction. Meanwhile, the College continues its efforts to maintain and
improve its educational program and services in its existing facilities.

Curriculor development has been in the direction of career-related and professional
programs within the framework of a strong liberal orts educction. Occupational
therapy, medical technology, environmental health, bi-lingual and specio! education,
community health ond ¢ sxciai work certificate program have all been developed over
the last few years. A comprehensive administrative science program is now in
preparation,

York's successful devejpment to date is evidenced in its recent unconditional,
ten- year occreditation by the Middle States Association.

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