SUNY New Paltz

A member of the State University of New York system, New Paltz is a 350 acre campus institution based in Ulster County, New York state. Founded as a classical school in 1828, it has been a modern degree granting institution since 1960.

Academics at New Paltz is divided between the college of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the Schools of Business, Education, Science & Engineering, and Fine & Performing Arts. New Paltz offers summer research experience for science students, and previous projects have ranged from sexuality studies to the use of a bird feeder to encourage avian variety across campus.

There are no less than three open air universities on site, and the Fine & Performing Arts school contains 100 faculty members teaching roughy 1000 students. The Dorsky Museum has a permanent collection of 5,000 pieces of art, with a focus on local work and artefacts from the surrounding region.

The New Paltz study abroad programme is the recipient of the Heiskell Award For Innovation in International Education, and there are programmes available for over 35 cities from Cairo to Taipei. In 2015 New Paltz students went on an educational trip to Cuba for the first time following the American renewal of diplomatic relations with the nation.

Athletics teams are known as the Hawks, and compete in the NCAA Division III. There are six men’s programmes and nine women’s, including lacrosse, hockey, and tennis. Opened in 1964, the Elting Pool is a six lane facility that can host up to 300 spectators.

Among alumni of New Paltz is author Regina Calcaterra, owner of the New York Knicks James Dolan, congressman Maurice Hinchey, The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, and actor John Turturro.