SELF-GUIDED TOUR - Purchase College

SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Brigid Flanigan Drive
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welcome to purchase college!
This self-guided tour provides you with an opportunity to visit
the campus at your own leisure. Here you will find our campus
map and interesting facts about Purchase College, its buildings,
facilities and services.
The tour has been broken down into three sections of which
you may begin at any point:
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A. History and the Basics - begin at the Administration Building
B. Academic & Student Life - begin at the Residence Halls
C. The Visual & Performing Arts - begin at the Dance Building
tour b
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For your convenience, an audio version of this tour
is available as a podcast on our website (available in
January 2009).
Purchase College
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Parking
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Brigid Flanigan Drive
tour A: history & basics
tour B: academic & student life
tour C: the visual & performing arts
www.purchase.edu
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577

TOUR A:HISTORY AND THE BASICS
ADMININSTRATION 1 RESIDENCE HALLS 1
The campus sits on a 500-plus acre estate settled in 1734 by Judge Thomas
Thomas. The Administration complex was built in the 1920’s and occupied
by the Chisholm family as a working farm until 1967 when New York State
purchased it under the guidance of Nelson Rockefeller to become
Purchase College.
Construction of the campus began in 1967, and the first building finished was
the Neuberger Museum, completed in 1971. The first matriculated students,
170 juniors, were admitted in 1971. The first commencement was held in 1973
and in the fall of 1973 the first freshmen entered the college. Construction of
the campus complex was completed in 1978, and in that year the Performing
Arts Center formally opened to the public. Since then, Purchase has added
2 apartment style dormitories, 2 traditional dormitories and a new Student
Service building (completed in 2006).
Edward Larrabee Barnes was appointed master architect for the project of
creating the Purchase campus. His plans called for “a city within the country”
where academic buildings are surrounded by a great open space. In addition
to Barnes, seven other major architects helped to design individual buildings
(more on that to come).
As you walk down the driveway, look for our new upper-classmen residence
hall Fort Awesome. Fort Awesome features the first all fair trade Starbucks in
the US and the More Store, an environmentally friendly convenience store.
MAIN DINING HALL 2
CHILDREN’S CENTER 2
Head left at the intersection. The building on your right houses both the
Children’s Center and the Student Center. This building received a complete
renovation in 2008 including new skylights.
The Children’s Center primarily serves Purchase College students, faculty,
and staff and extends its’ services to families of neighboring communities.
The Center also provides internship and practicum opportunities for students
to observe young children in connection with psychology coursework and
independent studies.
STUDENT CENTER 3
Adjacent to the Children’s Center is the Student Center (affectionately known
as the Stood). The Student Center is a student run space that offers a variety
of FREE arcade and tabletop games such as hockey, foosball and ping-pong
as well as serving as host venue to movie nights, concerts, and dances. Studio
and exhibit spaces are available for students to display their art and the building
is equipped with wireless internet access.
CEMETERY 4
To the left of the Student Center you will see the Purchase cemetery dating
back to the 1730’s. The graves include those of Colonel Thomas, a veteran of
the battle of White Plains, as well as many of his descendants. It is of historical
significance with respect to being one of the few multi-racial cemeteries
from that era. It contains the graves of the estate owners as well as some of
the servant.
THE DURST FAMILY HUMANITIES BUILDING 5
Home to the School of Humanities and named for Royal and Shirley Durst,
philanthropists who support research and scholarship in the Humanities, the
next building to your right is the Durst Family Humanities Building. The School
of Humanities is home to Art History, Cinema Studies, Creative Writing, Drama
Studies, History, Journalism, Language & Culture, Literature and Philosophy.
This building offers a variety of classroom spaces, including up to date “smart”
classrooms that allow faculty to integrate technology and multi-media in the
learning process. The building hosts such programs as the Creative Writing
Fiction Writers’ Series and Drama Studies productions. It is also home to the
Counseling Center, Alumni Affairs, and University Police.
BUS STOPS 6
Turning the corner to your right you will cross over the Lincoln Avenue
underpass. This location is one of four campus bus stops. The college offers
a free daily shuttle-bus to all Purchase students. The shuttle transports students
to local shopping, restaurants, movie theaters and the White Plains train
station. In addition to the Purchase shuttle, students can access the Bee
Line Bus system. There are hourly trips including stops at the Metro-North
railroad station and both of the malls in White Plains.
CAMPUS CENTER SOUTH 7
The next building to your right is Campus Center South. There you will find
Terre Ve, the 1st all-vegetarian dining hall on a college campus. This strictly
vegetarian eatery includes vegan options as well as a salad bar, a vegetarian
sushi bar and hot and cold items. The student run closed-circuit television
station PTV can also be found on the second floor.
STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING 8
Directly across from Campus Center South is our newest addition to campus,
the Student Services Center. This 50,000 square foot building boasts a twostory
atrium, a multimedia presentation area and is part of a campus master
plan designed to create a new center of activity for outdoor and academic
events. The building includes the Office of Financial Aid, Registrar, Student
Accounts, Student Affairs, Advising Center, International Programs and
Services, and Career Development, all in one centralized location.
This concludes the first part of your tour. To begin the next section walk
towards the Freshman Residence Halls using the map as a guide.
TOUR B:ACADEMIC & STUDENT LIFE
The residence hall complex houses approximately 1,200 students. It is
connected on the lower level from end to end and provides access to the
Main Dining Hall. Several living options exist for residents, including quiet
floors, non-traditional housing, wellness living, and learning communities.
Housing options include singles (reserved for upper classmen), traditional
doubles, triples and 4, 6, and 8 person suites (suites include bathrooms and
a common area). Each resident is provided with a telephone, an extra-long
twin bed, a dresser, a desk, a chair, a lamp and closet space. Residence Halls
include cable and computer hookups as well as free laundry facilities.
Surrounded by the Residence Halls is the Main Dining Hall. This “all-you-careto-eat”
dining location offers “home” like breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
Also, housed in the Dining Hall is our volunteer student run Co-Op which
offers organic foods and fair-trade coffee and tea.
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PATH TO GYM
Exiting the Dining Hall, use the map to navigate toward the Gym.
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Our state-of-the-art Athletic Building includes three basketball courts,
a weight room, rock-climbing wall, bowling alley, six-lane swimming pool,
racquetball & squash courts, fourteen tennis courts, baseball and softball
fields, five soccer fields and an aerobic studio. The Panthers, the College’s
team name, are members of the NCAA Division III and compete in the Skyline
Conference. Purchase College offers participation in intercollegiate athletics
including: men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cross
country, women’s swimming, softball and men’s baseball. Club teams and
intramural programs include: men’s golf, swimming, Tae Kwan-Do, ultimate
Frisbee, floor hockey and dodge ball. Purchase is proud to announce our newest
athletic facilities – a lighted turf field and a brand new cross-country trail.
In the gym you will also find the temporary home of Health Services which
provides students with quality on-campus medical care.
PATH TO CCN 4
Exiting the Gym, use the map to navigate toward Campus Center North.
In addition to the residence hall complex, we also have three apartment
complexes (Alumni Village, the Commons, and the Olde viewable on your
right-hand side) for upperclassmen. They house about 1,170 students and
contain garden style apartment units with kitchen, bath and furnished rooms
and house from 3 to 8 students per apartment.
CAMPUS CENTER NORTH 5
The four floors of Campus Center North contain various student services
including the More Card Office, the Purchase Student Government
Association (PSGA), the Office of Campus Life and the Food Court.
Just past the main entrance is the Fireside Commuter Lounge. Commuter
students can relax there between classes. It is equipped with a big screen
TV, quiet lounge, and comfy couches.
The Purchase Student Government Association (PSGA) is located on the 1st
floor. The PSGA represents, advocates and furthers the interests and welfare
of the students of Purchase College.
The Food Court (also known as The Hub) is located towards the rear of the
main floor and features everything from delicious Italian entrees, authentic
Mexican cuisine, and made-to-order deli offering a variety of healthy, low-sodium
options. Burgers, fries, soups, smoothies and three different salad bars
round out the options.
The Office of Student Life on the second floor provides the following services:
Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD), Orientation and
Campus Events. The Office of Student Life works to create a positive
campus community by fostering diversity, developing and recognizing
student leaders, and promoting new initiatives in community service.
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LIBRARY 6
The newly completed main entrance to the library includes a number of
renovated spaces. Straight ahead are stairs leading up to the new second floor
reading room, containing our collection of art books, and stairs down to the
main floor of the library. The main floor includes our new reference area,
several new “smart” classrooms and computer labs. In addition, we will
soon have a brand new information common area and a video editing lab.
The library has more than 250,000 volumes, over 3,000 DVDs, and provides
online access to more than 35,000 journals, magazines, and newspapers. The
library is also a Congressionally-designated depository of U.S. Government
publications. Members of the Purchase College community can access our
online resources from any of the more than 120 public computers in the
library, or from any computer on or off campus. Through the Purchase College
Library, students also can obtain materials from libraries across the country.
Students can request materials from nearly 20 million volumes of the SUNY
system delivered to them here, usually in one to three days.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES BUILDING 7
Exiting the Library and turning left you will find the Social Sciences
Building - home to the Social Science programs and our Theatre Design/
Technology program. The Social Science majors at Purchase College are:
Anthropology; Economics; Media, Society & the Arts; Political Science;
Sociology; and Women’s Studies, plus a host of interdisciplinary minor
programs like Jewish Studies, Global Black Studies and Lesbian and Gay
Studies. The first floor has faculty offices and is used primarily by Social
Sciences faculty for classes and lectures. This is also the location of SPARC
(Student Political Action Resource Center). The Office of the Dean of the
School of Natural & Social Sciences is on the second floor. The Design/
Technology main office and studios are also on the second floor.
The lower level contains the Office of Computing and Telecommunications
Services. CTS has two labs for both IBM and Apple enthusiasts. The campus
has many wireless hot spots, and a plethora of PC and Mac labs throughout
the academic buildings, residence halls, and the library.
NATURAL SCIENCES BUILDING 8
To the right of the Social Sciences Building is the Natural Sciences Building.
The Natural Sciences building was specifically designed by the world-famous
architect Paul Rudolf for intensive faculty- student research collaboration.
The Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Mathematics/
Computer Science, New Media and Psychology laboratories are located in
the center of each floor with faculty offices and classrooms directly across
from them. The building houses our electron microscopes, fluorescence light
microscopes, radioactivity counters, tissue culture facilities, molecular biology
facilities, ultracentrifuges, assorted analytical instruments, environmental
chambers, a state-of-the-art (all Mac) new media laboratory, and computerized
neuro-cognitive psychology laboratories. Most classes are small and students
work alongside faculty members in an apprenticeship relationship.
This concludes the second part of your tour. The main mall that is now
composed of the thousands of tiles you see before you is being remodeled
over the next several years to include more year round greenery and
interesting vistas. This is only one of the renovation projects underway
that you will notice on your tour.
TOUR C:THE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
DANCE BUILDING 1
This is the first academic building in the U.S. built specifically for the training
and performance of dance. Twelve specially designed studios serve as the
training ground for our future dancers, choreographers and actors. In addition
to the numerous performances held in the 270-seat Dance Theatre Lab in this
building, the Purchase Dance Corps presents two concerts annually in the
Performing Arts Center. Renovations to the Dance Building skylights were
recently completed and new flooring installed in the hallways, restoring the
building to its original grandeur.
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The Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film’s Acting program is also housed
on the main level of this facility towards the rear of the building. There are
4 studios, one for each class. While most performances take place in the
Abbot Kaplan Theater of the Performing Arts Center, daily classes are held
in this building.
On the lower level towards the rear of the Dance building you can find the
offices and classrooms of Long Island University - Westchester Campus
offering graduate programs in teacher education, school counseling, and
business. Purchase students may apply to one of their many graduate
programs and continue their education at LIU at a reduced tuition rate.
MUSIC BUILDING 2
Exiting the Dance Building to your right is the Music Building. The Conservatory
of Music provides 70 private practice rooms, 8 recording studios and two
performance venues: the Recital Hall and the Choral Hall, for students to
develop their vocal and instrumental talents. With the recent purchase of
21 brand new Steinway pianos, we are well on our way to becoming an
all-Steinway school.
Also housed in this building is the Film Program of the Conservatory of Theatre
Arts & Film. An extensively equipped sound stage on the lower level is the
centerpiece of the Film Program. Equipment includes Avid film editing
stations. With a 2:1 student to camera ratio, students begin filming in their
freshman year.
The School of Liberal Studies & Continuing Education, located in the lower
level of the Music building, is the home of the adult degree program and
non-credit courses and programs. The Liberal Studies degree is for adults
and transfer students seeking an evening and weekend degree program.
Wide assortments of credit and non-credit recreational and professional
courses are offered to the community through the School of Liberal Studies
& Continuing Education.
THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 3
The Performing Arts Center is adjacent to the Music Building. This fourtheatre
complex is a major professional, nonprofit arts presenter in the
southeastern New York-southwestern Connecticut region. The proximity
to New York City and the Connecticut border affords more than 200,000
people the opportunity to attend more than 650 performances, benefits,
and events that are presented annually. The conservatory and academic
divisions of Purchase College use the facility, as do many of the area’s
major arts organizations.
The artists in The Center’s series serve as models of excellence for the
students of the College. The Performing Arts Center has been successful
in arranging master classes, lecture/demonstrations or informal meetings
with many of these artists.
VISUAL ARTS 4
Walking back onto the mall and across from the Music Building is the
Art+Design Building. This 160,000 square foot building is home to the School
of Art+Design. Its’ comprehensive and extensive spaces support work in both
traditional and new art media including: 7 computer labs, 26 semi-private
darkrooms, 2 fifteen station darkrooms, wood, metal, clay and finishing
sculpture shops, 4 printmaking studios, numerous drawing and painting
studios, offset printing and letterpress shops, and several multi-purpose
studios and classrooms. There is semi-private studio space for upper-class
undergraduate majors, four formal galleries, and numerous alternative venues
for student exhibitions throughout the building. At the Bachelor of Fine Art
(BFA) level students can study painting, drawing, design, 3D media/sculpture,
photography, printmaking and the art of the book.
NEUBERGER MUSEUM OF ART 5
Immediately to the right is the Neuberger Museum of Art - an important
cultural asset for the Purchase College community. Celebrated internationally
for its commitment to modern, contemporary and African art and for its’
excellent exhibitions and programs. The Museum is among the ten largest
museums in New York State, and is the eighth largest university museum in
the nation. It is housed in a spacious, contemporary facility designed by the
world-renowned architect Philip Johnson and his former partner John Burgee.
The Museum’s magnificent permanent collection comprises more than 6,000
objects. Its collection of 20th century American art, established with Roy R.
Neuberger’s gift, includes American master works by Milton Avery, Romare
Bearden, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson
Pollock, Mark Rothko, and George Segal, among others.
A full range of public programs inspired by the permanent and nearly 12
changing exhibitions annually help students grasp a fuller understanding
of the works on view, providing opportunities for student enrichment: the
Museum regularly offers talks and tours with artists and curators, music
performances, outdoor dance, film series, lectures and symposia.
MAILROOM/BOOKSTORE 6
Our final building in the center of the mall is the campus bookstore and
mailroom. Students can purchase books as well as snacks, supplies and
college merchandise. It’s also a great place to grab a snack or drink at the
end of a long tour.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for visiting Purchase College. We hope you enjoyed your tour of our
campus. We suggest if you have time to stop by one of our dining locations,
visit the museum or check out a show at the Performing Arts Center.
If you will be in the area again, we recommend you attend an information
session. Dates and times for information sessions are listed on our web
at www.purchase.edu. You can also email us with additional questions at
admissions@purchase.edu.