Part 1: Campus Profile - SUNY Cobleskill

SUNY Cobleskill 

SUCF Project No. 24822 

November 2011 

Facilities Master Plan 

SUNY Cobleskill 

2013-2023 

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CAMPUS PROFILE 

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SUNY Cobleskill Facilities Master Plan – Phase 1 Report 


November 2011 

Facilities Master Plan - SUNY Cobleskill 

2013-2023 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 4 

PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT 5 

INTRODUCTION 6 

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 

A HISTORY 7 

OVERVIEW 7 

PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT 8 

PRESENT DAY 10 

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES ON CAMPUS 12 

PAST AND CURRENT PLANNING EFFORTS 13 

G PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 29 

PHYSICAL CONTEXT 29 

INTERMEDIATE SCALE INFLUENCES 30 

THE CAMPUS 31 

CAMPUS ZONES 35 

SITE AND BUILDING SUMMARIES 42 

H THE POWER OF SUNY COBLESKILL 47 

B MISSION 15 

STRATEGIC PLANS 15 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 17 

C SUNY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY 19 

REGIONAL CONTEXT 19 

AN “UNCOMMON CAMPUS” 19 

ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS 20 

PEER INSTITUTIONS 20 

D CHARACTERISTICS 21 

STUDENT LIFE 22 

RECREATION & ATHLETICS 22 

E STATISTICAL DATA 23 

CAMPUS COMMUNITY 23 

FACULTY 23 

STAFF 23 

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS 24 

SUNY CENTRAL CAMPUS PROJECTIONS 25 

F ACADEMIC GOALS AND DIRECTIONS 27 

INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY 27 

FACULTY AND STAFF 28 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT 28 

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November 2011 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

SUNY Cobleskill, Steering Committee 

Dr. Candace S. Vancko, Officer-in-Charge 

Bonnie G. Martin, Vice President for Operations 

Dr. Debra Thatcher, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Dr. Donald P. Zingale, President (retired) 

Pat Wiater, Executive Vice President for Administration & Finance (retired) 

Steve Ackerknecht, Vice President for Student Development & Collegiate Life 

Ed Asselin, Assistant Vice President for Student Development/Director of Residential Life 

Phil Arnold, Director of Facilities Management 

Regina LaGatta, Vice President for College Advancement 

John Rose, Facilities Management Program Coordinator 

Susan Zimmermann, Interim Dean of the School of Liberal Arts 

Jerry Stacy, Executive Director of SUNY Cobleskill Auxiliary Services Inc. 

Tom Poltynski, Farm Coordinator 

Therese Garufi, Director of Equestrian Center 

Elizabeth Orgeron, Dean of the Van Wagenen Library 

Frank Lawrence, Chief of University Police and Emergency Management 

Jennifer Gray, Director of Institutional Research 

Tara Winter, Interim College Registrar/Director of Academic Planning and Analysis 

Lynn Dunn, Chair/Professor, Agricultural Business and Animal Science 

Chester Burton, Professor, School of Business 

James Dutcher, Chief Information Officer 

Timothy Moore, Interim Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources 

Michael McCaskey, School of Business 

Allan Quinn, Construction/Project Manager 

State University Construction Fund, Client Coordinator 

Jeffery Bittner, Capital Program Manager 

Consultant Team 

Perkins Eastman 

Christine Albright, Principal-in-Charge 

David Levo, Senior Associate, Project Manager and Senior Planner 

Katherine Gluckselig, Architect/Planner 

Daniel Ghesquiere, Architect/Planner 

Preeti Gupta, Architect/Planner 

Linhart Consulting, Educational Planning 

Trowbridge & Wolf, Landscape Architect 

M/E Engineering, MEP 

Leslie E. Robertson Associates, Structural 

Woodard & Curran, Civil 

Bruckhurst, Fish & Jacquemart [BFJ], Transportation 

VJ Associates, Cost Consultants 

Shen Milsom & Wilke [SM&W], IT & Security 

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November 2011 

PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT 

November 23, 2011 

‘‘This statement recognizes the efforts of the State University Construction Fund and 

Perkins Eastman in creating the Facilities Master Plan for the State University of New York 

College at Cobleskill. As the new Officer-in-Charge, I am grateful for the efforts of the 

campus community, the deans, and the vice presidents for providing Perkins Eastman with 

documentation and feedback for the completion of the Facilities Master Plan 2013-2023. 

As a result, the planned projects described in Phase 5 will assist in positioning our campus 

for success. I support the findings and goals contained in the plan, and the campus will 

continue to use this document as a planning tool for years to come.’’ 

Sincerely, 

Candace S. Vancko, Ph.D. 

Officer-in-Charge 

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CAMPUS 

PROFILE 


November 2011 

INTRODUCTION 

View from the SUNY Cobleskill 

Campus 

The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology 

at Cobleskill, known as SUNY Cobleskill, is a fully accredited, public, 

residential college offering 50 Bachelor’s and Associate degree programs 

through its School of Agriculture & Natural Resources, School of Business, 

and School of Liberal Arts. The State University Construction Fund [SUCF] 

engaged Perkins Eastman, along with its team of consultants, to conduct 

a Facilities Master Plan [FMP] for the College’s approximately 450 acres 

of State-owned land and 350 acres of Foundation and Campus Auxiliary 

Services-owned land. The FMP study was initiated in Fall of 2010. In the 

following months a wide array of information was collected and analyzed 

to gain a full understanding of the College in terms of academics, facilities, 

community, and culture. 

The full FMP document consists of five phases: 

1. Campus Profile 

2. Assessment of Conditions 

3. Analysis of Space Needs 

4. Concept Alternatives 

5. Final Recommendation 

The intent of the document is to provide guidelines for future campus 

improvements and developments that support SUNY Cobleskill’s 

academic mission and strategic vision. It also identifies, prioritizes, and 

structures future project requests for capital funding. This report, Phase 

1 of the FMP, presents the Campus Profile. 

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November 2011 

A 

HISTORY 

A – HISTORY 

OVERVIEW 

The creation of the State School of Agriculture in Cobleskill was part of a 

state and federal government initiative after 1900 to support agricultural 

education. As the techniques and economics of modern American farming 

led to the creation of larger and more efficient farms, the demand for 

knowledge in agricultural science and technical skills among farmers 

increased. The movement toward agricultural education resulted in the 

establishment of six State schools of agriculture by 1920, five in Upstate 

New York—in Cobleskill, Canton, Delhi, Alfred, and Morrisville—and the 

sixth in Farmingdale, Long Island. 

Historic Postcards of SUNY 

Cobleskill 

The prosperous agricultural valley of Cobleskill in Schoharie County, 

famous for its natural beauty and fertile land, was a fitting location for a 

new agricultural school. Residents of Cobleskill had been farming since 

the Village and Town were first settled in the 1710s and local farms were 

noted for both the quality of their field cropping and their cattle and 

livestock. The Town was—and still is—home to a respected Agricultural 

Society, which stages the annual Cobleskill Agricultural Fair whose 

Victorian-era fair grounds still exist today. 

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AHISTORY 


November 2011 

1912 School Trustees buy 

original acreage and 

foundations for main hall is laid 

1911 Daniel Frisbie 

introduces legislation to 

charter a State School of 

Agriculture in Cobleskill 

1923 School name is 

changed to the New York 

State School of Agriculture 

1937 Renamed New York 

Institute of Agriculture and 

Home Economics 

1933 First campus Nursery 

School opened to provide 

practicum experience for the 

Child Care Program 

1948 New York State School of 

Agriculture becomes part of the 

newly established SUNY system 

1952 Receives first 

accreditation from the Middle 

States Association of Colleges 

and Secondary Schools 

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 

1916 Doors open as the Schoharie State 

School of Agriculture 

1920-1931 Rural teacher training 

program is offered 

1948 Ryder Hall opened as a 

dormitory for women 

1917 Home economics division is added 

to the existing agriculture program 

1957 Renamed State University of New 

York Agriculture and Technology Institute 

at Cobleskill 

PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT 

SUNY Cobleskill has a century-long history dating back to 1911, when 

a charter for the school was approved by the New York State Legislature. 

Led by its first director, Halsey P. Knapp, the school opened its doors in 

1916 as the Schoharie School of Agriculture and was overseen by the 

State Department of Agriculture. Two years later, the first class of five 

students graduated from this small, rural school. 

In 1917 the Schoharie School of Agriculture expanded its academic 

focus to include a Home Economics department, which has evolved into 

hospitality administration, food service, and early childhood development 

programs. In 1919, seven women enrolled in the College, making the 

Schoharie School of Agriculture one of the few “co-educational” institutions 

of higher education in the state. By the 1920s, enrollment had grown to 

exceed 100 students, and three new buildings were constructed in what is 

today known as the “Upper Quad.” 

With the induction of its second director, Lee W. Crittenden, the school’s 

name was changed to the New York State School of Agriculture. At this 

time, a high school diploma was not required for admission. Students 

had the option of enrolling in a three-year course without a high school 

education or a two-year course with the completion of a high school 

education. A portion of the three-year curriculum in agricultural education 

was dedicated to practical work on the school farm or other farms, for 

which the students received compensation. Students gained experience in 

specialized occupations such as dairy and poultry farming, fruit growing, 

market gardening, and dairy inspection. 

Between 1920 and 1929, the College offered one- and two-year teacher 

training programs, which provided a higher-level education for rural 

teachers. After nearly a decade, these programs were relocated to state 

Normal Schools, also known as teachers’ colleges. 

In the late 1930s, under the leadership of its third director, Archie E. 

Champlin, the New York State School of Agriculture progressed from 

a vocational school to a post-secondary institution. Along with this 

development, its name was changed to the New York Institute of Agriculture 

and Home Economics and a high school diploma became a requirement 

for admission. By 1939, enrollment had grown to approximately 250 

students. 

Following World War II, the College experienced growth in both facilities 

and enrollment numbers. New academic programs were added and 

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November 2011 

A 

HISTORY 

1966 Designated a State 

University Agricultural 

and Technical College 

1987 Renamed State 

University of New York 

College of Agriculture and 

Technology at Cobleskill; 

First Bachelor’s degree is 

offered 

1996 SUNY founded the 

Technology Colleges sector, 

linking SUNY Cobleskill with 

other SUNY colleges of 

agriculture and technology 

2005 New full-service 

Equestrian Center opened 

2011 Anticipated 

construction start date for the 

new Center for Agriculture 

and Natural Resources 

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 

Major era of campus facilities growth 

2000 New Dairy Complex 

completed 

2016 Hundredth 

anniversary of College 

2001 First Bachelor of Business 

Administration applicants are accepted 

several new buildings were constructed as a result of the GI Bill. In 1948, 

when the State University of New York [SUNY] was officially established, 

the New York School of Agriculture was one of the original member 

institutions. Four years later, the College received its first accreditation 

by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 

1957, during the tenure of its fifth president, Ray L. Wheeler, the College 

was renamed the State University of New York Agriculture and Technology 

Institute at Cobleskill. 

SUNY Cobleskill experienced a major period of growth from the 1960s 

to the early 1970s. The majority of existing campus facilities was 

constructed during this time, including Van Wagenen Library and many of 

the dormitory buildings. The campus expanded south and west from the 

original quad of Frisbie Hall, Alumni Hall, the Home Economics building, 

and the Old Gym, with new additions joining Hodder Hall, the University 

Police building, the Carriage House, and the Plant Annex Storage on 

the west side of Route 7. The western portion of the campus, separated 

from the main campus by Route 7, developed as an agricultural zone 

with dairy and horse barns, a fish hatchery, a meat processing plant, 

and instructional facilities for plant science and fisheries and wildlife. 

Enrollment surpassed 1,000 and the student population became more 

diverse as the newly established Equal Opportunity Program [EOP] 

encouraged the inclusion of a wider range of applicants. 

The year 1987 marked a milestone in the history of the College, when 

SUNY Cobleskill began offering its first baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor 

of Technology in Agricultural Science. In the same year, the school was 

renamed the State University of New York College of Agriculture and 

Technology at Cobleskill, as it is known today. 

From the 1990s to the present day, SUNY Cobleskill has continued to 

evolve both physically and academically. In 2001, the College introduced 

its first Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. Four years later, 

SUNY Cobleskill was approved to begin a Bachelor of Science in Child 

Care and Development. A state-of-the-art dairy facility, a new child care 

center, and an addition to Bouck Hall were also constructed in the early 

2000s. More recently, the College added a new full-service equestrian 

center to support its degree programs in Equine Studies. In 2010, the 

12,000 sf research space for its Center for Environmental Science and 

Technology research center opened, affording Cobleskill a facility to 

research 1 cutting-edge biomass energy generation applications. 

Sources: A History of Cobleskill College (1911-1990) by Freeman 

Ashworth, Editor; SUNY Cobleskill Faculty Member Francine Apollo, 

11/30/10; 

“Back to the Farm,” NY Times, September 25, 1921 

Graphic A1 

Campus Timeline 

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AHISTORY 


November 2011 

Graphic A2 

Development of SUNY Cobleskill 

PRESENT DAY 

Today, the College’s evolution and expansion into a comprehensive 

polytechnic and baccalaureate college continues with the renovation and 

addition of several significant new facilities. 

In addition to the recently completed Center for Environmental Science & 

Technology, the College recently completed the renovation of Frisbie Hall 

as home for much of the Humanities program. 

1940 

1970 

In 2011 the College completed the addition to Wheeler Hall, providing 

contemporary science instruction space and allowing for the renovation 

of the remainder of that building. It is expected that all of Wheeler Hall 

will be on-line by the fall of 2013. 

In 2012 the College will begin construction in earnest on the Center for 

Agriculture & Natural Resources. This environmentally sustainable building 

will consolidate many of the farm and agriculture programs under one 

roof, allowing for greater efficiencies and improved learning. This effort 

will also involve the reorganization of much of the agriculture side of the 

campus, including the demolition of several barns. 

Additional projects include the redesign of much of the College’s open 

space, starting with the reconstruction of Knapp Plaza in the summer of 

2012, a new equine office building, and a new heifer barn. 

Further information on the physical aspects of the campus can be found 

in Section G, Physical Environment. 

2000 

2015 

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November 2011 

A 

HISTORY 

Buildings completed prior to 1935 

Buildings completed in 1950-1969 



Unknown 

Campus Boundary 

Railroad Tracks 

Graphic A3 

Campus in 2010 - Buildings by 

Year Occupied 

1. 102 - Equine Arena, 2008 

1a. 103 - Horse Stalls, 1966 (orig. const.) 

2. 093 - New Dairy Complex, 2002 

3. 104 - CEST Bldg, 2010 

4. 024a - PM Shop, 1978 

4a. 092 - Salt Storage, 2001 

5. 025 - Warehouse, 1966 

6. 024 - Mackey Service Bldg, 1966 

7. 030 - Livestock Housing, 1958 

7a. 097 - Commodity Sheds, 2002 

8. 049 - Equine Training, 1974 

9a. 050 - Horse Barn, 1976 

9b. 019 - Stallion Barn, 1966 

10. 020 - Old Dairy Barn, 1966 

11. 022 - Animal Husbandry, 1966 

12. 021 - Fish Hatchery, 1966 

13. 023 - Meat Processing, 1967 

14. 018 - Hay Storage, 1966 

15. 091 - Livestock Housing/Machine 

Storage, 1986 

16. 058 - Turf Grass , 1985 

17. 017 - Farm/Hort. Machinery, 1986 

18. 053 - Greenhouses, 1980 

18a. 007 - Chemical Storage, 1974 

19. 016/016a - Hodder Hall/ Addition, 

1966/1972 

20. 061 - Hodder Hall Garage, 1913 

21. 015 - Curtis Mott, 1966 

22. 039 - University Police, 1970 

23. 040 - Kniskern House, 1970 

24. 043 - Davis Hall, 1972 

25. 044 - Parsons Hall, 1972 

26. 045 - Porter Hall, 1971 

27. 046 - Ten Eyck Hall, 1971 

28. 047 - Fake Hall, 1971 

29. 042 - Champlin Hall, 1971 

30. 048 - Brickyard Point, 1971 

31. 006 - Beard Wellness Center, 1971 

32. 035 - Dix Hall, 1966 

33. 031 - Pearson Hall, 1966 

34. 100 - Child Care Center, 2004 

35. 036 - Draper Hall, 1966 

36. 037 - Knapp Hall, 1969 

37. 032 - Prentice Hall, 1963 

38. 033 - Vroman Hall, 1962 

39. 014 - Bouck Hall, 1965 

39a. 014a - Swimming Pool, 1973 

39b. 014b - Bouck Hall Expansion, 2003 

40. 012 - Wheeler Hall, 1964 

40a. 012a - Wheeler Hall Expansion, 2011 

40b. 057 - Chemical Storage, 1987 

41. 034 - Wieting Hall, 1962 

42. 011 - Van Wagenen Lib, 1973 

43. 003 - Alumni Hall, 1918 

44. 004 - Old Gym, 1926 

45. 001 - Frisbie Hall, 1913 

46. 002 - Home Economics, 1916 

47. 013 - Ryder Hall, 1951 

48. 005 - Warner-Holmes, 1971 

49. 051 - Fish and Wildlife, 1981 

50. 052 - Fish and Wildlife Storage, 1981 

51. 059 - Field House, 1989 

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AHISTORY 


November 2011 

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES ON CAMPUS 

Turn-of-the-Century Architecture 

The four buildings that comprise the “Upper Quad”—Frisbie Hall, the Old 

Gym, the Home Economics building, and Alumni Hall—are among the 

oldest campus structures. These buildings, constructed in the early 1900s, 

share a similar architectural style and material palette. Georgian-style 

features are evident in the classical symmetry and simple box construction 

of all buildings, the central cupola of Frisbie Hall, and the suggestion 

of two chimneys on both ends of the Home Economics building. All 

buildings are clad in cream-colored brick, with subtle geometric patterned 

brickwork on the façade. The buildings of SUNY Cobleskill’s Upper 

Quad are characteristic of many of the American schoolhouses that were 

constructed at the turn of the century. 

1960s and 1970s Construction 

The majority of the campus’s existing buildings were constructed during 

the 1960s and early 1970s. Buildings constructed in the early- to mid- 

1960s are stylistically distinguished from the buildings constructed in the 

late 1960s and early 1970s. The earlier buildings, such as Curtis Mott and 

Wheeler Hall, have a horizontal emphasis and are composed of simple 

orthogonal volumes characteristic of the Modernist style of architecture 

that was popular at the time. 

Recent Renovations and New Construction 

Several buildings on campus were renovated or expanded in the early 

2000s, including Bouck Hall, Knapp Hall, and the Child Care Center. 

Frisbie Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, was recently renovated 

and reopened in 2010 as a classroom and faculty office building. The 

historically sensitive renovation preserves the charm of the original 

building while adding computer classrooms and a large lecture hall. 

Wheeler Hall, the College’s Liberal Arts and Sciences building, is currently 

undergoing an overhaul that will include a 23,345 GSF addition. 

The style of these renovations and additions represent a post-modern 

“neo-eclectic” style of architecture, common in many commercial and 

institutional buildings today. 

The newer buildings on campus, including the Dairy Barn Complex, the 

Arena, and the Center for Environmental Science and Technology, are 

simple, utilitarian structures designed to support specialized teaching, 

learning, and research functions. 

Many of the barns and storage buildings were also constructed in the mid- 

1960s, though they are constructed in an agricultural vernacular style. 

The buildings are utilitarian in nature, with brick or concrete walls, and 

have shingled mansard roofs that are reminiscent of many commercial 

vernacular structures in roadside America. These buildings include the 

Stallion Barn, the Old Dairy Housing, the Fish Hatchery, the Animal 

Husbandry Classroom, and the Meat Processing building. 

The campus buildings that were constructed in the late 1970s and early 

1970s are stylistically quite different. Structures such as Van Wagenen 

Library are defined by a modern style with bolder formalistic gestures, 

including double-height spaces and non-orthogonal geometries. 

The concrete dormitories at the south end of the campus, unofficially 

known as “Concrete City,” were constructed in the same era. These 

buildings represent an architectural style known as Brutalism, which 

was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Exposed concrete and a coarse, 

blockish exterior are characteristic of this architectural style. 

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November 2011 

A 

HISTORY 

PAST AND CURRENT PLANNING EFFORTS 

2010 Landscape Master Plan for Academic Core 

2012 Route 7 Traffic Calming Project 

SUNY Cobleskill has undertaken several significant planning efforts within 

the last 10 years—most notably the 2007 Master Plan by JMZ. 

2007 Master Plan 

This planning effort by JMZ spanned 2006-2007 and produced a 

significant document that codified many of the needs long seen on the 

campus. It specifically sought to address space need deficiencies in the 

School of Agriculture & Natural Resources and build the case for what 

would be one of the largest capital investments at SUNY Cobleskill in 

decades. The plan also sought to coordinate social activities across the 

campus with the construction of a new collegiate center and improve 

pedestrian safety on Route 7, amongst other initiatives. 

More than half of this planning effort also sought to map out the condition 

of building and mechanical systems across the campus and propose 

remedies. 

2007 & 2011 Building Condition Assessment Survey 

In 2007 the State University Construction Fund, in collaboration with SUNY 

Cobleskill, conducted the Building Condition Assessment Survey [BCAS], 

which qualitatively assessed the condition of exterior, interior, structural, 

and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems. This information 

informed how SUCF would appropriate and allocate resources to bring 

much of Cobleskill’s facilities (as well as the entire SUNY system) back to 

a state of good repair by 2023. 

An audit and update of this information was conducted as part of the 

2011 SUNY Cobleskill FMP. Additionally, SUCF is conducting a BCAS 

update in the fall of 2011 that will supercede the 2011 FMP. 

In 2008 the College contracted Trowbridge & Wolf to conduct a landscape 

master plan for the academic core of the campus. This plan sought to 

create a clearer visual hierarchy of open spaces and pedestrian circulation 

routes. This plan is largely complete and the first phase of work at Knapp 

Plaza should begin in the summer of 2012. This plan informs the last two 

phases of the FMP process and can be found almost in total in the FMP 

Final Recommendations. 

2010 Campus-wide Underground Infrastructure Study 

In 2009 the College contracted C+S Companies to conduct a campuswide 

infrastructure study to assess the condition of systems and identify 

projects to address needs. Much of this project informs the Phase 2 and 

4 Reports. The Infrastructure Report was completed in the summer of 

2011. 

2011 Second Century Enterprise 

In 2009 the College began a visioning exercise known as the “Second 

Century Enterprise” to determine the future of Cobleskill’s next 100 years. 

This planning/visioning process concluded in the summer of 2011 and 

will inform the academic planning study that is to commence later in the 

year. 

2011 Culinary Arts Academic Plan 

In the spring of 2011 the College conducted a study of the academic 

direction of the Culinary Arts program and determined that it would shift 

from being mainly a two-year program, focused on food production and 

preparation, to a four-year program that begins with food preparation 

and then focuses on restaurant management. 

In 2009 the College and Schoharie County were awarded a grant by the 

U.S. Department of Transportation to implement traffic calming measures 

on Route 7 through the campus. Those measures are expected to be 

implemented in the summer of 2012. As further consideration has been 

given to this project, the existing funding appears insufficient in supporting 

an effective and comprehensive traffic calming through the campus. 

Future Residential Project 

The college has been examining options to build new apartmentstyle 

housing for Bachelor-level students. Possible locations that were 

considered include: 

• College-owned land on north side of Route 7, adjacent to the 

Child Care Center (rejected as the College felt it could not spare 

the loss/relocation of parking) 

• Privately-owned industrial land that is east of the historic hilltop 

quad (rejected as land acquisition and existing building demolition 

costs were prohibitive) 

• Privately held agricultural land to west of the campus beyond 

Cobleskill Creek (rejected as it is in a flood plain and land 

acquisition costs were prohibitive) 

• Campus Auxiliary Services land currently occupied by the ski 

lodge (rejected as being too distant, not walk-able, and contrary 

to the College’s sustainability and campus vitality policies) 

• Replacement of existing housing with new housing (rejected as 

presenting logistic challenges, being difficult to fund as much of 

the existing housing is on the edge of a flood zone) 

• Agriculture side of campus between Curtis Mott and the new 

CANR 

• Agriculture side of campus at P-Lot 

Center for Agriculture & Natural Resources 

Middle States Reaccreditation and 2011 Academic Master Plan 

Approval and funding for the Center for Agriculture & Natural Resources 

was the largest success to come out of the 2007 Master Plan. Building 

programming was conducted to verify the specific needs of this project. 

Sequencing, surge space, and programming for vacated spaces were not 

addressed as part of this process, but were subsequently worked out in 

the summer of 2011. Groundbreaking has been delayed from its original 

start date and occupancy is not expected until 2014. 

In the fall of 2011 the College will conduct an environmental scan 

(examination of graduate job absorption rates) and a broad academic 

review of all programs. This effort will supercede enrollment projections 

conducted as part of the FMP Phase 3 Report. This study is being done as 

part of the Middle States reaccreditation process, which is to be complete 

before the end of 2011. 

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AHISTORY 


November 2011 

Knapp Hall 

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November 2011 

MISSION 

B 

B – MISSION 

It is the mission of SUNY Cobleskill to “provide superior educational 

experiences supported by technology“ and to maintain a studentcentered 

learning environment that fosters “friendship, cooperation, and 

respect.” 

Though the content of SUNY Cobleskill’s curricula and academic 

programs has evolved over the last century, its commitment to a highquality, 

career-centered education has remained constant. Students are 

given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of field experiences, 

from raising live fish at the coldwater fish hatchery to training horses at 

the campus’s state-of-the-art equestrian center. The College’s handson 

curriculum encourages the practical application of knowledge, giving 

students the advantage of real-life experience prior to graduation. 

STRATEGIC PLANS 

SUNY Cobleskill has embarked on a comprehensive planning process 

that will guide the future development of the College. A part of that effort 

has produced a Strategic Plan for 2004-2011 - Developing Capacities, 

defining its mission and vision. A list of eight “Strategic Imperatives,” or 

long-term objectives, are highlighted in the Plan: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Create a Culture of Excellence 

Create a Culture that Values and Promotes the Diversity of the 

Human Experience 

Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Strategic Enrollment 

Management Plan 

Improve Financial Base 

Support Abilities in Advancement, Development, and Outreach 

Invest in People 

Embed Assessment into all Areas of the Campus Environment 

Establish SUNY Cobleskill as a Sustainable Institution 

The next phase of the planning process, The Second Century Enterprise, 

is currently underway. This Plan builds upon ideas in the preceding SUNY 

Cobleskill Strategic Plan and also references the Strategic Plan of the State 

University of New York (SUNY), The Power of SUNY. Again, it identifies 

eight key objectives in the future development of the College: 

• Student Success 

• Community Partners 

• Cultural Competence 

• Effective Scholarship 

• Economic and Environmental Sustainability 

• Managed Enrollment 

• National Recognition 

• Solid and Diversified Financial Base 

While SUNY Cobleskill identifies closely with the mission of SUNY to 

provide a high-quality education that is accessible to a diverse range 

of students, it also distinguishes itself from other Colleges in the SUNY 

system. In The Second Century Enterprise, SUNY Cobleskill summarizes 

its vision as “real life: real learning.” The concept of experiential learning 

has been at the core of the College since the school opened its doors in 

1916. SUNY Cobleskill offers a personal, small-college experience for a 

reasonable, public-school price. 

SUNY Cobleskill Students 

In order to achieve its vision for the future, the College outlined several 

action-oriented priorities: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Advance the curriculum to meet the changing needs of its 

students 

Develop functional relationships with the surrounding community 

and individual businesses 

Attract and retain diverse and talented faculty and staff 

members 

Nurture alumni and stakeholder relations 

15

BMISSION 


November 2011 

The following objectives are identified in The Second Century Enterprise: 

CULTURAL COMPETENCE 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION 

Graphic B1 

Diagram of the Second Century 

Enterprise 

STUDENT SUCCESS 

The first priority of the College is student success, to be achieved through 

active learning and real-life experience. SUNY Cobleskill continues its 

dedication to excellence in all aspects of the learning experience, from 

recruiting high-quality faculty and staff to improving its curriculum and 

program offerings. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS 

Building strategic partnerships within the community is another key goal 

of the College. These relationships include local and regional academic, 

financial, social service, political, and business entities. As part of its 

commitment to community involvement, SUNY Cobleskill hosts a wide 

variety of public events throughout the year. In the past year, the College 

has hosted the Marathon for a Better Life, a cancer fundraising event for 

Schoharie County; the ARC COBY Challenge games, an event for the 

non-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities; 

and various Girl Scout events, to name a few. The College also hosts the 

New York State Future Farmers of America [FFA] convention, an annual 

event that draws more than 1,200 members from across the state. 

Institutional 

Advancement 

Prof. 

Dev. 

Dissemination 

Accomplishments 

Currency 

Involvement 

National 

Recognition 

Marketing 

Disciplinarity 

Effective 

Scholarship 

Dynamic 

Managed 

Enrollment 

Assessment 

Experience 

Placement 

Student Success 

Transformative 

REAL LIFE: 

text 

REAL 

LEARNING 

Uncommon 

Awareness 

Engaged 

Enrichment 

Cultural 

Competence 

Sustainability 

Diversity 

Community 

Partnerships 

Academic Affairs 

Synergistic 

Relationships 

Leveraged 

Resources 

Cultural 

Center 

Model 

Environment 

Cultural diversity is another main goal of SUNY Cobleskill. It is a priority 

for the College that students are exposed to a global perspective both 

academically and socially. This includes the development of a culturally 

sensitive curriculum, the active recruitment of a diverse student body, and 

the offering of extracurricular activities that “enrich and extend student 

experiences and attitudes towards cultural differences at local and global 

levels.” 

EFFECTIVE SCHOLARSHIP 

Scholarship is a critical element of the College’s commitment to 

excellence. It is important for faculty members to maintain awareness of 

cutting-edge developments in their fields and to engage themselves in the 

larger community. Faculty members must attend to their own continued 

education, as well as the education of their students. 

ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 

SUNY Cobleskill is committed to building a sustainable environment for the 

future. In the Strategic Plan for 2004-2011, sustainability is defined as an 

“ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable” environment, 

which extends from the thoughtful consumption of food and energy to 

the standard of values that is upheld within the campus community. In 

2006 the College signed the Talloires Declaration, an action plan for 

sustainability, which has since grown to include a network of over 400 

institutions of higher education worldwide. 

MANAGED ENROLLMENT 

SUNY Cobleskill prides itself in maintaining small class sizes that maximize 

faculty-student interaction and ensure a personal learning experience for 

each student. Rather than growing enrollment numbers significantly, it 

is the goal of the College to build a high-quality and diverse student 

population over the next decade. As stated in the preliminary draft of 

The Second Century Enterprise, there will be a focus on increasing the 

percentage of students who earn their degrees and improving the quality 

of existing academic programs. 

SUNY Cobleskill seeks to raise its profile on a national level for its highly 

accomplished student body, its dedicated faculty and staff, and its unique 

academic programs that provide “real life” learning experiences for 

its students. This objective ties in with the College’s goals to increase 

local community involvement and build partnerships regionally and 

nationally. 

SUNY Cobleskill has been ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as 

one of the Best Comprehensive Colleges in the Northeast for 2005, 2006, 

2007, and 2008. 

SOLID AND DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL BASE 

The final objective described in the draft of the The Second Century 

Enterprise relates to the financial underpinnings of the College. SUNY 

Cobleskill requires a secure financial base in order to achieve its mission 

and vision for the future. This involves increased funding for the College, 

as well as greater revenue through grants, sponsored programs, and 

continuing education. 

It is the intent of the second century planning effort to energize the College 

while building on its unique characteristics and strengths. As succinctly 

stated by President Zingale in his preamble to the November 26 draft of 

the Plan: 

“Preparing for a second century of service fuels our passion for 

possibility. Increasingly, our long history of proactive commitment 

to “Real Life: Real Learning” is garnering our campus an enviable 

reputation as a transformative learning community that is engaged, 

dynamic and uncommon.” 

Administration & 

Finance 

Obstacle- 

Free 

Balanced 

Programming 

Special 

Mission 

Funding 

Solid & Diversified 

Financial Base 

Accountable 

External Resourcing 

Sponsorship 

Energy 

Efficient 

Curricular 

Infusion 

Collegiate Life & 

Student Affairs 

16


November 2011 

MISSION 

B 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 

As an Agriculture and Technology College, SUNY Cobleskill has evolved 

from a vocational training school to a comprehensive college offering 

50 Bachelor’s and Associate degree programs in three schools. In its 

next phase, the College is transitioning to a predominately baccalaureate 

institution, with targeted technical and associate degree programs and its 

first master’s degree in Agribusiness. 

SUNY Cobleskill is currently organized into three schools with supporting 

departments: 

School of Agriculture & Natural Resources 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Agricultural Business and Animal Science 

Agricultural Engineering 

Fisheries and Wildlife 

Plant Science 

Cobleskill continues to review its associate degree programs, eliminating 

those that are no longer relevant and adding new programs based on the 

student market and workplace demands. 

SUNY Cobleskill is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges 

and Secondary Schools and must complete its self-study in the 2010-2011 

academic year. Specialized accredited academic programs include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Culinary Arts, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the 

American Culinary Federation 

Early Childhood, accredited by the National Association for the 

Education of Young Children [NAEYC] 

Histotechnology, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency 

for Clinical Lab Sciences [NAACLS] 

Agricultural Equipment Technology, Accredited by the Associated 

Equipment Distributors Foundation 

In addition to special accreditations, the College is also a member of 

the National Chef’s Collaborative, the New York State Restaurant 

Association, the Baker’s Guild, and the New York State Hospitality and 

Tourism Association. These specialized accreditations and memberships 

contribute to the College’s emphasis on excellence. 

SUNY Cobleskill’s “Hands-On” 

Learning 

School of Business & Computer Technology 

• 

• 

• 

Business Administration and Accounting 

Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism 

Information Technology 

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Early Childhood 

Exploratory Studies 

Humanities, Communications, and Graphic Design 

Mathematics 

Natural Sciences 

Sport, Movement & Exercise 

Social Sciences 

In line with the College’s commitment to becoming a primarily four-year 

institution, the certificate programs have been phased out. By the same 

token, associate degree program offerings are gradually being reduced. 

By 2023 the College expects associate degree programs to represent 

only 32% of total enrollment, down from 87% in the fall of 2005. 

Baccalaureate enrollment, which in the fall of 2005 represented only 13% 

of the total enrollment, is expected to increase to 68% by fall 2023. The 

first master’s degree program is expected to begin in fall 2014, and by 

2023 will represent approximately 1% of the College’s enrollment. SUNY 

17

BMISSION 


November 2011 

Home Economics Building 

18


November 2011 

SUNY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITYC 

C – SUNY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY 

REGIONAL CONTEXT 

SUNY Cobleskill is located on the northern edge of the Catskills region, 

strategically close to the Albany metropolitan area and a three-hour 

drive from the greater New York City region. This region is dominated by 

government as one of the largest employment sectors, closely followed by 

the healthcare industries. 

SUNY Canton 

SUNY Oswego 

SUNY College at 

Brockport 

SUNY Potsdam 

SUNY Plattsburgh 

SUNY IT 

SUNY Morrisville 

SUNY Canton 

SUNY Oswego 


Brockport 

SUNY Potsdam 

SUNY Plattsburgh 


SUNY Morrisville 

The College’s location on the northern edge of the Catskills strategically 

locates it within easy reach of New York City’s and the eastern seaboard’s 

premium gourmet food markets. Schoharie County should continue to 

benefit economically as demand for locally sourced produce and food 

grows in the city’s restaurants and grocery stores. 

SUNY Geneseo 

Buffalo State 

College 

SUNY 

Fredonia 

SUNY COBLESKILL 

SUNY Empire 

State College 

SUNY Delhi 

SUNY New Paltz 

SUNY Geneseo 

Buffalo State 

College 


Fredonia 


SUNY Empire 

State College 


SUNY New Paltz 

Notable technology sectors—nanotechnology development clustered 

in Albany, GE in Schenectady, and Globalfoundaries’ (formerly a part 

of AMD) upcoming $7B computer chip fabrication facility in Saratoga 

County—also exist in the region. These industrial concerns anchor Tech 

Valley, a region in eastern New York State that extends from the Canadian 

border in the north to Orange County in the south; from Vermont, 

Massachusetts, and Connecticut in the east; and to Utica in the west. 

Tech Valley is composed of 19 counties, including: 

SUNY Alfred State 

SUNY Cortland 


Oneonta 

CORE CAPITAL REGION 

PERIPHERAL REGION 

SUNY Purchase 

SUNY Farmingdale 


Old Westbury 

SUNY Maritime 

SUNY Alfred State 

SUNY Cortland 


Oneonta 

TECH VALLEY 

SUNY Purchase 

SUNY Farmingdale 


Old Westbury 

SUNY Maritime 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Albany 

Clinton 

Columbia 

Dutchess 

Essex 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Greene 

Hamilton 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Herkimer 

Montgomery 

Orange 

Renssalaer 

Saratoga 

Schenectady 

Schoharie 

Ulster 

Warren 

Washington 

Graphic C1 

SUNY System, Cobleskill and 

Albany Regions 

SUNY Comprehensives 

SUNY Colleges of Technology 

Graphic C2 

SUNY System, Cobleskill and 

“Tech Valley” 

The College is also the only agriculture and technology college located in 

Tech Valley. Given the nascent state of “Tech Valley,” it is neither a major 

employment driver nor a generally recognized cultural or economic 

region; therefore, it is not a driver in the College’s programs. This is 

unlikely to change over the planning window of the FMP. 

AN “UNCOMMON CAMPUS” 

As a member of the State University of New York [SUNY] System, SUNY 

Cobleskill shares in its mission of providing excellent educational services 

at an affordable price. Through SUNY, the College benefits from the 

19

C 


SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY 

Graphic C3 

SUNY Cobleskill Regional 

Context 

Job Training Program 

2 Year Program 


4+ Year Program 


Mohawk Valley 

Community College 

90 

30 miles 

45min 

Otsego Area 

Occupational Center 

Herkimer County 


20 miles 

30min 

10 miles 

15min 

Adirondacks 

Empire State College 

Fulton-Montgomery 



Skidmore College 

Empire State College 

90 

890 

Excelsior College 

Siena College 

University at Albany 

87 

Union College 

Siena College 

Adirondack 

Community 

College- 

Saratoga 

787 

The College of 

St. Rose 

Russel-Sage 

College 

Rensselaer 

Poly-Tech 

Hudson Valley 

Community 

College 


November 2011 

knowledge and resources of the largest comprehensive system of higher 

education institutions in the world. 

The SUNY system consists of four groups of institutions, all with very 

different missions (community colleges, agriculture and technical colleges, 

comprehensive colleges, and research universities). SUNY Cobleskill i ans 

agriculture and technology college, a sector notable for the divergent and 

entrepreneurial paths of its member institutions. Some of these institutions 

have generally focused on various technologies and trades, while others 

have sought to more closely resemble comprehensive colleges. At the 

same time, many community colleges have sought to increase their 

course offerings by more closely resembling the ag-tech colleges. Within 

this context, Cobleskill maintains a diverse array of majors, but is notable 

for how its agriculture programs dominate its character and infuse the 

College with a national perspective—even if these programs are not the 

majority of instruction. 

88 

Utica School 

of Commerce - Oneonta 

Maria College 

90 

Due to this positioning, the College has both a very localized and supraregional 

perspective. For this reason the College considers itself an 

“Uncommon campus” within the array of SUNY institutions. 

Hartwick College 

SUNY Oneonta 

ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS 


Catskills 

87 

Columbia Greene 


SUNY Cobleskill’s articulation agreements with other institutions of higher 

education demonstrate its dedication to connectivity within and beyond 

the SUNY system. The College has established articulation agreements 

with community colleges, public colleges, and private universities 

both nationally and internationally, which ease the transfer of SUNY 

Cobleskill’s students to baccalaureate and master’s degree programs at 

other institutions and vice versa (see Appendix for list). 

PEER INSTITUTIONS 

Job Training Program 



4+ Year Program 

The College identifies its peer institutions as the Pennsylvania College of 

Technology, CUNY New York City College of Technology, and Southern 

Vermont College. Its aspirational peers are Green Mountain College 

in Vermont, Cazenovia College, and the University of Minnesota- 

Crookston, which have all successfully transitioned from two-year to fouryear 

colleges. The College has also identified the University of Maine at 

Farmington and Dakota State University as worthy of emulation for their 

retention and graduation rates, students’ standardized test scores, and 

alumni support. 

20


November 2011 

CHARACTERISTICSD 

D – CHARACTERISTICS 

SUNY Cobleskill has 19 Baccalaureate degree programs and 31 Associate 

degree programs. While they include a broad range of disciplines from 

Business to Child Care, Cobleskill’s distinctive identity is based in its focus 

on agriculture and natural resources. National and regional distinctive 

programs include: 


Learning 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Turf Management 

Landscape Development 

Fisheries and Wildlife 

Agricultural Business 

Dairy Production 

Beef and Livestock Production 

Equine Studies 

Culinary Arts 

SUNY Cobleskill’s nationally recognized Culinary Arts program is a 

member of the American Culinary Federation, the National Chef’s 

Collaborative, the New York State Restaurant Association, the Baker’s 

Guild, and the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. 

SUNY Cobleskill is a significant economic driver for the region, positively 

impacting the quality of life by creating an educated workforce, forming 

partnerships with corporations and the community, and providing 

numerous cultural, athletic, and regional events. 

Environmental responsibility is also a key value of the College. Profiled 

in the Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges, Cobleskill was 

one of nine schools in the State University of New York system to be 

honored. In addition to signing the Talloires Declaration for sustainability 

(this differs from the American College and University Presidents’ Climate 

Commitment, of which Cobleskill is not a signatory), created for and 

by presidents of institutions of higher learning, SUNY Cobleskill has 

incorporated sustainability into the College’s Strategic Plan. It has also 

implemented a campus-wide recycling program and “Taste Don’t Waste,” 

a waste-reduction program in the dining halls. All new construction 

and major renovations are to conform to Leadership in Energy and 

Environmental Design (LEED) standards. In 2009, SUNY Cobleskill broke 

ground on its new Center for Environmental Science and Technology, 

which will house research in biowaste-to-bioenergy technology. Also last 

year, the College and Schoharie County Public Transit launched a new 

public transit program with an expanded service area and reduced fares 

for students. 

21

DCHARACTERISTICS 


November 2011 

SUNY Cobleskill - Student Life 

STUDENT LIFE 

Of the total headcount of 2,687 students in 2009, 1,450 currently reside 

in campus in residence halls. The relatively low participation of students 

in on-campus activities, and consequent departure on weekends by many 

students, is considered by the College administration to be a significant 

issue to be remedied by the proposed new Collegiate Center. 

SUNY Cobleskill believes that students benefit and achieve the highest level 

of learning if they participate in a broad array of college experiences over 

an extended period of time. Through the Office of Student Development 

and Collegiate Life, programs and services are made available to help 

share in the students’ overall development in and out of the classroom. 

Over 30 clubs and student organizations exist on the campus, and 

nearly 300 leadership positions are available to students in a variety of 

settings: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Resident Assistants (89) 

Student Government (30) 

Night Hosts (50) 

Fall Arrival Team Members (50) 

Peer Mentor/Orientation Leaders (40) 

Orange Key Society (80) 

Student Medical Response Team (30) 

Student Recreation Team (8) 

Brickyard Point Student Staff (8) 

Ski Lodge Activities Team (12) 

Student Club Officer (200+) 

The Brickyard Point, a social venue, offers a range of entertainment options 

for students in the evening. The Office of Communiversity Affairs seeks 

to develop both the College and the Village as a destination of choice 

for educational, cultural, service learning, and community enhancement 

activities. 

RECREATION & ATHLETICS 

SUNY Cobleskill was a member of the National Junior College Athletic 

Association [NJCAA] until the Fall of 2008. This academic year is the third 

year that it has competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 

[NCAA] as a D-III member. It is also a member of the North East Athletic 

Conference [NEAC] and has an associate membership in the North 

Atlantic Conference. 

The College has 250 unduplicated student-athletes (318 opportunities) 

and competes in 19 sports: 

Men 

Basketball 

Cross Country 

Golf 

Lacrosse 

Soccer 

Swimming & Diving 

Indoor Track & Field 

Outdoor Track & Field 

Women 

Basketball 

Cross Country 

Golf 

Soccer 

Softball 

Swimming & Diving 

Indoor Track & Field 

Outdoor Track & Field 

Volleyball 

Athletic facilities include: natural baseball, softball, soccer/lacrosse fields; 

a basketball arena that also hosts volleyball; a swimming pool; outdoor 

tennis courts; and a field house. The facilities also support recreation 

activities, such as flag football, soccer, tour de COBY, badminton, yoga, 

and the College’s wrestling club. 

Another important part of student life on the SUNY Cobleskill campus 

is the Student Success Center, which provides support for students and 

alumni in achieving their educational, personal, and career goals. The 

Success Center offers personalized counseling, specialized career fairs, 

graduate school fairs, workshops, internships, and web-based career 

services for students. 

In regard to athletics, baseball and tennis are scheduled to be phased out 

by the 2011-2012 academic year, with the baseball field to be replaced 

with a proposed state-of-the-art soccer/lacrosse field with artificial turf 

and bleachers. Women’s golf is slated to be added. 

22


November 2011 

STATISTICAL DATA 

E 

E – STATISTICAL DATA 

CAMPUS COMMUNITY 

In the fall semester of 2009, the campus community at SUNY Cobleskill 

including the following headcount: 

Campus Community 

Students 2,687 

Faculty 146 

Adjunct Faculty 53 

Staff Full Time 276 

Part Time 12 

FACULTY 

53% 

As of fall 2009, SUNY Cobleskill had a total number of 199 faculty 

Master’s Degree 

24% 

members. Of the total headcount, 87 were Doctorate professors Degree or associate 

professors and 53 were adjunct faculty. The remaining faculty members 

fell into the categories of Assistant Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, and 

“Other.” 

23% 

Other 

24% 

Doctorate Degree 

2009 

Faculty Degrees 

53% 

Master’s Degree 

61% 

Male 

2009 

Faculty by Gender 

39% 

Female 

Graphic E1 

2009 Faculty Ratios 

In 2009, the male/female ratio was 3 to 2, with a disproportionately large 

number of male faculty members. The College is committed to balancing 

this ratio in the upcoming years. 

3% Other 

At the time that this planning data was collected, 53% of faculty members 

at SUNY Cobleskill held Master’s degrees and 24% held Doctorate 

degrees. 

STAFF 

Of the 288 staff headcount in 2009, the majority (96%) were full-time 

employees. Staff members are categorized under the following groups: 

Executive / Administrative; Technical / Paraprofessional; Clerical / 

Secretarial; Skilled Crafts; Service / Maintenance; and “other.” 

27% 

Adjunct 

16% 

Lecturer 

26% 

Professor 

18% 

Assoc. Prof. 

11% 

Instructor 

2009 

Faculty by Rank 

1% Asst. Prof. 

23

ESTATISTICAL DATA 


November 2011 

Graphic E2 

2009 Student Ratios 

8.9% Unkown 

0.8% International 

0.6% American Indian 

0.9% Asian 

5% Hispanic 

8% Black 

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS 

Since 1997, when enrollment at SUNY Cobleskill reached a low 

headcount of 2,175 students, the College has made steady progress in 

increasing the total number of students. In terms of headcount students, 

overall enrollment from fall 2004 to fall 2009 has increased 7%, from 

2,510 to 2,687. Articulation agreements with community colleges have 

doubled the number of transfer students over this period, though the total 

number of transfer students represents only 9% of the student body. The 

College has also reduced its reliance on first-time college students, while 

increasing the number of continuing and returning students. 

Approximately 96% of SUNY Cobleskill’s students attend full-time. The 

College has planned for more part-time students through the types of 

programs it offers. About 19% fewer students resided on-campus in the 

fall of 2009 versus 2004, representing 57% of the student body, down 

from 75% in 2004. While both female and male students living on campus 

declined, the number of male students living on campus declined at a 

higher rate (-26%) than female students (-10%). This shift in on-campus 

residency rates cannot be attributed to shifts in demographics as the 

average age of a SUNY Cobleskill student has remained approximately 21 

years of age for both men and women (this shift is most likely attributable 

to negative perceptions of the College’s housing stock). 

76% White 

Overall, the campus is fairly balanced relative to gender, with a distribution 

of 52% male and 48% female students. Since fall 2004, the female 

enrollment has increased at a faster rate than the male enrollment. 

3% Returning 

9% Transfer 

2009 

Students by Ethnicity 

Ethnically the campus is primarily white, with about 76% of the headcount 

enrollment considered non-Hispanic white. The College’s efforts to 

increase the diversity of the student population has resulted in a 21% 

increase in the number of black students and a 35% increase in Hispanic 

students, however, black and Hispanic students combined represent 

only 11% to 13% of the population. The ethnic and location of origin 

distribution across the College’s Schools is also notable for its social 

implications. Students of the School of Agriculture & Natural Sciences 

are predominately white and from Upstate counties. Minority students 

are generally in the School of Business & Computer Technology and the 

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences and are generally from more urban 

areas of New York State, particularly New York City. Given the distribution 

of programs across the College’s land area, this creates a sociocultural 

divide between these two groups on either side of Route 7. 

53% Continuing 

34% First-Time 

52% 

Male 

48% 

Female 

Students enrolled through Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) have 

consistently represented about 6% of the student body. The number of 

students with disabilities, which currently represents about 10% of the 

student population, has decreased by -20% from fall 2004. 

Consistent with the College’s strategic emphasis on excellence, the 

average combined SAT score has increased from 959.4 to 10by 7% from 

fall 2004 to fall 2009, a testament to SUNY Cobleskill’s dedication to 

Student Success. 

2009 

Types of Students 

2009 

Students by Gender 

24


November 2011 

STATISTICAL DATA 

E 

SUNY CENTRAL CAMPUS PROJECTIONS 

Projections of AAFTE enrollments by the SUNY Central System for SUNY 

Cobleskill show a growth of approximately 2% from fall 2009 to 2023, 

from an actual 2009 FTE of 2,515 to a projected FTE of 2,566 in 2023. 

3,000 

2,500 

Graphic E3 

SUNY IR AFTE Enrollment 

Projection for SUNY Cobleskill 

Concern is raised as to whether the System’s projection model is sensitive 

to the very strategic programmatic changes underway at Cobleskill. 

For the total Agriculture and Technical College sector in SUNY, overall 

growth of 15% is projected from 2009 to 2023, or 17% to 2025. If 

the System model relies heavily on enrollment markets associated solely 

with associate degree programs and historic Cobleskill markets, then the 

enrollment potential for the College is very likely underestimated. 

Currently the College’s total headcount enrollment projections to 2023 

show undergraduate enrollment of 2,870 and graduate enrollment of 30, 

or a total headcount of 2,900. Compared with 2,687 total headcount 

enrollment in fall 2009 (all undergraduate), the College is projecting 8% 

growth. Assuming that the mix of full-time to part-time students remains 

consistent, this projected growth by the College is not unrealistic, given 

overall projections for the System, the College’s mission transition to a 

baccalaureate institution, the connectedness of SUNY Cobleskill with 

other higher education institutions, and the thrust of new programs. 

2,000 

1,500 

1,000 

500 

0 

30,000 

2007 

2,493 TOTAL 

2008 

2,575 TOTAL 

2009 

2,582 TOTAL 

2013 

PROJECTED 

2,532 TOTAL 

2018 

2,566 TOTAL 

2023 

2,647 TOTAL 

2025 

25,000 

Graphic E4 

AAFTE Enrollment Projection for 

SUNY Colleges of Technology 

per SUNY Central 

20,000 

15,000 

PROJECTED 

10,000 

5,000 

22,737 TOTAL 

23,266 TOTAL 

23,734 TOTAL 

24,352 TOTAL 

25,301 TOTAL 

26,644 TOTAL 

27,156 TOTAL 

0 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2013 

2018 

2023 

2025 

25

ESTATISTICAL DATA 


November 2011 

SUNY Cobleskill’s “Upper Quad” 

26


November 2011 

ACADEMIC GOALS & DIRECTIONS 

F 

F – ACADEMIC GOALS AND DIRECTIONS 

SUNY Cobleskill is comprised academically of three schools: the School 

of Agriculture and Natural Resources; the School of Business; and the 

School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The College offers 31 Associate and 

19 Baccalaureate degrees. 

SUNY Cobleskill prides itself on small class sizes to ensure that students 

receive individual attention from the school’s accomplished professors. 

During the first year at SUNY Cobleskill, all students are enrolled in a 

one-credit course, Foundations for College Success. The course is 

designed to help smooth the transition of new students from high school 

to college life. Through this course, students become familiarized with 

the campus services, develop new study and research skills, and learn to 

make connections between their studies and future career goals. 

Technologies and Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism. Various other 

programs rely heavily on the use of such technology. 

While most of the online courses offered in 2006 were associated 

primarily with Early Childhood Education and Business Administration, 

offerings have expanded to include courses in English, Culinary Arts, 

Communications, Math, Humanities, Economics, Animal Science, among 

others. Many of the courses offered during the summer session are 

available online, and these have proven to be popular with students. 

While the online course offerings are diverse, the number of courses 

offered online during the regular terms is relatively small. Only eight 

were offered in fall 2010, and 14 are scheduled for the spring session. 

The common theme among all of SUNY Cobleskill’s academic programs 

is “Real Life: Real Learning,” or the combination of theoretical knowledge 

with hands-on experience. A number of “real-life” laboratories are 

available on campus: a dairy barn, an equestrian center, greenhouses, 

a heavy equipment laboratory, a fish hatchery, a restaurant, a catering 

kitchen and two production kitchens, a travel center, a child care center 

and a child development center, a television studio, a histotechnology 

laboratory, and network labs. The College will continue to invest in 

strategies to support a high quality, hands-on learning experience. 


Learning 

For the convenience of its nontraditional students, the College also offers 

a Saturday College, a degree program offered exclusively on Saturdays. 

The Saturday College responds to the needs of working adults, while 

upholding the academic quality, values, and expectations of the State 

University of New York. Two eight-week sessions are scheduled each 

semester—a full-time student can earn a bachelor degree in five years 

or an associate’s degree in two and a half years. Tutors are available 

on Saturdays for academic support, and optional weekend housing and 

meals can be provided at an additional cost. 

INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY 

A continuing priority of the College is to have programs and learning 

environments that are engaging and transformational for both students 

and faculty. This emphasis requires attention to both discipline-specific 

learning environments that simulate “real life” as well as technologies that 

encompass “real learning.” In 2006, 30 of SUNY Cobleskill’s classrooms 

and all of its lecture halls were considered ”smart”, and “smart carts” 

were available for use in unwired classrooms or class labs. Two major 

programs require students to have notebook computers—Computer 

27

F 

ACADEMIC 

GOALS & DIRECTIONS 


November 2011 

SUNY Cobleskill Faculty and 

Students 


MARKETING IMAGE: 

FACULTY & STAFF 

FACULTY AND STAFF 

The College’s transition to a baccalaureate institution points to a 

significant change in faculty culture, including expectations for terminal 

degree credentials, faculty workload, and provisions of opportunities for 

scholarship, including release time, sabbaticals, and support for grants. 

Through its planning process, the College has raised its standards for 

faculty hires. According to the new requirements, all incoming faculty 

must have a terminal degree (or commensurate experience) in their field 

or be capable of earning such before becoming eligible for a continuing 

appointment. The College has also modified the requirements for 

promotion and continuing appointment, and the faculty salary scale 

was made market-sensitive. Sabbaticals and faculty release time also 

increased to allow for greater scholarship and the pursuit of grants. One 

significant outcome has been that income from sponsored research and 

grants has increased 126%, from $1.91 million in 2004 to $4.32 million 

in 2009. These changes will enhance the College’s ability to attract larger 

pools of high quality faculty candidates. 

Staff are also considered critical to the College’s strategic emphasis on 

excellence. Of the 288 headcount staff in 2009, only 12 (4%) were part 

time—two other professional, four technical/paraprofessional, and two 

clerical/secretarial. The majority of staff (96%) were full-time. 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT 

The Library, the Center for Academic Support and Excellence, and the 

Writing Center provide environments which support the learning needs 

of students. The Library seats over 550 patrons, containing study and 

conference rooms, a multimedia room, computer stations, and space 

for students to relax and enjoy books and magazines. The collection 

of the Library includes print and non-print materials, with over 77,000 

books and 5,400 educational materials. It subscribes to over 250 

periodicals, and other journals are available through full-text databases. 

The Library’s collection is augmented by a network of sharing with other 

SUNY institutions. 

While the student headcount increased 7% from fall 2004 to 2009, the 

total number of faculty increased 47%. In 2009, approximately 47% 

were part-time, while about 30% were part-time in 2004. 

Table F1 

Faculty Headcount 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Ag. & Natural Resources 37 35 39 51 52 55 

Business & Comp. Tech. 27 30 37 34 36 41 

Liberal Arts & Sciences 71 84 112 115 104 103 

The Center for Academic Support and Excellence (CASE) provides peer 

and professional tutoring services to students who need structured support 

for the academic success. It is open to all students and free of charge. 

CASE also houses the Writing Center, where students receive one-onone 

tutoring for various writing needs. The Disability Support Office, 

also located at CASE, offers programs and workshops on the topic of 

note-taking, textbook reading, and time management for students with 

learning and/or physical disabilities. 

Total 135 149 188 200 192 199 

The impact of the College’s transition can be seen in the changes 

related to faculty rank. The greatest changes have been in the number of 

instructors, matched with a concomitant decrease in assistant professors, 

most likely related to the need for terminal degrees to be in the tenure 

track rank. As new tenure track positions open, growth in these ranks is 

likely to occur, which would be consistent with the College’s vision. 

The College, as planned, has increased the ratio of female to male faculty 

from about 33% female / 67% male in 2004 to 40% female / 60% male 

in 2009. Its efforts to recruit a larger percentage of minority faculty, 

however, has been stymied; only about 7% of the faculty is of a minority 

ethnicity. 

28


November 2011 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 

G 

G – PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 

SUNY Cobleskill is located in the Village of Cobleskill in New York’s 

Schoharie County, a picturesque and historic area approximately 160 

miles northwest of New York City and midway between Albany and 

Oneonta. NYS Route 7 runs through the middle of the campus at the 

western edge of the Village of Cobleskill, directly off of I-88. 

Schoharie County offers a rare combination of rural life and direct access 

to the services and activities of a metropolitan area, New York’s Capital 

Region. Albany is only a 40-minute drive east of the College. The county 

lies in close proximity to such natural splendors as the Adirondack Park, 

the Catskill Mountains, the historic Helderberg Mountains, and the 

Mohawk Valley. State and private parks, streams, lakes, mountain trails 

and ski areas provide an abundance of outdoor activities. 

PHYSICAL CONTEXT 

era, when a vast slurry of limestone coursed through the region. This 

has given rise to areas of irregular limestone known as “Karst,” in which 

caves, fissures, joints, sinkholes, depressions, springs (“resurgences”), and 

sinking streams (“insurgences”) are found, including the nearby tourist 

attraction known as the Howe Caverns. In these areas, water passes 

quickly through solutional passages, but does not purify itself in doing so 

as it would through more consolidated and organic strata. These areas 

are therefore vulnerable to pollution from agricultural and development 

uses of land (cattle pastures, trash dumps, septic tanks, etc). The Town 

of Cobleskill has concluded that the best environmental solution lies in 

preserving farmland, which in turn raises issues of entrepreneurship that 

are central to SUNY Cobleskill’s focus on agribusiness. The Protection 

Plan identifies several key strengths and weaknesses which appear to be 

areas in which SUNY Cobleskill could both assist and benefit the region. 

Cambrian 

Middle Proterozoic 

Ordovician 

Silurian 

Devonian 

Graphic G1 

Bedrock Geology of New York 

State 

The Village of Cobleskill, with approximately 5,300 residents, is a typical 

small college town with convenient access to shopping, dining, houses of 

worship, recreational facilities, and medical services. With a history that 

dates to 1711 (when the first pioneer settlers arrived), the Cobleskill area 

is a treasure trove of historic sites and museums. 

Late Proterozoic 

Cambrian - Late Ordivician 

Middle Proterozoic 

Triassic 

Cretaceous 

The Village of Cobleskill was founded in 1752, while the Town was 

established in 1797. Key historic structures such as the Bulls Head Inn 

(1802), the oldest building in the Village, remain. Over the course of 

the 19th century, the Village evolved from a small village on a stream to 

a prosperous and bustling town with the arrival of the railroad. Historic 

images on postcards illustrate tree-lined streets with an urban, small-town 

presence and a major railroad station as early as 1900. The Village’s 

Main Street continues through the center of the campus (renamed as 

Albany Street). 

Given SUNY Cobleskill’s distinctive focus on land, agriculture, and 

natural resources, and its commitment to environmental issues and to 

partnerships with local and regional interests, it is interesting to note that 

Cobleskill lies in a unique geological area with significant implications for 

farming and the environmental health of its region. According to the Town 

of Cobleskill Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, Cobleskill lies on 

the edge of a large region to the south that is geologically composed of 

Marcellus Shale, a marine sedimentary rock that is a potential source of 

natural gas obtained through the controversial process of “fracking.” 

To the north, extending in a broad arc from the Hudson west to Michigan, 

is an area of unusual geological formations created during the Devonian 

St. Lawrence-Champlain Lowlands 

Adirondack Mountains 

Tug Hill Plateau 

Ontario Lowlands 

Allegheny Plateau 

Catskill Mountains 

Hudson Highlands 

Newark Lowlands 

Atlantic Coastal Plain 

Mohawk Valley 

Taconic 

Mountains 

Hudson Valley 

Manhattan 

Prong 

Graphic G2 

Physiographic Provinces of New 

York State 

29

GPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 


November 2011 

Town and Village of Cobleskill, 

New York 

INTERMEDIATE SCALE INFLUENCES 

Old Shopping Center to the North 

Adjacent to the west campus and the child care center, and located across 

Route 7 is a tired old strip mall shopping center. This complex is fronted 

by a large parking lot that, along with the adjacent College parking lots, 

detracts from the vegetated landscape that surrounds the original hilltop 

quad of the campus as well as the western entry into the Village. 

Adjacent Village Area to the East 

The adjacent Village areas to the east of the campus and south of Route 7 

are a combination of student-oriented multifamily housing, an otherwise 

distressed neighborhood and a large industrial property. The College has 

little connection to this neighborhood which offers few resources for the 

College other than affordable student housing. 

Source: Flickr Photos by Doug 

Kerr, dougtone 

The industrial complex lies in a key position between the athletic fields, 

the housing complex and the historic hilltop quad and effectively cuts off 

the campus from the neighborhood beyond. 

Downtown 

Downtown Cobleskill is a quaint one-block stretch of historic two-level 

storefront buildings approximately a 15-minute walk east of the historic 

hilltop quad. Beyond a few bars, vintage shops, a 1-screen theater and 

Campus Auxiliary Service’s Coby Café, there are few retail businesses in 

Downtown Cobleskill as most major retailers have moved to the east end 

of the Village. 

Physical Boundaries 

Given the College’s significant land holdings, immediate geographical 

boundaries are as much an influence as the Village. The Cobleskill Creek 

is an effective border to the south while the Binghamton-Albany rail line 

skirts the northern edge of the campus and crosses under Route 7 at the 

eastern entry point. There are few opportunities to move farm equipment 

to land north of the rail line, forcing the College to use the Warnerville 

Cutoff Road to service land on the hillsides north of the campus such as 

the “Ski Lodge” area, as well as land used by the College to grow crops. 

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November 2011 


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THE CAMPUS 

Acreage 

SUNY Cobleskill is located on approximately 800 acres of land that 

is owned by a combination of three entities: the State, the College 

Foundation and Campus Auxiliary Services [CAS]. Approximately 450 

acres are owned by the State, and the remaining 350 acres are owned 

by CAS or the College Foundation. Route 7 runs north and south through 

the main campus, dividing it into two distinct sections. The east campus 

is bordered by Route 7 to the north and west, and by the Cobleskill Creek 

to the south and east. The west campus is bordered by Route 7 to the 

east, and by train tracks to the north and by College Foundation lands 

to the west. 

Graphic G3 

Campus Acreage 

Owned by State 

Owned by College Foundation / 

Campus Auxiliary Services 

In addition to College-owned land, the College also heavily relies upon 

both College Foundation-owned land and Campus Auxiliary Services. 

These holdings are both adjacent to the campus and spread across 

Schoharie County. The lands immediate to the campus are generally 

treated as interchangeable with College-owned land, and property 

boundaries have a history of frequently changing to suit to College’s 

institutional needs. Specific lot boundaries between these three entities 

are generally unknown amongst even those who maintain and manage 

the land. There are specific advantages to such an informal arrangement. 

Private development is prohibited by New York State law on both Collegeowned 

and Campus Auxiliary Services land, but is permitted on Foundation 

land. 

Notable non-College land holdings include: 

• 

• 

Equestrian Center – Owned by the College Foundation. 

Immediately adjacent to the main campus, the lot boundary runs 

through the New Dairy Complex. The location of the New Heifer 

Barn appears to also straddle this property line. 

Ski Lodge – In 2011 the campus plans to consolidate many 

of the land holdings by the Ski Lodge under to control of the 

College Foundation to allow for private developer driven student 

housing. 

Additionally the College leases land for crop production, such as Barberie 

Farm and land along Route 10. 

31



November 2011 

Graphic G4 

Campus in 2010 - Terrain 

High Elevation 

Low Elevation 



Terrain 

The physical layout of the campus reflects the growth which has 

occurred from the initial “Upper Quad” on the highest part of campus, 

closest to the Village—first to the south along the east side of Route 7, 

and then across to the lower land on the west. The second high point of 

the campus occurs along the northwest border of the campus, coming 

to a peak at the Dairy Complex and the new Environmental Science and 

Technology Center. The hilly terrain is both an asset and a drawback to 

the campus; while it adds to the natural beauty of the agrarian land, it 

is also impedes pedestrian circulation in some instances and can pose a 

challenge for ADA accessibility. 

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November 2011 


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Entrances 

Arrival at the campus is from either northeast or southwest along NYS Route 

7. From the eastern approach, the campus suffers from poor visibility 

and a layout in which buildings face away from the main road, while 

service roads, surface parking, and fences dominate the view. The east 

side of campus is denser, with quadrangles linked by pedestrian paths; 

the west side is more open and informal, and lacks the infrastructure of 

pedestrian pathways. Both sides of campus have unresolved circulation, 

parking, and service issues. Much of the campus is open lawn, with 

scattered tree and shrub plantings. The most significant issue affecting the 

character and success of the campus is the lack of unity, and successful 

connections, between the east and west sides of campus. There is one 

unsignaled and two signaled crossings, but none appear to be as safe, 

welcoming, and convenient as such key connections should be. The 

siting and design of the new Collegiate Center may play a key role in 

making this successful connection. 

Graphic G5 

Campus in 2010 - Vehicular 

Circulation and Pedestrian 

Conflict 

Vehicular / Pedestrian Conflicts 

Vehicular Entrances 



33



November 2011 

Graphic G6 

Campus in 2010 - Views 

Direction of View 



Views 

Picturesque views of the surrounding mountains are one of the most 

exceptional features of the campus. The best views are available from 

the highest points on the campus; from the Upper Quad on the northeast 

side of the campus, and from the Dairy Complex at the southwest border. 

There is also a viewing point from the southeast side of Knapp Hall 

looking out towards the mountains. The natural beauty of the campus 

and its surroundings has been one of the key selling points for prospective 

students, and it is a priority that these views are preserved as a valuable 

attribute of the campus. 

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November 2011 


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Owned by State 

Owned by College Foundation / 

Campus Auxiliary Services 

CAMPUS ZONES 

The following summaries draw in part from the 2007 Master Plan and in 

part from the current Master Plan team’s observations on campus to date, 

along with information from the campus Facilities Department. 

Academic 

Administration 

Graphic G7 

Campus in 2010 - Zones of Use 

Academic 

Administration 

East Campus (Campus Core) 

The east campus incorporates ten student dormitories, two dining facilities, 

the library, student activities and classroom buildings, and the College’s 

athletic facilities, including a field house, tennis, basketball and handball 

courts, baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, practice fields, and a 

running track. The topography slopes up approximately 70 feet from 

the south to the north side of the campus. Although steep slopes present 

many design challenges, the College has made the most of the site by 

creating four large plateaus with slopes between each plateau. There 

is also a significant grade change of approximately 80 feet between the 

northern section of the east campus and the athletic area to the southeast. 

Zones within the east campus include: 

Community 

Activities 

Library 

Residential 

Athletics 

Farm 

Service 

Community 

Activities 

Library 

Residential 

Athletics 

Farm 

Service 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Campus Academic and Activity Core 

Historic Quad 

Residential 

Recreational 

Parking 

West Campus (Agricultural) 

The area west of Route 7 is considered to be the agricultural side of the 

campus. It contains a variety of facilities including greenhouses, barns, 

stables, and classroom buildings. It also includes the Day Care Center, 

University Police, maintenance and facilities buildings. For the most part, 

the developed portion of the west campus is flat, with a significant slope 

uphill between Schoharie Parkway North and the New Dairy Complex. 

35



November 2011 

Graphic G8 

Campus in 2010 - Areas of 

Change 

Areas of Change 

• 

Equestrian Center 

In terms of new facilities, the College’s equestrian center, opened 

in fall 2005, includes a 34,000 sf indoor arena, breeding and 

training facilities, and room to board over 70 horses. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

New Dairy Complex 

The 200-cow dairy facility boasts cutting-edge herd and waste 

management technology. Slippery flooring issues from the 

building’s original design have ameliorated, though issues such 

as falling screens and metal components can still occasionally be 

a source of “hardware disease” in cows wherein cows develop 

gastro-intestinal issues caused by the ingestion of metal and can 

lead to death. 

Frisbie Hall 

This building, part of the original Upper Quad complex, was 

renovated and reopened in 2010 as a general classroom 

and faculty office building. The renovation added computer 

classrooms, a lecture hall, and ADA access throughout. 

Center for Environmental Science and Technology 

The college has received over $8 million in federal and state 

funding to launch applied research in the conversion of 

agricultural and municipal solid wastes into clean energy. The 

new project will afford many opportunities for undergraduate 

students to observe and participate in this research. 

Center for Agriculture and Natural Sciences 

This new facility will dramatically expand and modernize the 

agricultural and science instruction spaces on campus. It, 

however, does not accommodate agricultural engineering or 

technology programs. A significant portion of structures on the 

West Campus are to be demolished as part of this project. 

Route 7 Traffic Calming 

The College received a grant from the US Department of 

Transportation to study and implement ways to calm traffic on 

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November 2011 


G 

route 7. The selected measures include neck-downs at pedestrian 

crossings and better lighting. Implementation is expected summer 

of 2011. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Heifer Barn 

The College is planning on building a new heifer barn to replace 

the existing one and supplement space for activities that currently 

are only partially accommodated in the New Dairy Complex. 

Construction on this barn should begin in 2011. 

New Housing 

Existing residential buildings are not in the scope of this FMP, but 

planning for future student housing and the possible replacement 

of existing housing stock is an issue to be considered. Currently, 

SUNY Cobleskill is in the early stages of planning for new 

apartment-style housing, but a specific location has not been 

selected. The FMP recommends that the new housing be located 

adjacent to the Lower Quad, between Curtis Mott and the 

CANR. 

New Water Tank(s) 

The existing water tank the services the campus is in need of 

repair/replacement. SUCF and the College are examining 

whether a second water tank should be included in this project. 

This project is expected in late 2011 or 2012. 

Home Economics 

Following the construction and opening of the new Agriculture 

and Natural Sciences Center, Home Economics will be vacant. 

The College intends to renovate the building as part of the 

rehabilitation of the Upper Quad. The FMP will help to determine 

programs and departments to be located in the building. This 

project is expected in 2014 or 2015, subsequent to the opening 

of the new Agriculture and Natural Sciences Center. 

Ryder Hall 

This former 3-story dorm houses faculty offices. The College 

would like to remove this building from its inventory. 

37



November 2011 

Graphic G9 

Campus in 2010 - Plateaus 

Plateau 



Plateaus 

Four plateaus existing within the zone of the “campus core.” The plateau 

of the Upper Quad, at the highest point on the campus, is bounded by 

Frisbie Hall, the Home Economics building, Alumni Hall, and the Old 

Gym. Also known as the Saratoga Quad, it is a formal square bisected 

by a single pathway connecting Frisbie Hall and the Old Gym. With 

its charming historical buildings and its close proximity to instructional 

spaces, the Quad has the potential to become an active campus hub. 

Large boulders in the lawn provide a small amount of informal seating 

for students in the warmer months; however, the area is generally 

underutilized due to inadequate seating and poor connectivity to the 

other buildings on campus. 

A second plateau exists on the southwest side of Van Wagenen library. 

The most expansive plateau exists in the space on the northwest side of 

Bouck Hall, bounded by Wheeler Hall and Prentice Hall on the northeast 

and southwest ends respectively. 

A fourth plateau exists at the southeast entrance to Knapp Hall. 

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November 2011 


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Pedestrian Circulation 

As noted in the landscape master plan by Trowbridge & Wolf, SUNY 

Cobleskill’s campus has a fractured circulation pattern that loosely follows 

the ridge line across the east campus, from Frisbie Hall down to Knapp. 

This circulation does not easily correlate with internal building circulation 

and it negatively impacts the cohesiveness of the campus. As such, the 

many lawns of the east campus are traversed by numerous “desire lines” 

or shortcuts where the grass has been worn out. 

Pedestrian circulation across route 7 is also a concern in that there are 

numerous low volume crossing points between the east and west campus, 

and these points are often not well marked to vehicles. 

Graphic G10 

Campus in 2010 - Pedestrian 

Circulation 

Primary Pedestrian 

Circulation 

Secondary Pedestrian 

Circulation 

Vehicular Circulation 



Land Ownership 

Land used by SUNY Cobleskill falls into four different categories: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

State Owned Land – This is land under the direct property title of 

the State of New York and is administered by SUNY Cobleskill. 

Campus Auxiliary Services Owned Land – This is land owned by 

CAS and it is treated functionally as part of the campus 

SUNY Cobleskill Foundation – This is land owned by the college 

foundation which is functionally treated as college land; land 

owned or leased by the Foundation can be used for public/ 

private partnerships as opposed to State or CAS land 

Private Land – This is land that is privately held and either leased 

by the College or used to grow crops for the College 

39



November 2011 

Graphic G11 

Campus in 2010 - Ag. Land 

Used by SUNY Cobleskill 

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November 2011 


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Graphic G12 

Campus in 2010 - Buildings 

1. 102 - Equine Arena 

1a. 103 - Horse Stalls 

2. 093 - New Dairy Complex 

3. 104 - CEST Bldg 

4. 024a - PM Shop 

4a. 092 - Salt Storage 

5. 025 - Warehouse 

6. 024 - Mackey Service Bldg 

7. 030 - Livestock Housing 

7a. 097 - Commodity Sheds 

8. 049 - Equine Training 

9a. 050 - Horse Barn 

9b. 019 - Stallion Barn 

10. 020 - Old Dairy Barn 

11. 022 - Animal Husbandry 

12. 021 - Fish Hatchery 

13. 023 - Meat Processing 

14. 018 - Hay Storage 

15. 091 - Livestock Housing/Machine 

Storage 

16. 058 - Turf Grass 

17. 017 - Farm/Hort. Machinery 

18. 053 - Greenhouses 

18a. 007 - Chemical Storage 

19. 016/016a - Hodder Hall/ Addition 

20. 061 - Hodder Hall Garage 

21. 015 - Curtis Mott 

22. 039 - University Police 

23. 040 - Kniskern House 

24. 043 - Davis Hall 

25. 044 - Parsons Hall 

26. 045 - Porter Hall 

27. 046 - Ten Eyck Hall 

28. 047 - Fake Hall 

29. 042 - Champlin Hall 

30. 048 - Brickyard Point 

31. 006 - Beard Wellness Center 

32. 035 - Dix Hall 

33. 031 - Pearson Hall 

34. 100 - Child Care Center 

35. 036 - Draper Hall 

36. 037 - Knapp Hall 

37. 032 - Prentice Hall 

38. 033 - Vroman Hall 

39. 014 - Bouck Hall 

39a. 014a - Swimming Pool 

39b. 014b - Bouck Hall Expansion 

40. 012 - Wheeler Hall 

40a. 012a - Wheeler Hall Expansion 

40b. 057 - Chemical Storage 

41. 034 - Wieting Hall 

42. 011 - Van Wagenen Library 

43. 003 - Alumni Hall 

44. 004 - Old Gym 

45. 001 - Frisbie Hall 

46. 002 - Home Economics 

47. 013 - Ryder Hall 

48. 005 - Warner-Holmes 

49. 051 - Fish and Wildlife 

50. 052 - Fish and Wildlife Storage 

51. 059 - Field House 

41



November 2011 

No. 01, Frisbie Hall 

No. 02, Home Economics 

No. 03, Alumni Hall 

No. 04, Old Gymnasium 

SITE AND BUILDING SUMMARIES 

The “Upper Quad” 

Frisbie Hall 

Building No. 01 

Ninety-four-year old Frisbie Hall is one of the oldest structures 

on the campus. It was named for Assembly Speaker Daniel 

Frisbie who was instrumental in the establishment of the 

College in 1911 as the Schoharie State School of Agriculture. 

Portions of the building were renovated in 1978, 1986 and 

1992. The building contains classrooms, faculty offices and 

a large music room on the second floor. The building was 

recently renovated in 2009-2010. 

Home Economics Building 


This ninety-one year old building, located in the Upper 

Quad at the northeast end of the campus, was one of the 

first four buildings constructed here. The Home Economics 

Building currently houses offices of the Bassett Health Care 

Center for Rural E.M.S. Education and the NYS Association 

of FFA. The building also contains a few faculty offices, 

the Fisheries and Wildlife Museum, and classrooms that are 

used primarily by the Fisheries and Wildlife Department. 

Originally constructed to provide instructional space for 

the “home making” curriculum of the early Schoharie 

State School of Agriculture, the building functioned as the 

College’s dining hall before Prentice Hall was constructed in 

1963. Meals were served in the basement. Renovation of 

this building is one of the Campus’s top priorities, and the 

construction of the new Center for Agriculture and Natural 

Resources will facilitate this work. 

Alumni Hall 


Originally called the Dairy Building, this 89-year old structure 

currently contains the Environmental Design Lab, the 

Landscape Development Lab, Electronic Communications 

Department, the Campus Print Shop, Printing and 

Publications Lab, and a classroom. Renovation of this 

building is one of the Campus’s chief priorities. 

Old Gymnasium 


Originally housing the College’s gymnasium, this 81-year 

old building currently contains classrooms, laboratories, 

and faculty offices on the basement and first floor levels. 

The John Grosvenor Gallery, the site of regular campus 

art exhibitions, is located on the second floor along with 

several art classrooms. There is a small mezzanine above 

the second floor that is used by the Art Department. 

Renovation of this building is one of the Campus’s chief 

priorities. 

Other Campus Buildings 

Warner-Holmes Hall 


This building is actually two buildings joined by an enclosed 

bridge at the upper floor of both buildings. Warner Hall 

contains the School of Business office, the Information 

Technology Services Department, Offices of Conferences 

and Training, computer laboratories and classrooms, 

faculty offices and a café. Holmes Hall contains teaching 

facilities for the Early Childhood program, including a 

curricular lab with observation booth, the creative activities 

lab and an equipment lab. The Child Development Center 

is also located in the Holmes Hall. 

The Beard Infirmary 


This building was originally designed as a college infirmary. 

It currently houses the Wellness Center, which incorporates 

Counseling, Health, and Health Education Services. 

Jared Van Wagenen, Jr. Library 


The College Library moved into this three-story building 

in 1973. Designed to accommodate up to 85,000 book 

volumes, the Library currently contains approximately 

68,000 print volumes and ±12,000 bound periodical 

volumes, along with the College’s audio-visual collection. 

The television studio, located on the upper floor, is used 

as a video presentation room/classroom. The Center for 

Academic Support and Excellence and Disability Support 

are located on the lower level. 

No. 05 Warner-Holmes 

Hall 

No. 06 Beard Wellness 

Center 

No. 11 Van Wagenen Lib 

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November 2011 


G 

No. 12, Wheeler Hall 

Wheeler Hall 


This building currently functions as the College’s Liberal Arts 

and Sciences Building. The 43-year old facility contains a 

large lecture hall, science labs, classrooms, computer lab, 

faculty offices, The Academic Skill Center, and the College 

Boiler Plant (located underneath several science labs). A 

23,345 GSF addition is under construction, and will contain 

new state-of-the art laboratories. Select portions of the 

existing building are also being renovated as part of the 

project. 

Ryder Hall 


Originally a residence hall, this building now contains faculty 

offices, an administrative office, and a faculty lounge. 

Curtis Mott Agricultural Engineering Building 


The 42-year old building is home to the Agricultural 

Engineering Technology program and houses the Agriculture 

and Natural Resources Division office. It also contains labs, 

classrooms, faculty offices and a large meeting room. 

Hodder Hall 


This 36-year old building contains labs and classrooms 

that are used for instruction in soil sciences, nursery 

management, plant pathology, and entomology. One lab 

is dedicated to floral design, display and merchandising. 

There is a computer lab, greenhouses for the propagation 

of flowers, shrubs and plants, four faculty offices, and a 

café that used to be a small floral shop. 

No. 15, Curtis Mott 

No. 13, Ryder Hall 

No. 14, Bouck Hall 

No. 14b, Bouck Hall 

Expansion 

Bouck Hall 


Originally designed as the College’s physical education 

and student activities center, the oldest portion of the 

building contains the gymnasium, a 402-seat theater/ 

lecture hall, four bowling lanes, exercise and weight rooms, 

lockers rooms, a student lounge, one classroom (Room 

120), Sandella’s Café, Educational Opportunity Program 

[EOP] offices, faculty offices, the student mail room, and 

meeting rooms. The 2003 addition (No. 14b) contains the 

Bookstore, student government offices, and the Ballroom, 

which is a small gymnasium-type space used for some 

athletic activities, but primarily for large college events 

and meetings. The building is connected to the College’s 

swimming pool by an enclosed bridge. 

Swimming Pool Building 

Building No. 14a 

This facility contains a six-lane swimming/diving pool, 

locker rooms and the Fitness Center. It is reportedly the 

only indoor pool in the County and is used extensively by 

students and the local community. 

Farm Machinery/Horticulture 


The building, originally used for farm machinery storage, 

is currently used as the farm machinery shop and for 

horticulture storage and staging. 

Stallion Barn 


The building was apparently originally constructed to be 

used as a farm machinery shop. It currently houses the 

Farm Manager’s office and is used for classes (in the larger 

space that accommodates large animals) and for storage. 

Old Dairy Barn 


This building was originally used for housing and milking 

the dairy herd. Currently sheep, goats, pigs and rabbits are 

housed in the large barn area. The east end of the building 

appears to be used for faculty offices and storage. 

Fish Hatchery 


The building, currently used as a fish hatchery, contains two 

offices, a Fisheries Lab, and a large room with large fish 

tanks. It is part of the Edward B. Hewes Animal Science 

Complex on the Ag side of the campus. 

No. 16, Hodder Hall 

43



November 2011 

No. 22, Animal 

Husbandry 

No. 23, Meat Processing 

No. 30, Livestock 

Housing 

No. 32, Prentice Hall 

No. 37, Knapp Hall 

Animal Husbandry Classroom 


The building is part of the Edward B. Hewes Animal Science 

Complex on the Ag side of the campus. It contains two 

offices, a lobby area with soft seating, men’s and women’s 

toilet/locker/shower rooms, and a classroom that originally 

was a livestock demonstration room. 

Meat Processing 


The building was designed as a place to teach students 

about meat processing. For a time the College also used 

the facility to process meat for local customers as a way 

to earn income to support programs. However, USDA 

violations prompted the College to stop processing meat 

commercially. 

Mackey Service Building 


The building contains the offices of the Facilities Department, 

the Carpenters Shop, Paint Shop, Plumbing Shop and 

Garage. 

HVAC Shop 

The building currently is used as the HVAC Shop. It is 

adjacent to the Pole Barn. 

Pole Barn 

Building No. 24B 

The building is used for storing miscellaneous items. 

Warehouse 


The building houses shipping and receiving and is used for 

campus storage. 

Livestock Housing 


This building previously housed goats and sheep, but is 

now used for beef cattle. Designed for animal housing, the 

building consists of stalls, open pen area and an office. 

Prentice Hall 


Originally, the College’s dining service was located in 

the basement of the Home Economics Building. In 1963 

Prentice Hall was built as the new College Dining Hall. 

(Champlin Hall, currently the College’s main dining 

facility, was constructed in 1971.) Prentice Hall was partly 

renovated to provide students with a food court environment 

offering value meals and a la carte style dining. Culinary 

Arts, Hospitality and Tourism classrooms and some faculty 

offices are located in the building. The American Heritage 

Restaurant and the Travel and Hospitality Center, both 

operated by Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism students, 

are located on the first level. 

Halsey B. Knapp Hall 


This 38-year old College administration building was 

completely renovated in 2000. It houses offices of the 

President and Vice Presidents, the Alumni Office, the Business 

Office, Human Resources Office and offices of Admissions, 

Institutional Research, Student Affairs, Registrar, the Career 

Development Center, Financial Aid and Residential Life, 

among others. 

Johnson Hall (University Police) 


Originally a small home, Johnson Hall is currently 

headquarters for Campus Security. 

Kniskern House 


Originally a small home, Kniskern House now contains a 

classroom and faculty offices. 

Champlin Hall 


This building is the College’s primary dining facility, offering 

students an “all you can eat” dining concept. The building 

also contains Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism 

laboratories, including two basic food labs, a catering 

lab, a food service lab, general purpose classrooms 

and administrative and faculty offices for Culinary Arts, 

Hospitality and Tourism. 

No. 39, Johnson Hall 

No. 42, Champlin Hall 

No. 50, Horse Barn 

No. 51, Fish and Wildlife 

House 

No. 52, Fish/Wildlife 

Storage 

44


November 2011 


G 

No. 48, Brickyard Point 

No. 58, Turf Grass 

No. 59, Field House 

No. 60, Carriage House 

No. 100, Child Care 

Center 

Brickyard Point 


This facility is used as a student recreation center. The 

upper floor has a lounge that is equipped with a fireplace, 

pool table and a DVD Theater with a large flat screen 

panel. Most of the lower floor serves as a night club and 

social/dance center featuring “DJs” and live entertainment 

where non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are served. The 

building also contains the Student Government Office and 

the headquarters of the Student Medical Response Team. 

Equine Training Center 


The expansive, high-ceilinged interior of the building was 

appropriate for its previous use as an indoor riding arena. 

Since the new riding arena was constructed as part of the 

Equestrian Center up the hill, this building has been used as 

much-needed housing space for horses. 

Horse Barn 


Formerly referred to as Livestock Housing, this building is 

used as a horse barn. 

Fish and Wildlife House 


This small wood structure is currently being used by the 

Fisheries and Wildlife Department for office space and 

storage. 

Central Maintenance Storage 

The building was originally a Department of Transportation 

Garage. It is now used by the Fisheries and Wildlife 

Department as classroom and storage space. The Facilities 

Department also stores equipment in part of the building. 

Maintenance Storage 

The building is used for storage space. 

Volatile Storage Building 

This building, located on the northeast side of Wheeler 

Hall, is an unoccupied space used for storing science lab 

chemicals. 

Turf Grass 


The building was reportedly constructed through the efforts 

of a faculty member. Formerly used for storage, a portion 

of the facility is now used as a classroom 

Field House 


The Field House is located adjacent to the College’s athletic 

courts and fields on the east side of the campus. 

Carriage House 


This 117-year old building appears to have been used as a 

barn at one time. The College uses it for storage 

Walter’s Barn 

The building is used as a heifer barn and for storing farm 

machinery. 

New Dairy Barn Complex 


Completed in 2002, the state-of-the-art dairy facility is 

located on a hill northwest of the Mackey Service Center. 

The complex includes a 200-cow free-stall barn, a hospital 

barn, observation areas, offices, bunker silos, and a 

milking parlor with a computerized system that monitors 

the health, movement and production of each cow. The 

manure handling system flushes the barn into a system that 

separates solids from liquids and recycles both for reuse 

through crop irrigation and composting. 

Child Care Complex 


One of the facility owned by the campus, the Child Care 

Center is located northeast of the Curtis Mott Building, 

adjacent to the large campus commuter parking lot. The 

Center is licensed by the New York State Department of 

Social Services and accredited by the National Academy of 

Early Childhood Programs. The Center is licensed to care 

for 91 children between the ages of two months to twelve 

years. Students in SUNY Cobleskill’s Early Childhood 

Practicum spend 20 hours per week for eight weeks working 

in the Center’s classrooms. 

Center for Environmental Science and Technology 


This newly constructed building has been occupied since 

2010. The facility includes an energy research and 

demonstration laboratory, science research laboratories, 

classrooms, and adaptable training and learning spaces. 

Residential buildings on campus include: 

Pearson Hall (Building No. 31) 

Vroman Hall (Building No. 33) 

Wieting Hall (Building No. 34) 

Dix Hall (Building No. 35) 

Draper Hall (Building No. 36) 

Davis Hall (Building No. 43) 

Parsons Hall (Building No. 44) 

Porter Hall (Building No. 45) 

Ten Eyck Hall (Building No. 46) 

Fake Hall (Building No. 47) 

Other buildings include: 

Hay Storage (Building No. 18) 

Trailers (Building No. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) 

Greenhouse (Building No. 53) 

Arena (Building No. 102) 

Buildings to be Demolished 

A number of buildings are slated to be demolished make way 

for the new Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Plant Science Lab (Greenhouses) 

Hodder Hall 

Hay Storage 

Old Dairy Barn 

Fish Hatchery 

Animal Husbandry 

Meat Processing 

Livestock Housing 

The Carriage House, one of the oldest existing structures on 

the campus, is to be relocated. 

45



November 2011 

Ski Lodge 

46


November 2011 

THE POWER OF SUNYH 

H – THE POWER OF SUNY COBLESKILL 

Many of the new initiatives currently under discussion at SUNY Cobleskill 

echo the objectives of Chancellor Zimpher’s initiative, “The Power of 

SUNY”. A list of “Six Big Ideas,” described as “interdependent areas 

of opportunity and challenge,” are identified in the Strategic Plan: 2010 

& Beyond. Each of the six areas are accompanied by three specific and 

measurable initiatives: 

• 

• 

SUNY and the Entrepreneurial Century 

Strengthen links with New York State agribusiness 

This Big Idea takes advantage of the College’s knowledge-base 

and geographic position, acting as a fulcrum between Upstate 

agriculture and Downstate markets. Critically, the College’s 

commitment to small-scale farming has entrepreneurialism at 

its core, which informs the continued integration of technology, 

business, science and marketing. 

SUNY and the Seamless Education Pipeline 

Focus on student-centered education 

The traditional boundaries between community colleges, 

comprehensive colleges and research institutions in the higher 

education marketplace continue to blur, and SUNY Cobleskill 

has responded by creating numerous articulation agreements 

both up and down the education spectrum, while also investing 

in areas where the College is a regional and national leader. 

• 

• 

• 

SUNY and an Energy-Smart New York 

Showcase environmental sustainability 

The College has an obvious commitment to this Big Idea through 

the recently opened Environmental Science and Technology 

Center. The College will continue to build upon this research 

platform as well as seek ways to integrate the Center with other 

academic programs. 

SUNY and the Vibrant Community 

Develop community partners 

The College has a long-standing commitment to its neighbors 

as one of Schoharie County’s largest employers. By continuing 

to build early childhood and secondary programs, the College 

benefits existing students, recruits future students and provides 

valuable services for the broader community. 

SUNY and the World 

Explore global issues of land & agriculture 

The manner in which the College blends technology, business, 

science and marketing inherently draws in global lessons and 

demands local responses. Through such education, the College 

and its graduates have a more informed perspective, make more 

sustainable decisions and can be better global operators. 

SUNY Cobleskill Students 

• 

SUNY and a Healthier New York 

Nurture local environment, farming, food 

SUNY Cobleskill has its local environment and community as the 

focus of many of its programs. Schoharie County and localities 

like it are where the College sees its graduates locating, and as 

such the College must balance a global perspective with the very 

local realities of day-to-day implementation. This includes smallscale 

farming, an appreciation of local and seasonal food, and 

healthier children and families. 

47

Part 1: Campus Profile - SUNY Cobleskill

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