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Vassar College Profile

Poughkeepsie, New York

Vassar College

Founded in 1861, Vassar College is a small private liberal arts and sciences institution located in the historic Upper Hudson River Town of Poughkeepsie New York. The footprint of the site is split into 2 large geographical open spaces, one being the western edge of the college’s footprint with the athletic fields, and upper classman residence villages off Hooker Avenue. The second large area being the main campus facility with the residence quad in the middle, and the academic quads, and student life facilities to the eastern edge of the campus footprint. Vassar Lake and Raymond Ave links both sides of the campus together. The school also has several large grassy, and tree lined areas on all four sides of the campus which highlights it’s suburban campus landscape.

Vassar is unique because it has a small suburban school feel to it, while still being large in regard to physical geography and student activities. The school is located in a relatively large suburban community on the Hudson River with local residents enjoying several transportation links to New York City, which is approximately 90 minutes away by car or train. The college has a large footprint of approximately 1000 acres of park like property within the school’s Hudson Valley Region campus in northern New York State. The physical layout observes historic academic buildings, along with several new campus life facilities shared by students, local residents, and Vassar employees.

The campus itself has approximately 100 buildings including lecture, residential, research, performing arts, athletics, and dining facilities. The overall campus map is typical for a college setting with wide sidewalks, grass field meeting places, and park like benches. The pedestrian flow of traffic within the facility was centered between the academic quads, student housing, and several student life facilities including the Thompson Library, Athletic & Fitness Center, and the College Center due to the time of day.

Vassar’s student center, library, and campus quads are linked together by a maze of side walks that allows for quick access to student housing, academic, and student life buildings. The school is also unique because all of the internal sidewalks are surrounded by tree lined pathways to reduce exposure to the elements. This feature makes some of the pathways look dark, but it also reduces the need to keep shoveling snow of the sidewalks in the winter. The overall design helps a big campus feel smaller than it’s geographical footprint, which really helps in the winter months. The school also has several large green areas behind it’s residence halls that students refer to as “Green Beach’s that gets busy at all hours of the day when school is in session according to my student guide.

The campus buildings and open spaces were very clean and well maintained during my observations. These open spaces allow students the ability to interact with each other in a non-educational manner due to the high number of observed meeting places on campus. Vassar students, faculty, and employees enjoy a community, within a community lifestyle in regard to on, and off campus activities and resources. The college also provides several critical student resources including student housing on campus for all 4 years, which helps students connect with each other throughout the year. The published demographic information for the college describes a culturally diverse student population with students from all across the world. Vassar has developed a large campus community to offer students a Liberal Arts and Sciences educational format to enhance it’s commitment to different types of career endeavors.

The College is home to relatively small campus population of approximately 965 male, and 1,370 female full, and 15,male, and 40 female part time students enrolled. The average age of a freshman is 18 years old. 26% of students are from New York; the other students are from all 50 states, and 51 foreign countries. Students on campus provide a diverse multi-cultural makeup including 72% of students are white, 10% Asian Americans, 5% are Black, and 7% are Hispanic.

Published Academic Standards for Admission Programs

Vassar College has a large educational system for a small private school, which offers Liberal Arts, and Sciences programs. Below is a specific list of under graduate admission requirements.

Freshman Class: 7,361 applied, 1,840 accepted, 644 enrolled. SAT Verbal 710, SAT Math 685. ACT 29-33 Application Deadline January 1.

Student Housing

The purpose of student housing is to provide safe and reasonable accommodations for students living away from home. The issue of housing and dormitory life is a critical element of overall campus life because students spend a large amount of time in their rooms. Student housing units historically come in 3 different styles including traditional corridor, suite, and apartment style units. Vassar College guarantees on campus housing for all four years through a lottery system. Students who have filed their intent to reside on campus by the stated deadline and who have continuously registered as full time students receive housing.

Currently the college has 2,305 students living on campus which is approximately 98% of it’s student population. Vassar College doesn’t refer to it’s housing facilities as dormitories, the school refers to student housing as “Student Houses” with Vassar employees (Professors, Coaches, Administrators) living on the ground level of the buildings with their own families. The college has several different housing facilities including the main housing quads (Davison, Lathrop, Strong, and Raymond Houses). The college also has a Town House Village across the street from the main campus off Hooker Avenue. And finally, Vassar has several upperclassmen housing facilities adjacent to the Athletic facilities called the Terrace Apartments. Information about housing can be found on the quick links page of this document. Off Campus Housing: Vassar has been described as a small private college within commuting distance to New York City. The reason I have mentioned the overall community is to re-assert the point that Vassar’s network of facilities has encapsulated it’s real estate holdings within the area. The campus footprint allows almost every student to have housing within walking distance to college facilities. The issue of off campus housing has a different feel to it compared to other college housing demands. The college itself has 98% of it’s student population living on campus which reduces the need, or demand for off campus housing. Information about available off campus housing resources can be found on the quick links page.

Campus Life

The Vassar College campus environment provides students with an excellent social, and educational atmosphere due to it’s level of commitment to student life and activities. The college has an above average number of student activities for a small school including lacrosse, soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, and tennis to name a few. The college also has a relatively large athletic facility for students to enjoy including an indoor pool, and Walker Fieldhouse. The school’s location within New York State also makes several outdoor activities popular including skiing in the winter, and boating on the Hudson River in the spring and summer. My student guide told me the school provides a campus shuttle to the ski areas during the skiing season, which makes the winter more enjoyable.

Vassar also has several student performing arts, and student multi-purpose centers to listen to local music, comedy, theatre productions, or student poets. The college understands that developing excellent student facilities year round helps students navigate the winter season because the first thing you learn at Vassar during freshman orientation is to love the State of New York. New students participate in several team leadership activities during their first weeks at the school including hiking, and canoeing activities to help them embrace the outdoor culture. Students that aren’t inclined to enjoy the great outdoors usually participate in several community workshops within the City of Poughkeepsie.

The local area of Poughkeepsie can be considered a popular suburban community because it’s located between one the state’s largest city (New York City) about 90 minutes away, and the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains about 45 minutes away. The city can also be considered a student friendly transportation resource because Metro North Rail System, and Amtrak links to Poughkeepsie on a regular schedule. These rail systems link to NYC, and the entire east coast through New York’s Grand Central Station. Stewart International Airport also makes travel easier in this area of the state with several national airline carriers located within 40 minutes from the college. The Town of Poughkeepsie can also be considered a small college town with several retail and restaurant resources within 10 minutes of the college on Collegeview, and Hooker Avenues. These local facilities have improved campus life for students because they are close to the school, and they can be accessed by a short walking, and driving distance.

Vassar College students enjoy a local transportation resource called the Poughkeepsie Shuttle that links to the Town of Poughkeepsie on an hourly basis for additional campus life/entertainment resources. The Vassar neighbor shuttle bus is vital to students who don’t have cars, or don’t want to shovel out their cars to go to town. The shuttle also makes trips to several shopping, retail, and entertainment resources including movie theatres in the area. The emotional climate of the entire community is also positive because students are involved with outdoor activities including hiking in the fall, skiing in the winter, and water sports in the spring.

Students are also actively involved in local community, and performing arts groups during the entire year. An observation of this very positive emotional climate can be found by looking at the endless student flyers posted throughout the campus on walls, doors, and the College Center. These flyers describe upcoming activities and they invite all students to enjoy the clubs, athletics, performing arts, and public discussions on world events. Students went as far as hanging banners outside residence halls to invite students to attend social events on campus, which was very nice to see.

Vassar also addresses the issue of ecology in a positive way. The physical campus environment borders several park like areas within the Town of Poughkeepsie with trees and bushes that are situated overlooking the campus which gives students a great way to get away to enjoy New York State’s natural environment. College students at Vassar also have the luxury of enjoying several student art pieces within the Loeb Art Center, studio pieces within Doubleday Studio, and student films within Rosenwald Film Theatre. Finally, the college has a state of the art music & performing arts facility (the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film) for students to perform, and enjoy throughout the year.

This issue of school culture and emotional attachment is also a very important part of campus life because everyone wants to have a connection and emotional fit to their new school and community. Vassar has done a great job developing positive social systems with it’s students by providing a series of coordinated programs including workshops, outdoors leadership activities, and seminars for freshman students. This type of process provides a foundation for learning and personal growth providing over 100 academic clubs, student organizations, and over 36 intramural sports activities. Vassar also has 25 NCAA teams for men, and for women including soccer, lacrosse, swimming, golf, and basketball. The school also has several reasonably large athletic facilities including a new athletic complex for students to enjoy.

Student life on campus at Vassar can be considered very active due to several notable on campus venues including the Athletic Center, the Prentiss Field Complex, and the outdoor tennis courts, which are the main student recreational, and athletic centers on campus. The school also has a student run performing arts venues within the Vogelstein Performing Arts Center, the outdoor amphitheatre, and music within Martel Theatre. The College Center can also be considered a popular destinations for nightly, and weekend entertainment activities, along with the campus coffee house. These on campus facilities allows students to enjoy more than academic excellence, it gives them the opportunity to develop social relationships by experiencing school sports, performing arts, history, cultural events, restaurants, and local museums together. The Local Town of Poughkeepsie also allows for additional campus life activities within a 10-minute walk of the campus gates.

Public Transportation

Vassar College students use the Poughkeepsie Shuttle for reliable bus transportation for students who don’t, or can’t have vehicles on campus. The Town of Poughkeepsie also has several reliable taxi companies that provide additional transit resources to Stewart Airport, Metro North Regional Trains, and service to New York City via Amtrak within downtown Poughkeepsie. The college has a large number of out of state students who don’t know the streets and highways very well. Knowing the area is key because students who come from local states may know the area better and may be able to walk or drive to local destinations. Foreign, and out of state students might opt to take a bus or train to their destination because they don’t want to risk getting lost on local roads. In formation about this service can be found on the quick links page of this document.

Regional Public Transportation Resources

Student transportation to the Town of Poughkeepsie New York can be found within the office of student services. Students can sign-up for paid transportation links (Car & Bus Services) to the airport, ski resorts, and regional train service for Amtrak. The State of New York also has several highway networks that links students to several northeast states including Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York City within Interstate Routes 87, 84, & 86. Local highway networks that connect Poughkeepsie to local towns and cities include State Highway # 9, 9W, 44 and 55. These major highway systems connect the entire northeast from Canada, to New York City. Major hotel & restaurants, as well as retail shopping centers can be found along these highways.

Local weather

Weather is also an issue to consider for students preparing for a college experience. The town of Poughkeepsie enjoys all four seasons of weather including rain and snow. Northeast weather patterns sometimes allow for temperatures to drop below 32 degrees for a considerable amount of time during the winter. Northern New York also receives a large amount of snow due to it’s geographical relationship with the Canadian border. The state also gets it’s share of rain during the spring and summer months as well.

Community Profile

The City of Poughkeepsie has been described as an active suburban community that has grown around it’s historic Hudson Valley landscape and it’s local tourist locations including FDR’s home in nearby Hyde Park. Vassar College and the community have grown together over the years with students, tourists, and local residents enjoying the Hudson Valley college town landscape. The area has also been described as a family centered suburban community within striking distance to New York City and the Catskill Mountains. The town also has an intellectual side due to its historical neighborhood architecture and close physical relationship to Vassar, and Marist Colleges. Poughkeepsie has become favorable to students over the years because the area has gone through a re-investment stage with the old buildings being converted into new restaurant and retail spaces. The local area has also become popular with students, and local residents because it offers parking and pedestrian walkways on Main, and Collegeview Avenues, which links students, and local residents to a several restaurants and local shops within the southeast edge of town.

The walk from Vassar College to the above-mentioned meeting places is approximately 5 minutes. The city itself is located within the northeastern area of the state, which makes it convenient to several suburban communities and local highway networks. The community culture of Poughkeepsie is also very interesting because the town hasn’t lost it’s commuter town reputation. This culture is clearly expressed within several areas of downtown with restaurants and retail establishments located within walking/parking distance to the Metro North Train Station. The outlining areas of the city provide residents several large farming resources for fresh vegetables and dairy products. The area also provides visitors with several outdoor activities throughout the year including skiing in the winter, and sailing on the Hudson River in the spring and summer.

The following demographics for the City of Poughkeepsie describe a multi-cultural community within a total population of 30,050 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Vassar College has strong relationships with the town because they share community services including public safety, and cultural resources. An example of this commitment can be observed through the college’s community services handbook that describes educational programs, health care programs and services to local residents who may require community help.

A Census Bureau community survey highlights several characteristics to describe the population including: 48% residents are male, 52% are female. 53% of residents are white, 36% is African American, 8% is Hispanic or Latino, and 2% is Asian. The median age of population is 32 years old. 74% of residents are 18 years old or over, 69% age 21 and over, and finally 13% of town residents is over the age of 65. The issue of housing in Poughkeepsie is also interesting. 91% of all housing units within the city are occupied. 63% of housing units are renter-occupied, while 37% of units are owner-occupied. 9% of total available housing was vacant.

Vassar College Quick Links

Poughkeepsie Area Hotel Quick Links

Vassar College Alumnae House
161 College Avenue
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603
Courtyard by Marriott
2641 South Road (Route # 9)
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601
Holiday Inn Express
2750 South Road (Route #9)
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601
Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
40 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601
Hampton Inn Poughkeepsie
2361 South Road (Route # 9)
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601

Newburgh/ Stewart Airport area Hotels approximately 40 minutes from Vassar

Hilton Garden Inn
15 Crossroads Court
Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
Courtyard by Marriott
4 Governor Drive
Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Breuning Road, (Inside of Stewart Airport)
Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
Comfort Inn
5 Lakeside Road
Newburgh, N.Y. 12550

Below is a sample list of local restaurants in Poughkeepsie N.Y. National restaurant chains & shopping resources can be found off Interstate 87 & 84 in Poughkeepsie & Newburgh New York. Additional resources can be found in Hyde Park, and New Windsor New York on State Highway # 9 & 9W.

Poughkeepsie Restaurants

Additional student friendly restaurants around the Vassar College campus can be found at www.campusfood.com/campus.asp?campusid=162

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