Located in the urban community of Jamaica, Queens, York College has become, as was intended, the key component in a concentrated effort to re-build a deteriorating urban area into a viable cultural, economic, and educational center. This special characteristic, over and above York’s more general mission of providing wide access to higher education for the residents of the City of New york, is a major factor in the College’s plans for the future.
Chartered in November 1966, the College admitted its first students in September 1967. Its inaugural class of 371 freshman students began their work in the College’s first set of temporary facilities, hastily developed instructional spaces and offices on and near the campus of Queensborough Community College, Bayside, Queens, and in an office building some distance removed.
In 1968 it was determined that the permanent campus of the College would be in Jamaica. Significant advantages of this location include its being a center of mass transportation, close to international airports, a link to the Long Island population, and an established commercial center. It also represented a challenging opportunity for the College to provide educational services to an underserved population of New York City. The move to Jamaica took place for most of the College in September 1971. Because of the lack of laboratory facilities in Jamaica, the Natural Science and Health Professions disciplines depending on shuttle bus service, continued in Bayside until February, 1974.
Most of the College’s present facilities are in the vicinity of the 50-acre site designated for the construction of the permanent campus. The Science Building is the one building which is intended to remain as part of the permanent campus of the College.
The design, drawing, and specifications for Phase 1 of the permanent campus have been completed, and the College community is looking forward to the beginning of the construction. Meanwhile, the College continues its efforts to maintain and improve its educational program and services in its existing facilities.
Curricular development has been in the direction of career-related and professional programs within the framework of a strong liberal arts education. Occupational therapy, medical technology, environmental health, bi-lingual and special education,community health and a social work certificate program have all been developed over the last few years. A comprehensive administrative science program is now in preparation.
York’s successful development to date is evidenced in its recent unconditional, ten-year accreditation by the Middle States Association.
