Higher Education in Queens
York College Soars With Aviation Program
BY DIANA SANDERS

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Yet another City University of New York (CUNY) school, York College, opened in 1967 has been educating mostly local Queens residents ever since. The fifth Queens school of higher education of discussion, York College, originally named Alpha College transported its educational services throughout Queens, relocating and finally finding its permanent location in Jamaica in 1986.

York College was established as the CUNY system's fifth senior college. It therefore is a four-year institution offering a bachelor program as opposed to Queens borough Community college or LaGuardia that offer only two year, associate degree programs. Programs of study within the institution have greatly broadened throughout its years. Its over 40 majors in the bachelor's of science or arts program expand farther than liberal arts, which is the focal point for the school. In fact, throughout all eleven of CUNY's senior colleges, York is the only that offers majors in biotechnology, information systems management, gerontology as well as a graduate program in occupational therapy.

Perhaps the most known by York College is its own Aviation Institute. Opened in 2002 with the help of the Port Authority, the Aviation Institute is the first in the CUNY system with strict focus on aviation and is also the first post-9-11 higher education level training facility offered.

Within its 50-acre campus, York also holds pride in its over 170,000-volume library as well as its Performing Arts Center. The center, opened in 1990 contains two theaters, the large holding 1500 seats whose state-of-the-art facilities can serve all of Queens. The MicroComputer Center and computer graphics lab are also major parts of the senior college taken pride of. The physical education complex further spreads the college ambiance with athletic fields, a gymnasium and fitness center.

The York College Basketball team in fact defeated Baruch to win the CUNYAC men's basketball championship this year, the second in the school's history.

Overall, this commuter college brings academics, enrichment and a college experience to the culturally diverse area of Queens. Admission into York College falls under the same rules as all other CUNY colleges, as does tuition. Rates for undergraduate study range approximately in the $4,000 yearly mark, however financial aid is granted to most.

The college experience for a student in Queens is not only rewarding but also filled with many choices. Students seeking higher education whether after high school or later in life need not travel across the country in search of a qualified institution. Rather, they are given a handful fit for almost any area of professional interest all in close vicinity.