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[tenuretrackonmarket]

Hi, Folks,
I just got an on-campus visit invitation from Alfred University. I know it is in the upper state Newyork and has a small but well known ceramic program, but can anyone give me an idea on how it is like to work in its liberal art/business school? How is life in the area feels like for a young couple from another country? Any suggestion is appreciated.

[busyslinky]

Alfred is located in the Southern Hills of New York's western region. It is very close to the Pennsylvania border.  It definitely has a very rural (isolated) flavor.  If you are looking for cosmopolitan, it is not the place.  If you are looking for woodsy, it is the place.

[tenuretrackonmarket]

Thanks Busyslinsky.
It seems that not many people on this forum know this little distant town.

[francie_]

Yes, many know it, but your question is not posted on one of the more active boards.

We have a friend on the faculty there.  Alfred University is VERY isolated, true, but most of the townsfolk are affiliated with one of the two universities there (SUNY Alfred across the street) and everyone seems very neighborly.  Plus, real estate is very cheap in that area, so buying a home is still worthwhile, even if you aren't planning to stay.

[jruiz]

Sorry to respond to this so late, but I just found out this site existed.  I taught at AU a couple decades ago.  The area is absolutely beautiful, especially when the leaves change color in the fall.  The town of Alfred is essentially a widening in the road; you'll have to drive to Olean or Horseheads to find a mall.  The closest "major" airport is in Rochester, some 80 miles to the north.  As for the school, with an enrollment of ca 1500, and a fairly high tuition/room-board cost, they reallly scramble to keep students.  Hence they tend to coddle them.  When I was there, the major determiner of salary increases was student evaluations.  If you received any negative ones, you had to write an explanation and what you were going to do to improve them.  It was also mandatory that all faculty march in the spring commencement ceremony so, as the Provost used to say, "the parents could see them in their regalia."