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Fast Facts 2011-2012

PROFILE

Private, independent, coeducational four-year college offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

PRESIDENT

Richard B. Flynn, Ed.D.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide as the Birthplace of Basketball® and for the guiding principles of its humanics philosophy—educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. With its foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage, Springfield College prepares students with real-world leadership skills for careers that transform lives and communities. The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, and counseling psychology. The college is ranked in the 2012 edition of “Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Regional Universities -- North Region” by U.S.News Media Group, and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 5,000 traditional, nontraditional and international students study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its School of Human Services campuses across the country.

THE COLLEGE’S MISSION

The mission of Springfield College is to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity.

WHAT IS HUMANICS?

The Springfield College mission starts with Humanics, the age-old Greek ideal of the balanced individual. The ancient Greeks believed that a person’s emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical lives were all interconnected. The Humanics philosophy calls for the education of the whole person.

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE POINTS OF PRIDE

  • Celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2010.
  • Known worldwide as The Birthplace of Basketball ®, a game invented at the College by Professor James Naismith.
  • Ranked in the 2012 edition of “Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Regional Universities -- North Region” U.S.News Media Group.
  • A number of new and renovated facilities support a vibrant and collaborative learning and living environment.
  • Named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary community service programs—the highest federal recognition a college can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement two years in a row.
  • Selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of 119 U.S. institutions of higher learning to receive its Community Engagement Classification, for exemplary community involvement.
  • Recognized as a premier institution of higher education for YMCA leaders by the YMCA of the USA; signed a five-year renewed partnership agreement on June 19, 2009.
  • Opened a new Center for Wellness Education and Research to conduct groundbreaking research, serve as a national source of the latest wellness information, and design and present public wellness education programs.
  • Springfield College graduate Erin Pac '03 received a bronze medal in bobsledding at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. She joins many other Springfield College alums who have participated in the Olympics as athletes, coaches, sports psychologists, athletic trainers, administrators, judges, officials, and volunteers.
  • Recipient of the Jostens/NADIIIAA (NCAA) Community Service Award of Merit for student-athlete participation in community projects.
  • Named to the “Saviors of Our Cities” list of the 25 “best neighbor urban colleges in the nation,” as a college that has dramatically strengthened the economy and quality of life in its community by careful strategic planning and thoughtful use of resources.
  • Recipient of multiple Super 60 Awards of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc., recognizing the College’s significant contributions to the strength of the regional economy.
  • Presented with a proclamation from Springfield City Council for “making the City of Springfield a better place to live” and helping to “improve the neighborhood to make it a better place to live, work, and learn.”
  • Named one of the “15 Most Influential Sports Education ‘Teams’ in America,” by The Institute for International Sport for its “international reputation for developing coaches, athletic trainers, physical education instructors, team managers, sports psychologists, and athletes who make a positive impact on millions of people in the world through sport.”
  • Completed the largest fundraising campaign in the College’s history, closing at a record $44.5 million, exceeding its goal by more than 11 percent.
  • Received the 2009 Outstanding Sports Facilities Award by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association for its Wellness & Recreation Complex.
  • The Richard B. Flynn Campus Union was cited for design excellence in the 2010 Architectural Portfolio of American School & University magazine.
  • Students annually provide more than 150,000 hours of community service work in neighboring communities and organizations.
  • Many faculty are recognized nationally and internationally as experts in their area of study; More than 80 percent of all faculty have earned terminal degrees in their fields.
  • Selected by more than 3/4 of our first-year students as their first-choice college—a figure that is well above the national average for peer institutions.
  • Above-national-average figures in student retention (85 percent of all first-year students on the main campus return) and degree completion (about two-thirds of all first-year students complete their degree requirements within five years).
  • More than 42,000 alumni currently work within their own communities throughout the United States and across the globe as leaders in their fields.

CAMPUS

In addition to classroom buildings and laboratories, the 100-acre main campus has 10 residence halls, new recreational and fitness facilities, a recently renovated main dining facility, newly renovated science and academic facilities, a renovated performing arts center, and the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union, which opened in January 2010, and is complete with a food court, activity and lounge space, the College bookstore, and more. Most recently, the 116-year-old Judd Gymnasia, the College’s oldest building, underwent a major renovation to serve new purposes critical to the College’s mission. Judd Gymnasia is home to the Springfield College Museum, as well as the College’s new Stitzer YMCA Center, which includes the YMCA Hall of Fame, the Association of YMCA Professionals, and more. The building received a 2011 Paul E. Tsongas Award from Preservation Massachusetts, which recognizes Massachusetts colleges, universities, and preparatory schools that have utilized and embraced preservation in their educational identity for the benefit of future generations of students.

PrideCams
View live video from Springfield College PrideCams.

East Campus
East Campus encompasses 52 acres of forest ecosystem located about one mile from the main campus. It provides rustic facilities for conferences and meetings, and space for outdoor research and recreation. East Campus is also home to the Springfield College Child Development Center (CDC), which provides quality early education services for children of members of the faculty and staff, students, and families in the community. The CDC is linked to a number of academic programs and serves as a laboratory for Springfield College students with an interest in early childhood education.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology plays a key role in educating students. The campus is completely wired and there are a number of wireless zones in popular student locations, including all residence halls and the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union. In addition, the College maintains computer labs at several locations throughout the campus: Babson Library, Brennan Center (School of Social Work), Schoo-Bemis Science Center, and Weiser Hall. Smart labs are located in the Allied Health Sciences Center, Babson Library, Herbert P. Blake Hall, Brennan Center, Fuller Arts Center, Hickory Hall, Judd Gymnasium, Locklin Hall, the Physical Education Complex, and the Wellness and Recreation Complex. The Alden Center for Interactive Learning includes a "smart" classroom with interactive computer workstations and a board-style meeting room equipped for live video conferencing.

ACADEMICS

The academic experience encompasses coursework, research, laboratory experience, and targeted fieldwork, enhanced by co-curricular and voluntary service activities on campus and in the community. Academic and co-curricular programs are integrated and include traditional coursework enhanced by applied internships, fieldwork experiences, and experiential learning activities.

Fields of study include a full range of disciplines in the arts and sciences, health sciences and rehabilitation studies, education, business administration, human services, social work, and physical education, sport, and movement studies.

More than 80 percent of full-time faculty have earned the highest degrees attainable in their areas of expertise. Seventy percent hold doctorates.

Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1

SCHOOLS

There are five schools at Springfield College:

The School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies offers a broad and engaging curriculum, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology/chemistry, psychology, management and economics, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and the visual and performing arts.

The School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies provides an academic and clinical foundation for careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, rehabilitation and disability, emergency medical services management, and physician assistant.

The School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation focuses on the study of physical and health education, including applied exercise science, physical education, outdoor leadership, recreation management, and sport management.

The School of Human Services offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs designed to build the leadership skills of human service professionals while they are serving in their communities, through weekend class schedules. Campuses are located nationwide at Springfield and Boston, Mass.; Manchester, N.H.; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Wilmington, Del.; Charleston, S.C.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; and Houston, Texas.

The School of Social Work prepares social work professionals through the advanced generalist practice approach. Master's, post-master's certificates, and a joint master's/juris doctorate degree program are offered.

ATHLETICS

Springfield College’s competitive Division III athletic program includes 26 varsity sports for men and women. The College is consistently ranked in the top 10 percent of Division III; many teams have competed in NCAA tournaments, been nationally and regionally ranked, and achieved conference champion recognition. A majority of coaches are also members of the faculty, which creates an enriched experience for their players and enables them to interact with the community as a whole. In addition, a large number of the College’s student-athletes and coaches are national statistical leaders.
  • School colors: Maroon and White
  • School nickname: Pride
  • Symbol: Majestic Lion
  • Mascot: Spirit

STUDENT BODY

Students enrolled in Springfield College’s undergraduate traditional programs (including those majors within Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies; Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies; and Health, Physical Education and Recreation) are typically traditional in age (18-21 year-olds); come from across the country and include international students, but hail primarily from the Northeast corridor of the USA; include a fairly even mix of males (53 percent) and females (47 percent); are comprised of approximately 72 percent White/non-Hispanic students, 8 percent under-represented populations, with the remaining 20 percent undesignated/unknown; and reside predominantly in the residence halls and college-owned properties. Students enrolled in the School of Social Work and School of Human Services are more typically working adults, three-fourths of whom are from under-represented populations.  

Student Success (Retention / Graduation)
Springfield College boasts above national average rates of student retention (85 percent of all first year students on the main campus return) and degree completion (about two-thirds of all first year students complete their degree requirements within five years).

Athletics Participation
Approximately 36 percent of males and 28 percent of females enrolled in the traditional undergraduate programs on the Springfield College campus participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Volunteerism/Service
Springfield College students are actively engaged in volunteerism and service to the community. They contribute over 150,000 hours annually, benefitting youth, families, and older citizens through their generosity of spirit and commitment to serving others.

Quick Statistics

Enrollment (Undergraduate and graduate full- and part-time, Academic Year 2010-11)

Traditional programs on the main campus include: Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies; Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; and Social Work (enrollment count does not include the School of Human Services).

Undergraduate: 2,328
Graduate: 1,079
Sub-total: 3,407

School of Human Services (11 sites nationally)

Undergraduate – 1,375
Graduate - 585
Sub-total – 1,960

Grand Total, Enrollment: 5,367

Top Undergraduate Majors on the Main Campus, in Rank Order by Enrollment (School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies; School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies; School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Fall 2010):
  • Movement and Sport Studies
  • Applied Exercise Science
  • Sport Management
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Physician Assistant
  • Business Management
  • Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
  • Athletic Training
  • Sports Biology
Percent of Students in Teacher Preparation: 15.3 percent
(School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies, and School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation)

Residence Information (main campus, traditional programs; Academic Year 2010-11):
Full-time undergraduate students living on campus: 2,018
Full-time graduate students living on campus: 136

Fall 2010 Incoming Class (School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation):
New first-year students: 611
Transfer students: 74

Degrees Awarded (Aug. ’09-May ’10):
Undergraduate: 1,004
Graduate: 624
Total: 1,628

Total Employees (Fall 2010):
Full-time Faculty - 213 (More than 80 percent with doctorate or terminal degree)
Full-time Staff - 468
Total Full-time – 681

Degreed Alumni Total (as of Fall 2010)
Undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree: 35,434
Graduate degree: 13,350
Total: 48,784

2010-2011 Tuition and Fees
Undergraduate tuition/fees, full-time (per year) - $28,585
Undergraduate room and board (per year) - $9,915
Graduate tuition (per credit hour) - $825

 Room & Board costs may vary depending on residence hall, meal plan, and room occupancy.

Endowment
(as of December 31, 2010)
$44,743,300

Operating Budget
(fy 2010-2011)

$136,899,922
Springfield College 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797 413.748.3000 | Employment at SC
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