SUNY-ESF rose five spots in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, making it the highest-ranking SUNY school on the list.

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry was ranked ahead of Binghamton, Stony Brook, Buffalo and Albany.

The college was tied for No. 77 on the national university list and No. 32 for top public schools.

“Improvements in our scores for academic reputation and the quality of our freshman class probably made the biggest difference for us this year,” Robert French, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said in an email.

The opening of the new Centennial Hall residence facility last fall was also a significant factor in helping ESF attract a good freshman class, French said.

ESF is different from other schools, as it is one of the only colleges in the nation that completely focuses on environmental and natural resources, French said.

While ESF offers a good education at a very affordable price, its dedication to stick with its vision is what sets it apart, said Joe Mackey, a senior chemistry major. He pointed to the Gateway Building, which will open later this fall and be LEED Platinum certified, as an example.

“ESF is a specific school for people who know what they want to do with their lives,” said Robyn Oakes, an environmental chemistry graduate student.

She said she also attributes a lot of ESF’s success to a shared goal of environmental accountability.

“A lot of people go to college in undergrad without the needed motivation. ESF is different. Everyone here at least has a vague idea of what they want to do,” she said. “Since we all share the same end goal — sustainability — the community on campus helps each other to succeed.”

Jacob Clark, a senior environment biology major, said he disagrees and thinks there is still room for improvement.

“The people who are very passionate about the school are under guidance of someone higher up who took an interest in them,” he said. “If you find an adviser who cares, you’re lucky; they become very hands on.”

But Clark said many transfer students like himself have trouble finding that connection. Students who transfer in are left on their own to navigate course requirements, he said.

He also said he is not convinced that having instructors who are strong biologists rather than strong instructors is beneficial to students.

But French said ESF’s future in the rankings is bright.

“We are in the middle of a fundraising campaign that will bring us additional financial resources, and we will use most of those funds to add faculty, increase scholarships and continue to improve our academic programs and facilities,” he said.

While ESF’s reputation continues to grow stronger with the public and with prospective students every day, French joked that the school’s greatness may be in its name.

Said French: “We have the longest name of any college in the country, so that should be worth something too, right?”

Published on September 24, 2012 at 12:08 am

Contact Tedi: tadoychi@syr.edu