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College at a Glance

Profile

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as fifth in the Best Regional Public Universities North category, Ramapo College of New Jersey is sometimes viewed as a private college. This is, in part, due to its unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its size of approximately 6,000 students and its pastoral setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border.

Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include nursing and social work, and teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels. The College also offers eight graduate programs as well as articulated programs with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New York Chiropractic College, New York University College of Dentistry, SUNY State College of Optometry and New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

Ramapo College offers a Dual Enrollment Program with Seton Hall University’s School of Law for prospective freshmen students wishing to pursue their Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and practice law after finishing their undergraduate coursework.

Undergraduate students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 539 course offerings and 36 academic programs. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and average class size of 23, affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty.

The College’s mission is focused on the four “pillars” of a Ramapo education, international, intercultural, interdisciplinary and experiential (hands on), all of which are incorporated throughout the curricula and extracurricular programs and help students push intellectual, personal and professional boundaries. The international mission is further accomplished through a wide range of study abroad and student exchange links with institutions all over the world. Additional experiential programs include internships, co-op and service learning.

A campus-wide building program during recent years has resulted in the completion of the Anisfield School of Business academic facility; the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center; the Overlook and Laurel residence halls and the Village apartment complex. Construction projects completed in May 2015 include the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence and the renovation of the G-Wing building, with expanded classroom, research and simulation laboratory space, and a 36,000 square foot facility connected by an overhead walkway to the College’s science/social science building. The campus also boasts the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, the Salameno Spiritual Center and the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts.

Ramapo College is listed in the February 2016 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine as among the “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” Ramapo also is recognized in the “Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the Northeast” category of the 2015 Washington Monthly College Guide and Rankings. The 2015 Niche Rankings for Best Dorms in New Jersey gives Ramapo a high ranking for its campus housing.

Ramapo College joins an elite group of institutions with less than five percent of business schools worldwide earning the accreditation distinction of its business degree program by the Board of Directors of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Additional accreditations include: the Social Work Program (Council on Social Work Education), the Chemistry Program (American Chemical Society), the Nursing Program (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), the Teacher Education Program (Teacher Education Accreditation Council), and the Teacher Certification Program, approved by the State of New Jersey.

Dr. Peter P. Mercer became the College’s fourth president on July 1, 2005. The College is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of the State. The chairman of the board is George C. Ruotolo, Jr.

Board of Trustees (2016-2017)
  • Vincent Colman
  • William F. Dator, Vice Chair
  • Gary L. Montroy
  • George C. Ruotolo, Jr., Chair
  • A.J. Sabath ’93, Immediate Past Chair
  • David G. Schlussel, Treasurer
  • Charles H. Shotmeyer
  • Bartholomew J. Talamini
  • Susan A. Vallario, Secretary
  • Sharlene S. Vichness, EOF Liaison
  • Thomas A. Zelante, Esq.
  • Student Trustee Stephen Geerlof
  • Alternate Student Trustee Berly Rivera
Executive Officers
  • Peter Philip Mercer, L.L.B., Ph.D., President
  • Beth E. Barnett, Ed.D., Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Cathleen Davey, M.A., Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Executive Director of the Ramapo College Foundation
  • Kirsten DaSilva, C.P.A., Vice President for Administration and Finance
  • Christopher Romano, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Michael Tripodi, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel
Mission and Vision

Mission

Ramapo College is New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.  The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.

Vision

As the region’s premier public liberal arts college, Ramapo College of New Jersey prepares students to be successful leaders for a changing world through its distinctive commitments to hands-on learning and faculty-student mentoring.

Accreditation / Memberships

Accreditation

The College – Established in 1969 as a state-supported, co-educational, four-year College of liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 1975. Reaccredited in 1981, 1990, 2000 and 2010.

Social Work – The Social Work Program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1977, reaccredited in 1987, 1997 and 2008.

Chemistry – The Chemistry Program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Nursing – The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Teacher Education – Accredited in 2013 by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), the Teacher Certification program is approved by the State of New Jersey.

Business School – In December, 2010, the Anisfield School of Business earned accreditation for its undergraduate business program through AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Memberships

  • The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) founding member, a national alliance of leading liberal arts colleges in the public sector
  • Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
  • The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a participant in the AASCU/ New York Times American Democracy Project.
  • Association of American College and Universities (AACU)
  • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
  • Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
  • Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
  • The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU).
Where to Turn for Specific Information

Main Number – (201) 684 – 0000
Closing Information – (201) 684 – 0000
Public Safety – (201) 684 – 0000

  • Academic Affairs (ACAF) – 7529
  • Administration and Finance – 0000
  • Admissions (ADM) – 7300
  • Advising (Center for Student Success) – 7441
  • Alumni Relations – 7627
  • Anisfield School of Business (ASB) – 0000
  • Annual Giving – 7627
  • Athletics (ATH) – 7674
  • Berrie Center Box Office – 7888, 7844
  • Bookstore (BKS) – 7800, 825-8770
  • Office of Student Accounts (BUS) – 7495
  • Cahill Center for Experiential Learning and Career Services (ELCS) – 7444
  • Center for Health and Counseling Services – Counseling Services – 7522
  • Center for Health and Counseling Services – Health Services – 7536
  • Center for Student Involvement (CSI) – 0000
  • Communications and Public Relations – 0000
  • EMERGENCY SNOW CLOSING – 201-236-2902
  • Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) – 7541
  • Events and Conferences – 7590
  • Financial Aid (FA) – 7549
  • Foundation (FCF/IA) – 7611
  • Graduate Programs – 0000
  • Help Desk – ITS –  6666
  • Institutional Advancement (IA) – 7611
  • International Education (IIE) – 0000
  • Library (LIB) – 7575
  • Marketing and Communications – 0000
  • President’s Office (PRES) – 7607
  • Public Affairs– 0000
  • Public Safety – 7432
  • Registrar (REG) – 7695
  • Residence Life (RL) – 7461
  • Salameno School of Humanities and Global Studies – 0000
  • School of Contemporary Arts – 0000
  • Social Science and Human Services (SSHS) – 7625
  • School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS) – 0000
  • Specialized Services (SS) – 7514
  • Student Affairs (SA) – 7456
  • Student Center – 0000
  • Student Development (SD) – 7593
  • Study Abroad Office (SAO) – 7463
  • Switchboard – 0
  • TEC Trailer – 7103
  • Teacher Education – 7627
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) – 7548
  • York Room – 7901
Special Facilities, Centers and Institutes
  • Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts
  • Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
  • Center for Reading and Writing
  • Center for Learning and Instruction
  • Faculty Resource Center
  • Institute for Environmental Studies
  • Instructional Design Center
  • Roukema Center for International Education
  • Sabrin Center for Free Enterprise
  • Salameno Center for British Studies
  • Sharp Sustainability Education Center
  • The Ramapo Art Galleries
  • The Ramapo News
  • WRPR-FM Radio Station
Campus Map

map

Travel Directions

From the South

Using Route 17

Follow Route 17 North to Mahwah to exit sign “202 Suffern/Morristown” on right. At the end of the short exit ramp turn left (Route 202 South). Continue on Route 202 to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using Garden State Parkway

Leave Parkway at exit 163 (left lane exit). Follow Route 17 North, using instructions above.

Using Route 208

Follow Route 208 North until Route 202 in Oakland. Continue north on 202 until first light in Mahwah. Campus entrance is on right.

Using Route 287

Take Route 287 North to exit 66 (Mahwah); follow Route 17 South to Route 202 exit. At the end of the exit ramp make left turn (202 South). Continue on Route 202 to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using New Jersey Turnpike

Take N.J. Turnpike (I-95 North) to end (exit 18W or 18E). Continue North to Route 80 West to Route 17 North. Follow directions above using Route 17.

Ramapo

From the North

Using Route 17

Follow Route 17 South (approximately 1.5 miles from Suffern exit on N.Y. State Thruway). Turn right at Route 202 exit. At end of exit ramp, turn left (Route 202 South). Continue on Route 202 approximately one mile to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using NY State Thruway

Take N.Y. State Thruway (I-87) South to Route 287 South (New Jersey), exit 15 (Suffern) onto Route 17 South. Follow directions for “From the North Using Route 17.”

From Orange County Using Route 17

Follow directions “From the North” using Route 17 (above).

From Westchester and Rockland Counties

Follow Route 287 West over the Tappan Zee Bridge to Route 17 South. Follow directions above “From the North Using Route 17.’

Ramapo

From the East

Follow Route 80 or Route 4 to Route 17 North. Follow Route 17 North. Follow directions above “From the South Using Route 17 North.”

Ramapo

From the West

Follow Route 80 East to Route 287 North to Mahwah exit 66 (south on Route 17 to 202 South).

Ramapo

From New York City

Take the George Washington Bridge, Route 4 West to Route 17 North to 202 South.

Ramapo

From Connecticut

Follow I-95 to Route 287 West over the Tappan Zee Bridge, continue to exit 15 (Suffern) onto Route 17 South. Follow directions “From the North Using Route 17.”