Rockport College

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Rockport College

Established: 1996
Location: Rockport, Maine, U.S.A.
Campus: Rural, 20 acres
Website: http://www.rockportcollege.edu

Rockport College is a small school located in Rockport, Maine. It was founded by David Lyman as an adjunct to The Maine Photographic Workshops.

Contents

[edit] History

Rockport College began in 1980 as a partnership between The Maine Photographic Workshops and University of Maine at Augusta. In 1996, the college was officially founded under its current name and was granted the authority to confer Associates of Arts and Masters of Fine Arts degrees, as well as Professional Certificates in photography, film, video and digital media. In the past the school has faced problems in relation to certification for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts. Reasons cited include the necessity of a full-time nurse and the tripling of their current 20k volume library. A similar situation occurred with the accreditation of the existing two-year and Professional Certificate programs.

[edit] Financial Hardships

Changes in Key Bank's policies regarding unaccredited schools resulted in the withdrawal of their finical aid to students. Due to low enrollment caused by lack of available financial aid, Rockport college was forced to close for their 2006-2007 school year. These events spurred a transition to non-profit status and a change in ownership. The Professional Certificate program continues to run and there are plans to reinstate the two-year program in the fall of 2008.

[edit] Campus

The campus is composed of 2 dark-rooms, a digital services lab, sound stage, post-production facility with integrated technology barn, a library, cafeteria, 5 buildings for student housing, 5 classrooms and, previously, Union Hall which held a gallery, theatre, office space and the school store.[1] The campus is 20 acres and during the school year has less than 70 full-time students/faculty/support staff.

[edit] Housing

  • The Homestead
  • Kate's Cottage
  • Marshall House
  • New Residence, a.k.a. "New Resi"
  • Windjammer Motel

[edit] Environment

Due to the size of the school, students at Rockport College benefit from a very close relationship with the faculty and other students. The faculty works incredibly hard to help students through the difficult tasks that creative pursuits entail. The creative atmosphere at the school is very alluring and many of the alumni end up staying on as employees of the school for a time after graduation.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Union Hall was sold during the change of ownership.

[edit] External links