Jefferson Community College, a two-year college located in Watertown, New York, was chartered in 1961 and was initially accredited in 1969. It is one of the 30 community colleges that make up the State University of New York (SUNY) system. A community college for Jefferson County was first proposed in the late 1950’s when, at the urging of a handful of advocates, the County Board of Supervisors agreed to put the matter to a vote of the people. In November 1959, the referendum to create a two-year college was voted down by a mere eight votes. That provided to be the impetus for a dedicated band of citizens to begin to crusade in earnest for the establishment of this community’s college.