What is CUNY?

The City University of New York (CUNY) has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the mid-19th century. The university system was established to provide accessible and affordable education to the residents of New York City, particularly to children of immigrants and first-generation college students.

The origins of CUNY can be traced back to the Free Academy, which was founded in 1847 and later became the City College of New York in 1866. The Free Academy was established by wealthy businessman Townsend Harris, who believed that education should be open to all, regardless of their social status or wealth.

Over the next few decades, several other colleges and schools were established under the umbrella of the CUNY system, including Hunter College (1870), Brooklyn College (1930), and Queens College (1937). These colleges expanded the reach of CUNY and provided education to a wide range of students, including women, African Americans, and other minority groups.

In the 1960s, CUNY underwent a significant transformation with the passage of the Higher Education Act. This legislation provided federal funding for higher education and allowed CUNY to expand its offerings and build new campuses. During this period, the university system grew rapidly, with the establishment of new colleges, such as York College (1966) and Medgar Evers College (1970).

In the 1970s and 1980s, CUNY faced a number of challenges, including budget cuts, rising tuition costs, and declining enrollment. However, the university system persevered and continued to provide access to higher education for working-class and immigrant communities.

Today, CUNY is one of the largest urban university systems in the world, with 25 campuses across the city and more than 270,000 students. The university system remains committed to its founding principles of accessibility and affordability and continues to serve as a model for public higher education in the United States.

City College of New York (CCNY)

City College of New York (CCNY) has a rich and fascinating history that spans over 170 years. Founded in 1847 as the Free Academy of the City of New York, CCNY was the first institution of higher education to offer free tuition in the United States. The Free Academy was created to provide access to higher education to students of all backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay.

The Free Academy quickly gained popularity and grew in size, expanding its curriculum to include a wider range of subjects, such as science, literature, philosophy, and languages. In 1866, the Free Academy was renamed the College of the City of New York and officially became a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system in 1961.

Throughout its history, CCNY has been a trailblazer in education and social justice. During the 1930s, CCNY became known as the “Harvard of the Proletariat” due to its strong commitment to progressive education and its large number of working-class and minority students. The college also played a key role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, with many of its students and faculty members participating in sit-ins, pickets, and other forms of protest to demand equal rights and an end to segregation.

CCNY has also produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields. Some of its most famous graduates include Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Over the years, CCNY has faced many challenges, including financial difficulties and a decline in enrollment. However, the college has always remained committed to its mission of providing high-quality, affordable education to students from all walks of life. Today, CCNY is ranked among the top public colleges in the country and continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for students seeking to pursue their dreams of higher education.