The City University of New York

“Open the doors to all – let the children of the rich and poor take seats together and know no distinction save that of industry, good conduct, and intellect.” These were the words of Townsend Harris, founder of the Free Academy, renamed the City College of New York, an institution of higher education established by referendum of the people of New York City in 1847. Over the next century the municipal college system expanded concomitant with the increasing demand for higher education, and in 1961 the New York State Legislature established the City University of New York (CUNY) to join together the existing independent municipal colleges.

The university has built on a long-established tradition of educational excellence to become today a multi-campus, coeducational institution of higher learning offering undergraduate and graduate education on all levels up through the doctorate. It is the largest publicly supported urban university in the United States, comprising eleven senior colleges, six community colleges, a graduate school, law school, school of journalism, school of professional studies, school osf biomedical education, and an honors college.

Historically, the CUNY colleges have provided educational opportunities for a remarkably diverse body of qualified students. Many are immigrants or first-generation Americans, and many are among the first in their families to pursue higher education.