Connecticut State University System - History

History

Central Connecticut is the oldest public institution of higher education in Connecticut. It was established in 1849 as a "normal school," an institution whose sole purpose was to train teachers. The three other CSU institutions also were established as normal schools: Eastern Connecticut in 1889, Southern Connecticut State University in 1893 and Western Connecticut in 1903.

In 1959, the four institutions were renamed "state colleges" to reflect their expanded curricula and missions.

Twenty-four years later, in 1983, the colleges became universities in recognition of their greater mission and strategies. Today, the Connecticut State University System is the largest public university system in Connecticut.

From 1849 to 1965, the four institutions were administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education. On July 30, 1965, the state General Assembly created the Board of Trustees to oversee the colleges and to guide them to more effectively to serve the public.The Connecticut State University System was established in 1983, bringing together the four state universities under a single Board of Trustees.

Public Act 11-48 and Public Act 11-61 enacted in 2011 consolidated governance under the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, which serves as the Board of Trustees when required under statute. The Connecticut University System remains a legal entity under Connecticut law, but the four institutions are considered to be a part of the larger system of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU).