Governors State University - History

History

Governors State University was officially established as a state supported institution of higher education on July 17, 1969, when Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed into law House Bill 666. The University was to have opened with its first class of students in September, 1973. However, the four year planning period was reduced to two years and GSU received its first class of students in September, 1971. GSU was one of the original "Universities without Walls" as well as a university that did not offer grades, but competencies. In place of departments, it had interdisciplinary studies, and all professors hold the rank of University Professor. GSU is one of the two initial upper-division and graduate universities in Illinois. The other was the University of Illinois at Springfield, founded in 1969 as Sangamon State University.

GSU has developed into a more traditional university, with divisions and departments, professors with rank (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor), and classrooms with smart technology. GSU recently began offering doctoral degrees. The first doctoral program was created in 2007 as a professional doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. GSU has the following colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education, and Health and Human Services. The University as a whole is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the public administration program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).The University is also a member of the Illinois Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs. GSU will enroll its first freshman class in August 2014. GSU's decision to admit freshmen beginning in 2014 is historic and transformative. By designing a state-of-the-art freshman program, GSU will increase its already significant commitment to the Illinois Public Agenda.