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CSUS History

The Connecticut State University System celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 2008, observing the Connecticut's General Assembly's establishment of the university system in 1983, formally bringing together the state's longest serving institutions of higher learning.

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.

Within the Connecticut State University System, the system office, in Hartford, and the four universities, in New Britain (Central Connecticut State University), Willimantic (Eastern Connecticut State University), New Haven (Southern Connecticut State University) and Danbury (Western Connecticut State University) function under the common policies and oversight provided by the Board of Trustees.

• Central

  
  Central CT State University
  CCSU History
  
  

• Eastern

  
  Eastern CT State University
  ECSU History
  
  

• Southern

  
  Southern CT State University
  SCSU History
  
  

• Western

  
  Western CT State University
  WCSU History
  
  

The Connecticut State University System is making a difference for our students and our state, strengthening Connecticut's economy and quality of life, providing affordable, accessible and transformative education opportunities.

A CSUS education leads to baccalaureate, graduate and professional degrees consistent with CSUS's historical missions of teacher education and career advancement, including applied doctoral degree programs in education.