CSUS History

We are Four. We are One.

Read the book documenting 25 year history of the Connecticut State University System
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View a slide show celebrating the history of Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western
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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.

In 2011, Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Connecticut General Assembly brought CSUS, the Connecticut Community College system, Charter Oak State College, and the Department of Higher Education together under the policy leadership of a Board of Regents (BOR). The Board of Regents replaced the Board of Governors for Higher Education. The Board of Regents and Board of Trustees will both exist through December 2011 for purposes of effectuating a transition, but all actions of the trustees must be ratified by the regents, according to terms of the reorganization of higher education.

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, including Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, as well as administrative offices in Hartford, function under the policies and oversight provided by the Board of Trustees and Board of Regents.

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.
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