The History of the Connecticut State University System

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 CSU Board of Trustees to oversee the colleges and guide them in effectively serving the public.

Central Connecticut is the oldest public institution of higher education in Connecticut. It was established in 1849 as a 'normal school' with its sole purpose being to train teachers.  The three other CSUS institutions were also established as normal schools: Eastern Connecticut in 1889, Southern Connecticut 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, the colleges became universities in recognition of their even greater missions and strategies.

Today, CSUS is the largest public university system in Connecticut.