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.