City College of New York

The City College of the
City University of New York
Other names
City College of New York
City College
Former names
Free Academy of the City of New York (1847–1866)
College of the City of New York (1866–1929)
City College of New York (1929–1961)
Motto
Respice, Adspice, Prospice (Latin)
Motto in English
"Look behind, look here, look ahead"
TypePublic research university
Established1847 (1847)
FounderTownsend Harris
Parent institution
City University of New York
AccreditationMSCHE
Academic affiliations
Endowment$290 million (2019)
PresidentVincent G. Boudreau
ProvostTony Liss
Academic staff
581 (full-time)
914 (part-time)
Administrative staff
401
Students14,489 (Fall 2022)
Undergraduates13,113
Postgraduates3,048
Location, ,
United States

40°49′10″N 73°57′00″W / 40.8194°N 73.9500°W / 40.8194; -73.9500
CampusLarge City, 35 acres (0.14 km2)
Newspaper
ColorsLavender/purple, gray, and white
     
NicknameBeavers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIICUNYAC
MascotBenny the Beaver
Websiteccny.cuny.edu

The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a public research university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York City. Founded in 1847, City College was the first free public institution of higher education in the United States. It is the oldest of CUNY's 25 institutions of higher learning and is considered its flagship institution.

The main campus is located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. City College's 35-acre (14 ha) campus spans Convent Avenue from 130th to 141st Streets. It was initially designed by an architect George B. Post. City College's satellite campus, City College Downtown in the Cunard Building has been in operation since 1981, offering degree programs for working adults.

Other primacies at City College that helped shape the culture of American higher education include the first student government in the nation (Academic Senate, 1867); the first national fraternity to accept members without regard to religion, race, color or creed (Delta Sigma Phi, 1899); the first degree-granting evening program (School of Education, 1907); and, with the objective of racially integrating the college dormitories, "the first general strike at a municipal institution of higher learning" led by students (1949). The college has a 48% graduation rate within six years. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."