Summary
Central Connecticut State University is a regional, comprehensive public university in New Britain, Connecticut. Founded in 1849 as New Britain Normal School, CCSU is currently a four-year degree granting institution and University. It also offers Master's degrees and Doctoral degrees. Its borders now stretch to the western edge of Newington where State Routes 9 and 175 intersect.
CCSU is made up of five schools: the Ammon School of Arts & Science, the School of Business, the School of Education & Professional Studies, the School of Engineering & Technology, and the School of Graduate Studies.
Attended by over 11,000 students, 9,200 are undergraduates, and 2,000 are graduate students. In the Connecticut State University system, CCSU is the most selective.[4] [5] It is part of the ConnSCU system of colleges and universities in Connecticut, which also oversees Eastern, Western, and Southern Connecticut State University. Together the four universities have a student body of over 34,000.[6]
History
In 1849 CCSU was founded as New Britain Normal School to train teachers (the 6th Normal School in US) and is the oldest public university in Connecticut.[7] [8] It ran until 1867 when the school was temporarily closed due to opposition in the Connecticut General Assembly.[9] Two years later, the Normal School resumed its services and continued to do so until the 1930s. During this time the Connecticut General Assembly created the Teachers College of Connecticut and the first bachelor's degrees were granted.[10] In 1922, the campus moved to its current location on Stanley Street.
In 1983 the school transitioned from a College to a regional University, the first time at which it operated under its current name, Central Connecticut State University. Organizational leadership changed in 2011 when the Connecticut Department of Higher Education was dissolved and replaced by the Office of Higher Education and the Board of Regents.
Academics
CCSU offers more than 100 majors in more about 80 fields, including the liberal arts and sciences, teacher preparation, counseling, business, and engineering. The University has established international educational partnerships with many universities and colleges around the world. There are over 400 full-time faculty members, 75% of whom possess the terminal degree in their field. Another 400 part-time instructors also teach at the University. [11]
Graduate programs are offered in all of the academic schools. These include Master’s level programs in accountancy, education, literature, engineering technology, and information technology. A number of Doctoral degrees are also offered.
CCSU has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 and 43 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students. [12] [13] The most popular Bachelor's programs by student enrollment are Business and Marketing, the Social Sciences, Education, and Engineering. Bachelor’s programs are also offered in a variety of other fields such as biology, computer science, literature, political science, and theater, among others.[14] [15]
Academic and Office Halls
Map of campus facilities: CCSU Website Map
Student and Administrative Facilities
CCSU provides students with facilities to study, relax, and eat in the Student Center, as well as the large common area in the first floor of the Elihu Burritt Library. Computer labs are available throughout campus, with the largest computer lab located in Marcus White Hall.
Administrative services are located in Davidson Hall. Other facilities are the Copernican Observatory, located in Copernicus Hall, Welte Hall, which services as the main auditorium, and Kaiser Hall, which houses the main gym and Olympic size pool.
In 2011 the first floor of the Elihu Burritt Library was completely renovated to create a new common area, with new seating, couches, and computers. In 2012 and 2013 building projects included a $37 million Academic Building (currently named the Social Sciences Hall), a 4,300 square foot Engineering Laboratory, and a new Police Station slated to open at the end of 2013.
Arute Field and its adjacent practice and baseball fields also underwent extensive construction and renovation from 2010 through the present, including new football, soccer, track, and practice field turf. New football and soccer stadium seating was added, as well as construction on the Balf–Savin baseball field.
Athletics
The university's athletic teams are known as the Blue Devils. Central Connecticut State participates in NCAA at the Division I (Football Championship Subdivision football) level as a member of the Northeast Conference. The university fields 18 varsity sports, eight men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, as well as indoor and outdoor track & field; and ten women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball. [16]
Current and Former Administrators
The present University President is Jack W. Miller. He was preceded by the following Principals and Presidents as the school evolved from a Normal School in 1849 to a University in present day.
Guest Speakers & Honorees
CCSU's commencement speakers are often successful alumni such as Congressman John B. Larson (D-1st), CitiFinancial CEO Michael Knapp, and CCSU professor Kristine Larsen. The most recent four governors of Connecticut have spoken at CCSU commencement exercises.
Since 1983, twenty-three speakers have been featured as part of the Vance Distinguished Lecture Series. These have included well-known journalists such as Anderson Cooper, Dan Rather, and Bob Woodward, as well as figures from government such as Robert Gates, Rudolph Giuliani, and Shimon Peres.
CCSU began awarding honorary doctoral degrees in 1985. Honorees have included the CEOs or Chairmen of six major corporations, four U.S. Presidents, and heads of state of Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Poland.