The New Student's Reference Work/New York (City) University

New York [City] University, an institution of higher learning in New York City. It had its inception at a meeting of citizens of high standing on Jan. 4, 1830. A committee appointed at this meeting received a large number of subscribers to the establishment of a new university on a “liberal and comprehensive foundation.” The first university council was elected by these subscribers on April 18, 1831. University College opened in the following year. The first building was erected on Washington Square in 1835. The law-school was opened the same year, the medical school in 1841, the school of applied science in 1862, the graduate school in 1886, the school of pedagogy in 1890, the veterinary college in 1898, and the school of commerce in 1900. The university comprises eight distinct faculties and schools of matriculants under its council and, in addition, the summer-school and the woman's law-class, both made up of nonmatriculants who are enrolled without examination. The era of greatest development was from 1890 to 1900. In 1891 22 acres of land, now known as University Heights, overlooking Harlem River, were acquired. Several buildings have been erected, in which some of the schools are now accommodated. The library, completed in 1900, is the chief architectural feature with its open colonnade, the Hall of Fame, extending halfway around and overlooking the Harlem. The library in 1907 contained 84,000 volumes. The university had 108 professors, 57 lecturers, 52 instructors, 38 assistants and 84 other officers; and enrolled 3,277 students in all schools. The grounds and buildings at University Heights, Washington Square and First Ave., between 25th and 26th Streets have a valuation of $3,500,000. The university has a productive endowment of $1,200,000 and an annual income, including $40,000 from subscribers, of $340,000. The university-council has authority to confer about 20 different academic degrees.