This article from the New York Review of Books explores the history of the City College of New York (CCNY), tracing its origins to 1847 and its evolution as a tuition-free institution for working-class students.
Initially established as the Free Academy, CCNY aimed to educate children of the working class. The article emphasizes the significant role played by Jewish students, who comprised a large portion of the student body beginning in the early 20th century. This was partly due to quotas in elite private universities and the strong emphasis on education within the Jewish community.
The article portrays CCNY's early years as a place of intellectual vitality, despite modest facilities.
The article describes the unique intellectual and social environment within CCNY, characterized by intense debate and intellectual engagement among students. Many students hailed from working-class families, and their discourse was often marked by a passionate, argumentative style.
The author shares her own experience as a first-generation college student at CCNY, reflecting on the challenges and transformations she experienced as well as the impact it had on her family.
The article concludes by emphasizing the lasting legacy of CCNY in providing educational opportunities to a diverse student population and fostering an environment of intellectual debate and social change. The legacy also highlighted the sometimes strained relationship between the highly educated children and the working class families from whom they came.