The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-10
NEW CRY COLLEGE BUILDINGS
Academic Department to Move In on Fri.
day: Othcrs Next February.

Academic Department to Move In on Fri
day: Others Next February.
Next Friday win See the opening Of the
first OF the five new buildings erected for
the College Of the City, Of New York or
Washington Heights. This building will
by vote OF the board Of trustees Of the
college, be called the Townsend Harris
Building, in honor Of the man who had
most to do with tho founding Of the college
It will be used entirely by the academic
department. ,.
This academic department, which is the
outgrowth OF the old sub.freshman class
now represents what was the course OF
study IN the Free Academy-the parent
OF the College OF the City Of New York
The academic classes are but preparatory
to the collegiate department, and under
present conditions the requirements fol
admission to the collegiate department
are in mathematics and modern languages
far in advance Of what is demanded by
the majority Of the larger colleges.
The first steps toward the erection OF
a city college were taken in July, 1s4e,
when the Board Of Education adopted
the resolution of Mr.. Townsend Harris
for the appointment OF committee to
report on the subject Of free academy.
In May, 1S47, the act establishing the
institution was passed. In 1S4S was erected
the old building for the Free Academy
Of the City Of New York. The discipline
and courses of study were based on those
Of the West Point Military Academy. Seth
Low, ex-president Of Columbia University,
has styled the alumni OF the Free Academy
"the West Pointers Of civil life." b.
In 1855 the original title of the New York
Free Academy was changed by the Legisla-
ture to the College Of the City Of New ork.
the building once sufficient for the Free
Academy. Additions were made to the
old building. Then distant buildings not
fitted for college purposes were used.
Finally came the appeal for new buildings
suited to the uses Of the college. After
many battles and more delays the city
authorities finally gave their assent. and
on Sept. 20, 1903 Mayor Low laid the
cornerstone Of the new building.
The collegiate classes will remain in
the old buildings until the completion Of
the other new structures on Washington
Heights: President Finley said Yesterday
that within two weeks there would be ! 500
on Washington Heights. In describing
the rapid. growth Of the college DR.. Finley
remarked:
"The college now stands on the same
footing with the other large colleges. The
requirements in mathematics and modern
languages for admission to the freshman
class are greater than what is demanded
ut Princeton. The people of the city Of
New York do not fully realize that they
have as the pinnacle Of their public school
system an institution which is the equal OF
Columbia or Princeton"
The Townsend Harris Building. which
faces Amsterdam avenue, between 13Sth
and 13eth streets, contains fifty-five recita-
ton and lecture rooms. and an assembly
hall with a seating capacity OF $50.
The gymnasium. which contains a swim
ming pool 80 by 100 feet. will be opened by
the other buildings, the main building for
the collegiate classes. the mechanical arts
building and the assembly hall will be
ready for occupancy by Feb. /, 1908.