New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-10
FOR COLLEGE OF THE CITY.
Nezo To1cnsend Harris Building To
Be Opened This Week.

Friday Of this week will mark the opening of
the first of the five new buildings for the College
OF the CITY or New-York. Washington
Heights. This structure, by vote OF the board
Of trustees of the college, is called the Town
send Harris Building in honor Of the man who
had most TO do with the founding OF the instt-
tuition It will be used by the academic depart
nent Of the college, the outgrowth of the old
sub-freshman class. and representing what was
the course Of study in the former Free Academy
out OF which grew the present College Of the
City Of New-York. The academic classes are
preparatory to the collegiate department and
the course Of study has been made such as to
raise the standard for admission to the COL
legiate department. The present requirements
for admission to the collegiate department are,
in mathematics and modern languages In ad-
vance Of what is demanded by many of the
large colleges OF the country.
The first steps toward the erection Of city
college were taken in July, 1916, when the
Board Of Education adopted the resolution of
Townsend Harris for the appointment of COM
mittee to report on the subject of free acad-
envy In May. 1S47. the act establishing the in
stitution was passed. and in 1S4s. in obedience
to the popular Will, the old building was
erected for the Free Academy of the City Of
New-York- The discipline and courses of study
we're based on those of West Point Seth Low,
ex-president of Columbia University. has styled
the alumni Of the Free Academy the West
Pointers Of civil life"
In 1866 the original title Of the New-Yorlz
Free Academy was changed by the legislature
to the College Of the City of New-York. BY
1915, however. the college had outgrown the
building once sufficient for the Free Academy
Additions were made to the old building, and
then distant buildings. not fitted for college
purposes, were used. Finally came the appeal
for new buildings, suited TO the uses of the col
lege and after many delays the city authorities
1903, the cornerstone of the new buildings was
laid by Mayor Low.
The collegiate classes will remain in the old
buildings until the completion Of the other
projected structures on Washington Heights.
President Finley SAYS that within two weeks
classes reciting in the buildings In de-
scribing the rapid growth OF the college DR..
Finley said.
The college stands on the same footing
with other large colleges. The requirements in
mathematics and modern languages for adIlis-
sion TO the freshman class are greater than
what are demanded by Princeton The people
OF the city of NeW-York do not fully realize that
they have within their boundaries an institution
which is the equal OF the other large colleges OF
the country"
The Townsend Harris Building, which faces
Anlsterdanl-ave-. between 13Sth and both sts
contains ffty-1ve recitation and lecture rooms
and small assembly hall with q. seating ca
pacity Of $50.
The gymnasium, which contains a fine swim
the end OF this month. II is expected that the
other buildings the main building. the Mechan-
zeal Arts building and the assembly hall. will
be ready for occupancy by February /