The Charter of New York University, officially named "The University of the City of New York," was passed by the New York State Legislature on April 18, 1831. This foundational document set forth NYU's purpose, structure, and governance, establishing it as a perpetual corporation dedicated to "promoting Literature and Science." The charter outlines NYU’s powers to hold property, contract, and manage assets, though the university was initially restricted from owning real estate that yielded an annual income over $20,000.
The governance structure was vested in a council composed of 32 elected shareholders, alongside the Mayor and four members of New York City's Common Council. Importantly, the charter specified that no religious group could dominate the council, ensuring religious diversity and inclusivity in university operations. Council members were to be elected annually, with one-fourth rotating out each year, and shareholders with at least $100 in shares were given voting rights. The university was open to people of all religious backgrounds for any role or office, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity.
The
Charter of New York University - Act Incorporating
the University of the City of New York, Passed April 18, 1831, New York: Wm.
Mercein, Printer, 240 Pearl Street, corner of Burling slip. An
Act. The People of the State of New
York, represented in Senate and Assembly: Do Enact as follows:
 |
| Image courtesy of www.Historic.us |
§
I. The subscribers and shareholders of The University of New-York," are
hereby incorporated for the purpose of promoting Literature and Science: The corporation shall be known by the name of
"The University of the City of New York," and by that name shall have
perpetual succession; power to sue and be sued; to make and use a common seal,
and alter the same at pleasure; to hold property, real and personal; to
contract and be contracted with; and to buy and sell, and otherwise dispose of
lands and chattels: But the university shall not own real estate, at one time,
yielding an annual income exceeding Twenty Thousand Dollars.
 | |
|
§
II. The government and estate of the university shall be conducted and managed
by a Council, composed of thirty-two shareholders, and the Mayor and four
members of the Common Council of the City of New-York, for the time being. The
location of the university shall be in the City of New-York.
§ III. The members of the council (except the Mayor)
shall be elected by the shareholders: No one religious sect shall ever have a
majority of the board: The council may fill its own vacancies occurring
previous to an annual election.
§
IV. One-fourth of the members elected by the shareholders, shall go out of
office annually, when an election shall be held by the shareholders, to supply
their places, and all other vacancies occurring the preceding year. Members
going out of office, shall be re-eligible. In case the shareholders shall
neglect to make such annual election, the council may supply all vacancies
remaining in the board; and the persons so appointed, shall hold their offices
as if chosen by the shareholders.
§
V. Shareholders to the amount of One Hundred Dollars in votes, their own right,
or as proxy for other shareholders, shall be entitled to one vote for each one
hundred dollars so held by them.
 | |
|
§
VI. The university may continue to receive subscriptions to its funds, and
future subscribers shall have all the rights and privileges of those
subscribing previous to this act of incorporation.
§
VII. Eleven members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business; but no
real estate shall be conveyed, nor appointments to office made, (except to
supply vacancies in the council) other than by an affirmative vote of seventeen
members.
§
VIII. Persons of every religious denomination shall be equally eligible to all
offices and appointments.
 |
| Image courtesy of www.Historic.us |
§
IX. The University may grant to students under its charge, diplomas or honorary
testimonials, in such form as it may designate. It may also confer such
literary honors, degrees and diplomas, as are usually granted by any
university, college or seminary of learning in the United States.
§
X. Diplomas granted by the University, shall entitle the possessors to the
immunities and privileges allowed by usage or statute, to the possessors of
like diplomas from any college or seminary of learning in the State.
§
XI. No diploma shall be conferred by the University, but in conformity with the
Laws of the State in force at the time of conferring the same.
§
XII. This University shall be subject to the visitation of the Regents of the University
of this State, in the same manner, and to the same extent as the various
colleges in this State.
§
XIII. The council shall have power to appoint its own officers, and all the
officers of the university; to establish ordinances and by-laws, not
contravening the Laws or Constitution of this State or of the United States;
and to expel any of its members for a violation thereof.
 |
| Image courtesy of www.Historic.us |
§
XIV. The members of the council of the university, elected by the shareholders
at the last annual election, namely, Jonathan M. Wainwright, James M. Mathews,
Spencer H. Cone, James Milnor, Samuel H. Cox, Jacob Brodhead, Cyrus Mason,
Archibald Maclay, Morgan Lewis, Albert Gallatin, Samuel R. Betts, James
Tallmadge, Henry I. Wyckoff, George Griswold, Myndert Van Schaick, Stephen
Whitney, John Haggerty, Martin E. Thompson, James Lenox, Benjamin L. Swan, John
S. Crary, Samuel Ward Junior, William Cooper, Fanning C .Tucker, Oliver M.
Lownds, Valentine Mott, Edward Delafield, William W. Woolsey, Charles G. Troup,
Gabriel P. Disossway, Charles Starr, and John Delafield, with William Seaman,
Gideon Lee, Benjamin M. Brown and Thomas Jeremiah, members of the Common Council
of the City of New-York, together with the Mayor of the said City, shall
compose the first council under this incorporation. They shall allot themselves
into four equal classes, one of which shall go out of office at each succeeding
annual election.
§
XV. The legislature may at any time alter, repeal or modify this act.
State
of New York, Secretary's Office} I certify the preceding to be a true copy of
an original Act of the Legislature, approved by the Governor, and on file in
this office.
Archid.
Campbell, Deputy Secretary
Albany,
April 21st, 1831
202-239-1774 | Office
Book a primary source exhibit and a professional speaker for your next event by contacting Historic.us today. Our Clients include many Fortune 500 companies, associations, non-profits, colleges, universities, national conventions, PR and advertising agencies. As a leading national exhibitor of primary sources, many of our clients have benefited from our historic displays that are designed to entertain and educate your target audience. Contact us to learn how you can join our "roster" of satisfied clientele today!
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Historic.us
A Non-profit Corporation
A Non-profit Corporation
Primary Source Exhibits
727-771-1776 | Exhibit Inquiries
202-239-1774 | Office
Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
Naomi@Historic.us
Stan@Historic.us
Primary Source exhibits are available for display in your community. The costs range from $1,000 to $35,000 depending on length of time on loan and the rarity of artifacts chosen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.