Bard College Minutes, 1928-1944

St. Stephen's College, an undergraduate college of arts and sciences in Annandale-on-Hudson, was founded in 1860. In 1928, the College was incorporated within the educational system of Columbia University as one of its colleges for undergraduates (St. Stephen's College of Columbia University). Meant to be on parity with Columbia College and Barnard College, the College had an agreement similar to the one between Columbia and Teachers College. All schools shared one University President, but St. Stephen's retained its Board of Trustees and managed its own finances. Less than 100 miles from Morningside Heights, "Columbia Up-State" was a small, residential college for about 125 men, based on the Oxford and Cambridge model with small classes, tutorials, and a focus on independent research and study. Students even wore robes to lectures. In 1935, with former Columbia professor Donald Tewksbury as Dean, the College broke from the Protestant Episcopal Church and changed its name to Bard College of Columbia University, in honor of its founder, John Bard. In 1944, Bard opened its doors to women students, which marked the end of its association with Columbia.