About this Book

The "Act for the Establishment of College or University within this Colony," under which the University is governed, was passed by the House of Magistrates on March 2, 1764, and the Upper House concurred on March 3. An earlier Charter drafted by Ezra Stiles was presented at the August session of 1763, and the motion on its acceptance was postponed. The original Act passed in 1764 is preserved in the Rhode Island State House. The Charter has been amended in 1925 and 1942 to change the denominational requirements for the presidents and other officials.