Governors State University

Governors State University

Type	Public
Established	1969
President	Elaine P. Maimon
Provost	Deborah Bordelon
Administrative staff	1,192
Undergraduates	3,526
Postgraduates	2,194
Address	1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois, USA
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Black      White
Mascot	Jaguars
Affiliations	North Central Association of Colleges and Schools The Higher Learning Commission
Website	govst.edu

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Governors State University is a public university located in University Park, Will County, Illinois, United States. The 750 acres (3.0 km²) campus is located 30 miles (48 km) south of Chicago, Illinois. GSU was founded in 1969. GSU is a comprehensive public university with a broad curriculum, offering degree programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. GSU has four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Health and Human Services.

Governors State University was officially established as a state-supported institution of higher education on July 17, 1969, when Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed into law House Bill 666. The University was to have opened with its first class of students in September 1973. However, the four year planning period was reduced to two years and GSU received its first class of students in September 1971. GSU was one of the original "Universities without Walls" as well as a university that did not offer grades, but competencies. In place of departments, it had interdisciplinary studies, and all professors hold the rank of University Professor.

GSU has developed into a more traditional university, with divisions and departments, professors with rank (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor), and classrooms with smart technology. The first doctoral program was created in 2007 as a professional doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. GSU has the following colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Health and Human Services. The University as a whole is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the public administration program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The University is also a member of the Illinois Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs.