The Free University was formed at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 1970. Originally called the Alternative University, the school was run by the Campus Committee of Concern. The organization was created in contrast to the "modern" university and was meant to offer students an educational environment that was "unstructured and unrestricted." The idea was that students and instructors would determine the scope and direction of the class and no grades would be given. Additionally, the school was free and open to anyone interested in attending. According to one course catalog, the goals of the school were: to offer educational experiences outside of the classroom, to open and improve channels of communication between students, faculty, and administrators, and to build better relations between RIT and its surrounding community by providing opportunities for interaction between these groups. In 1971, the school reorganized under the Office of Student Personnel Services. The school continued to offer a wide array of courses through 1973. For instance, some of the courses taught during one year included: "Peace, Justice, & The Third World;" "Care & Breeding of Tropical Fish;" language courses in Hebrew, Spanish, French, and Esperanto; and religious history courses. Although the program was originally met with enthusiasm, interest gradually diminished and the school was closed in the spring of 1973.
From the description of Free University of RIT records 1970-1973 (RIT Library). WorldCat record id: 758503976
