The Young Men's Christian Association of the City of New York established a branch to work with college students in 1887, building on the work of several groups at individual colleges, including the University Christian Foundation of New York. The new branch focused on operating clubs at the colleges and universities in New York City. The branch had its own building, the Students Club, at 129 Lexington Avenue. The house provided accommodations for up to 20 men, dining service for up to 50 men, and a parlor, library and reading room. In addition to its clubhouse and its business office, the branch operated clubs throughout the city -- the number of clubs varied over time. In 1912, for example, there were clubs at New York University, Columbia University, College of the City of New York, New York Homeopathic Medical College, College of Physicians and Surgeons, University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, Cornell Medical College, and Union Theological Seminary. The branch also operated programs for foreign students, graduate students, preparatory school students, and conducted industrial service work.
Work with college students through the branch structure ceased in 1964, in part because of financial difficulties. The budget memo for that year recommended a significant reduction in staff and the reorganization of the branch. Paid staff were eliminated at Long Island University, Pratt Institute, Washington Square, NYU Medical School, Queens College, and NYU Heights. The proposal recommended the closing of two clubs, the merging of three others with nearby branches, and designating two others as "outposts." Under this plan, the branch office was closed and administrative supervision of work with college students reverted to metropolitan staff.
Information taken from the collection.
From the guide to the Intercollegiate YMCA records., 1865-1964., (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])
