Stanford or Harvard/Yale/Princeton/MIT, or Others?

<p>There is one mention in Princeton University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that offers an interesting historical tidbit — “…oft-quoted aphorism that the college system is a Princeton idea that was executed at Harvard with funding from Yale.”</p>

<p>“The precursor of the present college system in America was originally proposed by university president Woodrow Wilson in the early 20th century. For over 800 years, however, the collegiate system had already existed in Britain at Oxford University and Cambridge University. Wilson’s model was much closer to Yale’s present system, which features four-year colleges. Lacking the support of the trustees, the plan languished until 1968. That year, Wilson College was established to cap a series of alternatives to the eating clubs. Fierce debates raged before the present residential college system emerged. The plan was first attempted at Yale, but the administration was initially uninterested; an exasperated alum, Edward Harkness, finally paid to have the college system implemented at Harvard in the 1920s, leading to the oft-quoted aphorism that the college system is a Princeton idea that was executed at Harvard with funding from Yale.”</p>

<p>Is the report (Stanford Minutes) available on line? Thanks.</p>

<p>Here is a link to it:
<a href=“http://facultysenate.stanford.edu/2010_2011/minutes/10_07_10_SenD6388.pdf[/url]”>http://facultysenate.stanford.edu/2010_2011/minutes/10_07_10_SenD6388.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;