Since its founding in 1701, Yale has been dedicated to expanding and sharing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and preserving cultural and scientific information for future generations.

Leadership & Organization

Yale is overseen by President Peter Salovey and the university’s board of trustees, who comprise the governing and policy-making body known formally as the Yale Corporation. The institution is also led and supported by the University Cabinet, an advisory body convened by the president, which consists of the deans, vice presidents, and other senior academic and administrative leaders.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Undergraduate students: 5,964
• Graduate & professional students: 7,469
• International students: 2,996
• Faculty members: 4,739
• Countries represented by international students: 123
• Registered undergraduate organizations: 288
• Varsity sports teams: 35
• Library holdings: 15M

Traditions & History

The university traces its roots to the 1640s when colonial clergymen led an effort to establish a local college to preserve the tradition of European liberal education in the New World. In 1701 the charter was granted for a school “wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences (and) through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”

The school officially became Yale College in 1718, when it was renamed in honor of Welsh merchant Elihu Yale, who had donated the proceeds from the sale of nine bales of goods together with 417 books and a portrait of King George I.

Take a stroll through Yale’s three centuries of history, and learn about the traditions that have become part of the fabric of our university.

Traditions & History

The university traces its roots to the 1640s when colonial clergymen led an effort to establish a local college to preserve the tradition of European liberal education in the New World. In 1701 the charter was granted for a school “wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences (and) through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”

The school officially became Yale College in 1718, when it was renamed in honor of Welsh merchant Elihu Yale, who had donated the proceeds from the sale of nine bales of goods together with 417 books and a portrait of King George I.

Take a stroll through Yale’s three centuries of history, and learn about the traditions that have become part of the fabric of our university.