Educational Opportunity Program History

Having been in operation for close to a half century, the Educational Opportunity Program had its origins in the late 1960's, during the Rockefeller Administration. The State University objective as articulated in 1966 set forth a long-range commitment that "every student capable of completing a program of higher education should have the opportunity to do so."  The Trustees expressed the goal of giving each applicant “what he or she needs to the limit of his (her) capabilities, provided that the applicant is willing to be tested and advised."

EOP students at Cortland have a long and rich history of accomplishments and diverse interests. Recent graduates and current students have earned laurels for their work in Residential Life, leadership positions in Student Government, with departmental recognition, induction into the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honors Society, and external scholarship awards. Their talent and strong commitment to our community is felt across campus and in the Cortland community in an array of activities, which has included theater, dance, sports, cultural programming, committee service, and collaborative research and volunteerism. In short, our students add to the wealth and breadth of Cortland’s diversity.