Consent Decree and Related Documents

On December 16, 2015 the Hon. Nancy M. Bannon granted the Cooper Union a cy pr​es relief and approved a Consent Decree in a settlement with The Committee to Save Cooper Union and the New York State Attorney General's Office. Below are documents and resources related to that settlement.

Judge's Ruling

Consent Decree

Cy Pres

Cooper Union's response to the Cy Pres Cross Petition

All related records (via Supreme Court Records On-Line Library)

Free Education Committee Reports

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.