New College of California

New College of California was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 by former Gonzaga University President, Father John Leary. Although it lasted only thirty-seven years, ceasing operations in early 2008, New College became one of the most renowned experimental liberal arts institutions in the United States. It boasted an extraordinary curriculum in the literary and performing arts, public interest law, community activism and leadership, psychology, and teaching, launching a remarkable number of artists and activists who pioneer at the forefront of America’s avant-garde. Its legacy continues to influence an alternative educational philosophy and practice.

New College’s main campus was housed in several buildings in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco. The offices at 777 Valencia, and companion buildings across the street, were home to its Humanities-based programs, Media Studies, Experimental Performance Institute, broadcast studio, and administration offices.

New College of California School of Law at 50 Fell Street was within walking distance of City Hall and government offices, sharing this building with Bay Area Legal Aid, the largest free legal aid services provider in San Francisco, and with the Holt Labor Library. On April 1, 2008, the law school merged with John F. Kennedy University Law School.

The "Green Living Center" was scheduled to open in Fall 2007. It was to be located in the former SRO (single room occupancy) Casa Loma Hotel, which was badly damaged by fire and became uninhabitable. The building is currently for sale. Peter Gabel and Rod Holt are lien holders on the Casa Loma.

The East Bay Weekend BA Completion Program in "Self-Mastery, Leadership and Resilience In Urban Environments and Global Society" was housed in Emeryville.

The North Bay Campus in Culture Ecology and Sustainable was housed in Santa Rosa, California, in a building owned by the Arlene Francis Foundation, a private foundation run by Peter Gabel, former president of New College and Arlene Francis's son.

New College of California was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 by former Gonzaga University President, Father John Leary. Although it lasted only thirty-seven years, ceasing operations in early 2008, New College became one of the most renowned experimental liberal arts institutions in the United States. It boasted an extraordinary curriculum in the literary and performing arts, public interest law, community activism and leadership, psychology, and teaching, launching a remarkable number of artists and activists who pioneer at the forefront of America’s avant-garde. Its legacy continues to influence an alternative educational philosophy and practice.