UNF first offered classes on October 2, 1972, a little over a year after the initial groundbreaking ceremony. UNF began as a nontraditional university focusing on upper-division coursework, appealing to older part-time students. Today that type of university would be considered a “commuter school” due to a lack of campus housing and the enrollment of only junior, senior, and graduate-level students. In the 1980s UNF began offering four-year degree programs reflecting a more traditional University experience. The first freshman class was enrolled and began classes in 1984.

This introduction from Thomas G. Carpenter may be found on page 5 of the 1972-73 Catalog, part one available above.