A personal account of the years 1970 to 1979 at The City College of New York is presented in the form of memoirs of the eighth president of City College, Robert E. Marshak. Topics discussed include: the history of City College, urban higher education, open admissions, the liberal arts, ethnic studies, professional training, biomedical education, community outreach of the college, fund-raising for urban public education, the tax-levy budget, and private fund-raising. It is argued that during the years between 1964 and 1970, colleges and universities were the centers of disruptions and social explosions that emanated from social, economic, political ethnic, and generational forces. Many American campuses were physically surrounded by racial minorities whose expectations and anticipations had been elevated to new highs by federal court decisions and legislation in the earlier years of the decade, and whose disappointment and frustration of the nonrealization of the promised improvements turned later to rage and hostility toward society, government, and the educational system itself. The response of City College in the seventies through education for urban students, improvement of the physical plant, and community outreach is documented. (CC)