Charter Oak State College is a 4-year public liberal arts college in the Connecticut State system of higher eucation. The college is located in New Britain, Connecticut across the street from Central Connecticut State University's Mildred Barrows Hall, and is named for Connecticut's famous Charter Oak. The college was founded in 1973 by the Connecticut Legislature to provide an alternative way for working students to earn associate and baccalaureate degrees. Charter Oak is Connecticut's online public college.