Night City University (NCU) is one of the most important education centers of Night City. Founded in 1994 and originally named Richard Night University,[1] by the Time of the Red, NCU was an academic fortress and bastion of higher learning, supporting a lively counterculture. Its architecture ranges from faux brownstone to pseudo-Victorian gingerbread buildings.[2]
Night City University began as Richard Night University, and was built in 1994 to be the academic center of his model city. He placed the campus on the western edge of the beautiful Lake Park to balance the thriving Corporate Center on the opposite side. Together they form the city's Yin and Yang of commerce and higher learning. On warm days, the campus end of the park teems with students studying or enjoying the sun.
The original university took up only the lower half of the 2020 NCU campus. After the corporate takeover in 2009, the campus was expanded on size and renamed Night City University. Most of the humanities functions were moved to the newly constructed northern half of the campus, while the science departments stayed in the grouping of older buildings in the southern end.
As of 2020, Night City University had over 15,000 students, many of whom commuted to classes on buses that ran at 20 minute intervals between the campus and the maglev station at the western edge of the corporate sector. The university was best known for its high quality engineering curriculum, but could still offer a sound education in the humanities.
When visiting the NCU campus, you needn't worry about the gang problem that plagued so much of the city, because the campus police kept stern control over the undesirables in their territory. Their glossy black protective gear and no-nonsense attitude earned them the moniker "The Mad Maxes" among the students. While they jibed their protectors, it wasn't uncommon to hear a student yell for a "Max" when he got into trouble. While the main objective of the campus police was campus security, students could enter into an optional protection agreement with the university in which the campus police would come to the aid of any student living in the nearby blocks outside of the campus.[1]
Cyberpunk 2077[]
In 2077, Arasaka signed a cooperation agreement with NCU, allowing students and teachers to acquire an Arasaka Ozukumi SX cognitive cyberware on loan at a 20% discounted rate.[3]
Oliver Hernandez, a biology professor from NCU, briefly appeared on the late-night talk show Night After Night with Ziggy Q, to talk about his petition to overturn the Avian Extermination Act and allow birds to return to Night City.[4]