[7] With the strong backing of Assemblyman General Stephen Misfitted, the Plattsburgh Normal and Training School bill was passed by both houses of the New York State Legislature, and signed into law by Governor David B. Hill in June of 1845.

[8] The board of directors adopted official by-laws for Plattsburgh State Normal and Training School on September 2, 1889.

[12] Plattsburgh State Normal and Training School officially opened with its first day of classes on the morning of September 3, 1890.

Aided by high winds and the building's well-oiled floors, the structure was engulfed in flames within a half-hour and demolished within an hour.

When the school became part of the SUNY system, it changed from a two-year teacher's institution to a four-year, public college.

During the 1960s and 1970s, SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as the whole State University of New York system, underwent rapid growth.

Many of the more modern buildings on campus were constructed during this time period, including the Angell College Center, Feinberg Library, and one low-rise and several high-rise dormitories.

[22] By 1980, after requests from the Plattsburgh Mayor and Police Chief, President Burke adjusted spring break to always include St. Patrick's day, forcing students to disband from the campus during the holiday.

[26] In a letter to the campus community on February 13, 2023, President Alexander Enyedi announced that the College would become a university, based on enrollment and graduate programs offered.

Prior to the founding of the SUNY system, the chief executive of the Plattsburgh State Normal and Training School was known as the principal.

The closest major city outside of Plattsburgh is Burlington, Vermont, which is less than 20 miles (32 km) "as the crow flies," but takes about an hour to travel to by ferry.

The closest major city within New York is Albany (headquarters of the SUNY system), 140 miles (230 km) to the south.

[27] The iconic focal point of Amité Plaza is a massive metal sculpture of two people shaking hands.

[27] Several key athletic facilities are located 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) west of the main campus at the Field House Complex.

SUNY Plattsburgh owns a campground outdoor education center, Twin Valleys, in Lewis, New York, approximately a 45-minute drive away.

Consisting of several cabins with beds, a lake, a low-ropes course, and a dining building, Twin Valleys is used for a variety of events, including RA training, dorm floor trips, and the annual Odyssey experience.

Two prominent permanent exhibitions are the Rockwell Kent Gallery and Collection and the Nina Winkel Sculpture Court.

[20] A few of SUNY Plattsburgh's more notable academic programs include: In 2024, SUNY Plattsburgh accepted 70.2% of undergraduate applicants with admission standards considered challenging, applicant competition considered low, and with those admitted having an average 3.11 high school GPA.

[46] Plattsburgh State competes in 16 different intercollegiate sports at the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The 2013–2014 Lady Cardinals' team blew out the Norwich Cadets in the 2014 NCAA Championship in Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena, 9–2 in front of a crowd of over 1600.

The previous year (2012–2013) the Lady Cardinals were defeated in the NCAA semifinals, moving on to grasp a third-place title.

The 2006–2007 Lady Cardinals' team that won the National Championship went undefeated (27–0–2); a feat accomplished for just the fourth time in NCAA hockey history (men's or women's at any level).

For the women's team, Shannon Stewart (2013), Alison Era (2013), Sydney Aveson (2013), Teal Gove (2012), Kara Buehler (2011), Stephanie Moberg (2009), Danielle Blanchard (2007, 2008),[60] Bree Doyle (2006, 2007),[61][60] Jenn Clarke (2006),[61] Erin O'Brien (2005),[62] and Elizabeth Gibson (2004)[63] have been first team All-Americans.

In 1998, Oswego goaltender Carl Antifonario shutout the Cardinals in Plattsburgh, denying fans the opportunity to throw any tennis balls.

[67] The men's track and field team has boasted nineteen NCAA All-American athletes, including two Nationals Champions; Andy Hastings (1986) and Chris Verkey (1998).

[69] The women's track and field team has seen ten NCAA All-Americans, including National Champion Kathy Kane (1989).

Their mission is to voice the concerns and interests of the students, as well as provide services, programs, and activities for the college community.

The HSA organizes and coordinates a wide variety of social activities to benefit the honors students, the campus, and the Plattsburgh community.

[75] An October 2015 cover of Cardinal Points gained national attention after being accused of depicting a blackface cartoon.

The communications department also runs WARP,[77] a radio station streaming over the cable bulletin board in the Plattsburgh area.