It began in 1904 as the Schweizerische Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (SHRK), becoming in 2001 the Rektorenkonferenz der Schweizer Universitäten.
[2] The CRUS pursued the goal of promoting the common concerns of Swiss universities.
Among other things, it encouraged coordination and cooperation in teaching, research, and educational services.
Involved in all matters requiring mutual understanding or common opinion in higher education, it represented Swiss universities in political, business, cultural, and public arenas.
The CRUS signed the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities in January 2006.