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California State University, Chico

Coordinates: 39°43′54″N 121°50′58″W / 39.73167°N 121.84944°W / 39.73167; -121.84944
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California State University, Chico
Chico State's Kendall Hall
Former names
Northern Branch State Normal School of California (1887-1921)
Chico State Teachers College (1921-35)
Chico State College (1935-72)
MottoArs Probat Artificem
TypePublic
Established1887
EndowmentUS$45.6 Million[1]
ChancellorCharles Reed
PresidentPaul Zingg
Academic staff
1,000
Students14,500
Location
Chico
,
California
,
United States
CampusMedium-Sized Town, 119 acres (482,000 m²)
ColorsCardinal and White   
NicknameWildcats
AffiliationsCalifornia State University system , Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
MascotFile:Willie.jpgWillie the Wildcat
WebsiteCSU Chico

California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about one hundred miles north of Sacramento. California State University, Chico is commonly known as Chico State or Cal State, Chico.

History

On March 10, 1887, a legislative act was enacted to create the Northern Branch State Normal School of California. Less than a month later, Chico was chosen as the location. On June 24, 1887, General John Bidwell donated 8 acres (32,000 m²) of land from his cherry orchard. On July 4, 1888, the first cornerstone was laid. On September 3, 1889, doors opened for the 90 enrolled students. The library opened on January 11, 1890 with 350 books. On June 20, 1891 the first graduation took place, a class of 15.

In 1910, Annie Bidwell donated an additional two acres (8,000 m²) of land to be used for work with elementary agriculture. The next year Mrs. Bidwell donated an orange orchard lot 55 x 440 feet as the children's playground, which is connected to the Training School.[2] Twenty years later in 1921, legislation was enacted to change the school's name to Chico State Teacher's College. In 1922, Chico State Teacher's College added a junior college curriculum and awarded a certificate after two years. Also in 1922 Bidwell Mansion was turned into a women's dormitory, Bidwell Hall. In 1923 the first college paper, The Collegian was published. In 1924, the state board of education allowed the school to grant baccalaureate degrees. Also in 1924, the wildcat was chosen as the mascot. In 1925 the alumni organization was founded. In 1927 a fire destroyed the Normal Building. That same year a gym was built on the grounds of Bidwell Mansion. In 1929, the corner stone for the new administration building was laid on top of Normal Building's original corner stone. In 1929 the student bookstore was established.

Chico State campus in the spring

In 1935, Bidwell Hall was turned into a recreation and student center - the first student union. Also in 1935 a legislative act changed the college name from Chico State Teachers College to Chico State College. In 1937 evening classes started on campus and athletic fields were purchased from the Chico Board of Education. In 1939, chimes were installed in library tower. Sororities held a fund drive to raise $600 for them. In 1940 the college offered civilian pilot classes.

In 1948, dorms for 200 male students were set up on west side of Warner Street. The buildings were built during World War II and were used as bachelor quarters for a Marine Hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon. They were brought to Chico State in sections and reconstructed in the spring of 1948. The two story barrack-like structures had 36 rooms, each occupied by 4 students. North Hall later became a girls dormitory. The speech and debate team was founded by Herbert Rae, Speech & Drama Department Chair.

In 1950, California's governor allowed state colleges to grant Master of Arts degrees. In 1951 the college reorganized from 18 departments into seven divisions with chairmen. In 1956 a new flagpost and sign for in front of Kendall Hall was donated by the class of 1956. In 1957 a new cafeteria was built the rose gardens were planted. In 1958 the first "telecourse" was taught, Psychology 51.

In 1951 KCSC, a student run radio station launched, broadcasting old-time radio dramas on the campus public address system.

In 1963, the university farm was dedicated.

In 1966 new chimes were installed in Trinity Hall.

In 1972, Chico State College became California State University, Chico as a result of legislation passed in 1971.

File:100 0348.JPG
Chico State campus: Laxson Auditorium

In 1975, broadcasts of classes through closed circuit TV were used for the first time by residents in Oroville, Marysville and Colusa. Also in 1975, The Orion, the campus student newspaper published its first issue. In 1977, the other campus paper, The Wildcat, changed its name to Chico News and Review and moved off campus to become an independent publication. In 1978 bike riding was restricted on campus.

In 1981, the library was renamed for Ted Meriam.

In 1985 the 75th Pioneer Days was held, but the event was cancelled in 1987, ostensibly because of a riot.

In 1989 The Orion wins the National Pacemaker Award, the first of nine the paper has won.

In 2007 CSU Chico opens its first sub-campus in Redding, affiliated with Shasta College.

Today, there are six on-campus dorms. Whitney, Shasta and Lassen halls are on the main campus, while Esken, Mechoopda and Konkow are near the athletic fields about a block and a half away from the main campus. Whitney, Shasta and Lassen are named after the major mountains in Northern California, and the others are named after Indian tribes which used to inhabit the area. University Village or "UV" is a university-owned dorm about a mile off campus. Currently, the University is building another dormitory, to be named Sutter Hall, between Whitney Hall and Lassen and Shasta Halls.

Chico State's Kendall (Administration) Hall

Chico State is known for academic excellence in engineering, science, computing, business, technology, environmental studies, and communication.

Rankings

Academic

  • 6th Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2008)[1]
  • 4th Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2007)[2]
  • 4th Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2006)[3]
  • 3rd Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2005)[4]
  • 3rd Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2004)[5]
  • 4th Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2003)[6]
  • 3rd Best Public Master's Level University in the West (2002)[7]

Other

  • 8th Most Sustainable College Campus in the World[3]
  • Number 2 party school, Playboy Magazine, Party School Rankings (2002)
  • Number 1 party school, Playboy Magazine, Party School Rankings (1987)

School statistics

From Peterson's[4]
  • Enrollment: 15,025
  • Average GPA (admitted students): 3.41
  • Average SAT: 1238 (This represents the old SAT scoring system, new SAT statistics have not yet been published.)
  • Average GRE:1210 (Old GRE scoring system)
  • Average ACT: over 24
  • Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1

(from McDonald, Ph.D., Professor of Management)

  • One of 12 business undergraduate programs in the nation to be selected as a Net Impact Undergrad chapter. In their own words: "Net Impact is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a positive impact on society by growing and strengthening a community of new leaders who use business to improve the world." (see www.netimpact.org)
  • One of the very few (if not the only) universities to offer an interdisciplinary undergraduate Minor in Managing for Sustainability.(reference: tmcdonald@csuchico.edu)
  • Participant in Sustainable Business Network, along with Chamber of Commerce and local business. Students work with local business on sustainability-related issues.

Demographics

The Chico State Motto, "Today decides tomorrow"

Male to Female Percentage: Male 46% - Female 54%

The Orion

The Orion is Chico State's nationally acclaimed school newspaper, and has been named (on several occasions) the number one weekly collegiate publication.[5]


Athletics

The school's athletic director is Anita Barker. The school competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.[6]

The school sponsors soccer, basketball, cross country, golf, and track and field for both men and women. The school sponsors softball and volleyball for women, and baseball for men. The school finished third in the 2004-2005 NACDA Director's Cup.

CSU Chico won the NCAA Division II national championships in men's swimming and diving in 1973, 1974 and 1976. The program was eliminated several years after the 1976 national championship season.

The baseball team won the NCAA Division II national championship in 1997 and 1999 and has been in contention for the title often.

In 2001 the women's rugby team won a national championship.

Notable alumni

School presidents

  • Edward Timothy Pierce, 1889-1893
  • Robert F. Pennell, 1893-1897
  • Carleton M. Ritter, 1893-1897
  • Charles C. Van Liew, 1899-1910
  • Allison Ware, 1910-1917
  • Elmer Isaiah Miller, 1910, 1917-1918
  • Charles Osenbaugh, 1918-1930
  • Clarence Knight Studley, 1930-1931
  • Rudolph D. Lindquist, 1931-1931
  • Aymer Jay Hamilton, 1931-1950
  • George Glenn Kendall, 1950-1966
  • Robert Eugene Hill, 1966-1970
  • Lew Dwight Oliver, 1970-1971
  • Stanford Cazier, 1971-1979
  • Robert L. Fredenburg, 1979-1980
  • Robin Wilson, 1980-1993
  • Manuel A. Esteban, 1993-2003
  • Scott McNall, 2003-2004
  • Paul Zingg, 2004-present

Cultural references

  • Chico State mentioned as #1 party school in Seth McFarlane's American Dad! on FOX (episode 12 "Stan of Arabia Pt. 1," aired November 6, 2005)
  • 1997 Chico State's party reputation mentioned in King of the Hill, Bobby Hill's girlfriend Connie says, “I want to go to a party school..yeah Chico State!” [7]

References

  1. ^ Endowment Gift Assets FY 05–06 - University Foundation
  2. ^ Bailey, Mary Ellen. "University Archives: Chico State Normal School (1887-1921)". Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  3. ^ http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2007/08/10/colleges
  4. ^ "California State University, Chico". Yahoo! Education. 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-28.
  5. ^ "About The Orion". The Orion. 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
  6. ^ "Wildcat Athletics". California State University, Chico. 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  7. ^ "Chico Pop Culture References". Chico News & Review. 2005. Retrieved 2007-11-07.

Official University

Affiliated

39°43′54″N 121°50′58″W / 39.73167°N 121.84944°W / 39.73167; -121.84944

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