California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico Summary

California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the California State University system, and home to the Chico University Arboretum. 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. On March 10, 1887, a legislative act was enacted to create the Northern Branch State Normal School of California. 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. In 1924, the state board of education allowed the school to grant baccalaureate degrees. 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. They were brought to Chico State in sections and reconstructed in the spring of 1948. In 1950, California’s governor allowed state colleges to grant Master of Arts degrees. In 1972, Chico State College became California State University, Chico as a result of legislation passed in 1971. 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. Male to Female Percentage: Male 47% – Female 53% CSU Chico’s academic departments and programs are organized into 7 colleges: The Orion is Chico State’s nationally acclaimed school newspaper, and has been named (on several occasions) the number one weekly collegiate publication. The school competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. CSU Chico won the NCAA Division II national championships in men’s swimming and diving in 1973, 1974 and 1976.

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California State University-Chico History

Chico State was founded in 1887 as a result of legislative action founding the Northern Branch State Normal School of California in Chico, California. General John Bidwell donated 8 acres of his cherry orchard to house the school. The Bidwell family turned out to contribute more land and, eventually, their mansion, which was turned into a female dormitory in 1922. The wildcat was chosen as the mascot in 1924. Chico State was officially named California State University—Chico in 1972.

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California State University-Chico Academics

Chico State offers over 100 undergraduate majors, concentrations, and degree options. It is ranked in the top 4 public regional universities in the west. The university is divided into two broad categories: the humanities (liberal arts and sciences) and professional studies. Liberal arts colleges include Behavioral & Social Sciences, Humanities & Fine Arts, and Natural Sciences. Professional studies colleges include Agriculture, Business, Communication & Education, and Engineering, Computer Science, & Technology.

Chico State University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute. The university has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 9 colleges: the College of Agriculture, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Communication and Education, the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the School of Graduate, International, and Sponsored Programs, and the College of Regional and Continuing Education.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in the liberal arts and in professional and technical areas such as agriculture, art, business administration, chemistry, economics, French, kinesiology, multicultural& gender studies, music, nursing, recreation administration, education, and social work. Minors and certificate programs are also available.

Graduate programs are offered at the master’s level in the humanities and technical programs. Degrees are available in art, communication studies, education, business administration, electrical engineering, history, nursing, and social work, among others. Some programs have more than one concentration or area of study. There are no doctoral level or professional programs such as law or medicine at Chico State.

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California State University-Chico Unique Programs

Chico State offers a BA and a minor in American Studies. The degree requires six units in each Cultural Diversity and American Institutions and includes studies of American writers, popular culture, folklore, society, and history. Students can also work with an advisor to design their American Studies degree plan around their plans for the future or an intended profession.

The BS in Mechatronic Engineering revolves around the study of intelligent systems and resulting products of mechanized systems, including sensing, acquisition, and computation for improved performance. The Mechatronic Engineering major is founded in traditional engineering curriculum, but encourages students to explore the possibilities of this emergent discipline.

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers a minor in Career and Life Planning that can be combined with other social science disciplines to enhance a students preparedness for counseling or therapeutic work.

One of Chico State’s special programs is the Technology and Learning Program, which works with faculty on integrating technology into the classroom. It provides both teaching and instruction on software and pedagogical resources for the implementation of computers in the teaching environment.

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California State University-Chico Financial Aid

Chico State supports the Federal Pell Grant, SEOG, Educational Opportunity Grant Program, California Student Aid Commission awards, and State University Grant. In addition, Chico State offers numerous scholarship opportunities. Deserving, meritorious students may receive between $100 and $3,000 in merit-based Chico Scholarships. The President’s Scholarship, one of the more prestigious institutional aid programs, is an invitation-only scholarship competition based on admissions applications. There are also athletic scholarships and aid awards based in specific departments. Students are encouraged to contact the specific departments about these particular awards.

The registration fee at Chico State University is $1,685 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for interested students with financial need. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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California State University-Chico Students

Chico State has dozens of student organizations for different cultures, political affiliations, academic and recreational interests, and services. There are also a number of fraternities and sororities for students to choose from. The Greek system is currently undergoing a massive overhaul in response to a challenge from the University’s President to clean up their image and undertake their intended leaderships roles on campus. Chico State offers students a Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center, Leadership Program, and advisory services to assist them with any needs they may have.

Student life at Chico State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Organizations include Greek life, academic-related organizations, religious organizations, political groups, and recreational activities. Many services exists for helping students out with personal, academic, and financial needs. Art exhibitions and performances take place on campus throughout the year. There are two museums, a student-run radio station and a public radio station, a planetarium, and athletic facilities for recreation. There is a weekly student newspaper.

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California State University-Chico Traditions

Much of the University’s history involves the main campus, which was originally a cherry orchard. The Bidwell family owned that orchard, and donated portions of it to the school as it grew, ultimately contributing their own home to Chico State. That building served as a dorm, a gymnasium, and a recreation center. Where the “Normal Building” once stood, a new administration building was constructed, after the original facility was destroyed by a fire. In fact, the original cornerstone was used from the old structure to lay the foundation for the new.

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California State University-Chico Local Community

Chico has a population of nearly 60,000 and was founded by General John Bidwell in 1860. Chico can be considered a “baseball town,” because in addition to Chico State’s baseball team, it is home to the Chico Outlaws (Golden Baseball League) and the Chico Heat (Western Baseball League). Bidwell Park is the seventh-largest municipal park in the country. In addition to it, Chico is also home to the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, Chico University Arboretum, and the tallest building between Sacramento and Portland.

Chico State University is located in Chico, California, in the northern Sacramento Valley. The urban area has a population of approximately 100,000. The city of Chico has a large municipal park with biking, hiking, and equestrian trails. Butte County extends to the foothills of the Sierra and Cascade mountains, and has many outdoor activities.

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