The California State University System
The individual California State Colleges were brought together as a system by the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. In 1972, the system became The California State University and Colleges, and in 1982, the system became The California State University (CSU). The CSU system has 23 campuses, more than 450,000 students, and over 63,000 faculty and staff. We are the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable public university systems in the country.
Responsibility for the CSU is vested in the Board of Trustees, consisting of ex-office members, an alumni representative, and members appointed by the Governor, including members of the public, students, and faculty representatives. The Trustees appoint the Chancellor, who is the chief executive officer of the system, and the Presidents, who are the chief executive officers of their respective campuses.
The Trustees, the Chancellor and the Presidents develop system-wide policy with implementation on campuses taking place through broadly-based consultative procedures. The Academic Senate of the CSU, made up of elected representatives of the faculty from each campus, recommends academic policy to the Board of Trustees through the Chancellor. Specific terms of employment and working conditions are matters that are bargained with various CSU employee bargaining units.
History of California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is dedicated to serving the state as well as the local region through teaching, research and public service. The campus was established in 1957 as the 12th State College in California to be authorized by the Legislature. The name changed from Orange County State College to Orange State College in July 1962; to California State College at Fullerton in July 1964; to California State College, Fullerton in July 1968; and to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in June 1972. CSUF has developed into a comprehensive, regional university and has over 41,000 students and over 4,100 full- and part-time faculty members, staff and management personnel. Please refer to the Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (https://www.fullerton.edu/data/) for more information about the composition of the student, faculty, and staff populations.
In addition to excellent academic curricula with a strong focus on general education and the liberal arts, the University is also devoted to many areas of professional education. The campus offers 56 undergradute degree programs, 63 graduate (master’s and doctoral) degree programs, 1 blended BS/MS program, and several credential and certificate programs.
Campus Location
The main campus of Cal State Fullerton is located at 800 North State College Boulevard. The campus is principally bounded by State College Boulevard on the west, Yorba Linda Boulevard on the north, the 57 Freeway on the east, and Nutwood Avenue on the south; however, two buildings fall outside of these boundaries but are adjacent to the campus: College Park (to the south of campus) and the Titan Hall (to the west of campus). The main campus phone number is 657-278-2011.
Additional Operations
Cal State Fullerton also operates off-campus facilities; these include the– Grand Central Arts Center in downtown Santa Ana and the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, California.
Online Degrees and Classes
While the majority of the degrees offered by Cal State Fullerton are delivered in a traditional manner, the University offers several online degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The campus policy on Online Instruction is given in UPS 411.104.
University Mission
The University Mission states: “Cal State Fullerton transforms lives through innovative and quality education, research, and creative activities. We inspire all members of the Titan community to engage in their lifelong pursuit of critical inquiry and social justice; to become catalysts for equity and inclusivity; and to advance the intellectual, cultural, and economic growth of Orange County and beyond. For more information, please visit the Strategic Planning webpage.
Strategic Plan
Cal State Fullerton launched its third Strategic Plan in February 2024. Fullerton Forward, Cal State Fullerton’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, is developed collaboratively by the broad Titan community to set forth a thoughtful and aspirational roadmap for the University. This strategic plan distinguishes Cal State Fullerton as a model institution and amplifies our impact in communities. Recognizing the historical systemic and institutional barriers, the strategic plan aims to empower our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to pursue creative and varied practices, approaches, and modalities that support the diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all in the Titan community. The University as a whole, including each of its divisions and colleges, will engage in consultation and collaboration, commit resources and support, and embrace innovation and change in pursuit of the strategic plan goals. Together, we will move Fullerton Forward. For more information, please visit the Strategic Planning webpage: https://planning.fullerton.edu.
Accreditation
Cal State Fullerton is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WSCUC is an accrediting agency serving a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions in the United States and around the world. Through its work of peer review, based on standards agreed to by the membership, WSCUC encourages continuous institutional improvement, and assures the membership and its constituencies (including the public) that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good.
The accreditation process serves both external and internal purposes. It provides an opportunity within the campus community for broad-based deliberation on the current state of the institution: its success in fulfilling its mission, its areas of strength and areas of improvement, and its direction for growth in the years ahead.
Several specific academic programs are also accredited by national discipline-specific agencies. The university accreditation website provides a list of these programs: https://www.fullerton.edu/data/accreditation/
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