California State University: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The California State University (CSU) system has a combined 23 campuses, 414,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, making it the largest university system in the United States. The CSU awards more than half of the bachelor's degrees and a third of the master's degrees granted in California and has awarded more than 2 million bachelor's, master's and joint doctoral degrees since 1961.

The system began with a series of "Normal Schools", the first of which became San José State, established from 1857-1913 and renamed to "Teachers Colleges" in 1921. In 1960, the California legislature enacted the California Master Plan, which among other things created an 18-campus statewide California State College system. From 1972-1987, most campuses and the overall system were gradually renamed "California State University."

The CSU is one of the two major public university systems in California. While the University of California system focuses on research, the primary responsibility of the CSU schools is teaching. The UC system is also more selective and costlier to attend. Residents of California can attend the CSU system for a reasonable price, although this price has escalated recently (2003).

Each campus has its own president. Unlike systems in states such as Michigan or Virginia, the 23 campuses share a common chancellor, currently Charles B. Reed, and a 25-member board of trustees.

Campuses

• California State University, Bakersfield
• California State University, Channel Islands
• California State University, Chico
• California State University, Dominguez Hills
• California State University, Fresno
• California State University, Fullerton
• California State University, Hayward
• Humboldt State University
• California State University, Long Beach
• California State University, Los Angeles
• California Maritime Academy
• California State University, Monterey Bay
• California State University, Northridge
• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• California State University, Sacramento
• California State University, San Bernardino
• San Diego State University
• San Francisco State University
• San Jose State University
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• California State University, San Marcos
• Sonoma State University
• California State University, Stanislaus

• Desert Studies Center
• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories