California State University, Chico

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California State University, Chico (Chico State[7]) is a public university in Chico, California. It was founded in 1887 as one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century. [9] It is the second oldest campus in the California State University system. As of the fall 2020 semester, the university had a total enrollment of 16,630 students. The university offers 126 bachelor's degree programs, 35 master's degree programs, and four types of teaching credentials. Chico is a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI).

California State University, Chico
Former names
Northern Branch State Normal School of California (1887–1921)
Chico State Teachers College (1921–1935)
Chico State College (1935–1972)
Motto"Today Decides Tomorrow"[1]
TypePublic university
Established1887; 137 years ago (1887)
Parent institution
California State University
AccreditationWSCUC
Endowment$86.7 million (2022-23)
(millions)[2]
Budget$247.1 million (2023-24)[3]
PresidentStephen Perez
ProvostLeslie Cornick
Academic staff
860 (Fall 2023)[4]
Administrative staff
1,048 (Fall 2023)[4]
Students13,999 (Fall 2023)[4]
Undergraduates12,866 (Fall 2023)[4]
Postgraduates1,133 (Fall 2023)[4]
Location, ,
United States

39°43′48″N 121°50′51″W / 39.73000°N 121.84750°W / 39.73000; -121.84750
CampusMidsize city[5][6], Central Campus: 119 acres (48 ha)
Total: 3,249 acres (1,315 ha)
NewspaperThe Orion
ColorsChico red, cornerstone gray, black, and white[7]
       
NicknameWildcats[8]
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IICCAA
MascotWillie the Wildcat
Websitewww.csuchico.edu

History

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The historic campus of CSU Chico.
 
Trinity Hall as seen from George Petersen Rose Garden

On March 12, 1887, a legislative act was enacted to create the Northern Branch of the California State Normal School. Less than a month later, Chico was chosen as the location. In 1887, General John Bidwell donated 8 acres (3.2 ha) 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 Kennedy Bidwell donated an additional 2 acres (0.81 ha) of land to be used for work with elementary agriculture. The next year Mrs. Bidwell donated an orange orchard lot 55 × 440 feet (130 m) as the children's playground, which is connected to the Training School.[10] 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. 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 1927 a gym was built on the grounds of Bidwell Mansion. In 1929, the cornerstone for the new administration building was laid on top of Normal Building's original cornerstone.

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 1948, dorms for 500 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.

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. Then in 1956 a new flagpost and sign in front of Kendall Hall was donated by the class of 1956. In the following year, 1957, a new cafeteria was built and the rose gardens were planted. In 1958 the first "telecourse" was taught, Psychology 51.

 
The Arts & Humanities Building is one of the newest buildings on campus. It opened in July 2016.[11]

In 1972, Chico State College became California State University, Chico.

In 1975, broadcasts of classes through closed-circuit television 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.[12]

In 1987, Chico State was ranked as the top party school in the nation by Playboy.[13]

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

In 2005, student Matt Carrington was hazed to death at the Chi Tau (local) house, which had previously been expelled from the university in 2001 due to violations.[14] Carrington died as a result of water intoxication during a hazing session involving the victim being forced to exercise and drink large quantities of water.

In 2010, the President of the Associated Student body, Joseph Igbineweka, was stabbed in a racially motivated attack.[15]

In 2011, CSU, Chico received a Civic Learning Initiative Grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation to extend its efforts to establish civic engagement as a key component of students' academic success.[16]

Academics

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Facade of the new 110,200-square-foot Science Building

The university has more than 75 departments[17] and offers more than 150 undergraduate degrees.[18] It is organized into seven colleges and four schools:

  • College of Agriculture
  • College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
    • School of Social Work
  • College of Business
  • College of Communication & Education
    • School of Education
  • College of Engineering, Computer Science, & Construction Management
  • College of Humanities & Fine Arts
    • School of the Arts
  • College of Natural Sciences
    • School of Nursing

The university's library, the Meriam Library, has several special collections of Native American and Californian history.[19]

Rankings

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According to the U.S. News & World Report 2023 college rankings, Chico State was ranked at 13th for "Best Colleges for Veterans", tied 10 in Top Public Schools, 22 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, 70 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs teeing 12 in Civil Engineering and 206 in Nursing.[25]

According to the U.S. News & World Report 2022 college rankings, Chico State was ranked tied at 17th for "Best Colleges for Veterans", tied 18 in Top Public Schools, tied 24 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, tied 75 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and tied for 251 in Nursing.[26]

According to the U.S. News & World Report 2021 college rankings, Chico State was ranked tied for 9th among 66 western regional public universities, tied at 16th for "Best Colleges for Veterans", tied at 22nd for "Best Undergraduate Teaching", tied at 41st for "Social Mobility", and tied for 26th overall among 127 regional universities in the western United States. Lastly it tied at 91 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Program at a schools where doctorate not offered.[27]

Chico State was ranked 335th out of 650 colleges, universities, and service academies in the U.S. in the 2019 Forbes America's Top Colleges list, and was ranked 68th in the West, 73rd for "Best Value", and 113th among all public universities.[28]

Campus

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The California State University, Chico campus consists of a 119-acre main campus, the 800-acre Paul L. Byrne Memorial University Farm, and 2,330-acres of ecological reserves. These reserves include the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) and the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve (BCEP).[4]

Early construction

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Kendall Hall in June 2023

The construction of the normal school building was begun in September 1887. It was a large brick building, consisting of three stories and full basement. It was of Romanesque design with Elizabethan gables and artificial stone trimmings. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1927. The current administration building Kendall Hall was built on the site of the normal school in 1929.[29]

Colusa Hall, completed in 1921 is the oldest building on campus. Today it is used as a conference and public events facility.[30]

Alfred E. Warren House, built by noted Californian architect Julia Morgan in 1922-23, serves as the university president's residence.

Arboretum

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The Campus Arboretum is located across the campus of California State University, Chico along Big Chico Creek.

Nearby Bidwell Park includes 29 acres (12 ha) of a former arboretum, now run somewhat wild, which contains trees such as English oaks, hawthorn, cherry plum, bay laurel, cork oak, ponderosa, aleppo, and Monterey pines, willow, mulberry, linden, maple, catalpa, pine, and eucalyptus, collected from around the world.[31]

Residence halls

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Currently, the university can accommodate 2,150[32] or approximately 13% of the student body in seven on-campus residential halls. Most buildings on campus are named after California counties.

Meriam library

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In 1959, Chico State College Library was built. The library was expanded and renamed to the "Learning Activities Resource Center" (LARC) in 1975. It was in 1985 when the library gained another expansion and its current name, Meriam Library. A fourth floor of the library was constructed in 1985.[33]

Student life

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Chico State campus: Laxson Auditorium

Associated Students, Chico

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Associated Students, Chico is the student government at California State University, Chico.

Office of Student Life and Leadership

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Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023
Race and ethnicity[34] Total
White 67.9% 67.9
 
Hispanic 19.2% 19.2
 
Two or more races[a] 10.1% 10.1
 
Asian 5% 5
 
Black 2.1% 2.1
 
American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.8% 0.8
 
Pacific Islander 0.5% 0.5
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[b] 42% 42
 
Affluent[c] 58% 58
 

Student Life and Leadership, formally the Student Activities Office, incorporates four programs: Student Organizations and Leadership Education (SOLE), Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (FSA), Rec Sports, and the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center (CCLC).

Town Hall Meeting

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Chico State has an annual event where Chico State students gather in a public area and discuss most current policy issues with their peers. Faculty members are also involved.[35]

The Great Debate

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The Great Debate was created to drive members of both the campus and the community to take part in a conversation about important issues. A different topic is chosen every semester.[36]

Greek life

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As of May 2017 Chico State has 26 fraternities and sororities, making up approximately 12 percent of the student population.[37]

Demographics

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Fall First-Time Freshmen Statistics
  2023[38] 2022[39] 2021[40] 2020[41] 2019[42]
Applicants 22,910 22,137 19,990 19,999 25,908
Admits 20,864 20,324 17,056 18,034 18,740
Admit rate 91.07% 91.81% 85.32% 90.17% 72.33%
Enrolled 2,171 2,021 1,926 2,316 2,561
Yield Rate 10.41% 9.94% 11.29% 12.84% 13.67%
Average GPA 3.40 3.42 3.37 3.34 3.41

Male to Female Percentage: 44:56%[4]

CSU Chico along with CSU Bakersfield has the second largest enrollment percentage of Native Americans in the Cal State system.[43]

Student media

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KCSC Radio was founded in 1951. The university's student-run weekly newspaper, The Orion first began publishing in 1975.[44] In 1989, The Orion won the National Pacemaker Award, the first of nine times the paper has won the top prize in college journalism. In 2009, The Orion won the National Pacemaker Award for the 11th time at the College Media Convention.[citation needed]

In 1997 Wild Oak Music Group, an independent record company, was founded and is run by the Music Industry students within the College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Athletics

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The university's athletic teams are known as the Chico State Wildcats. The school sponsors soccer, basketball, golf, cross country, and track and field for both men and women. The school sponsors softball and volleyball for women, and baseball for men. The school's athletic director is Anita Barker. The school competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).[45] Since 1998, Chico State's athletic teams have won 99 NCAA Championship berths, 40 CCAA titles, 24 West Region titles, and 15 NCAA national titles.[46] The Wildcats softball team won the first AIAW Division III national championship in 1980, led by pitcher Kathy Arendsen.[47] Chico excels in cross country and track and field in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.[48]

The Wildcats of Chico State earned six team NCAA championships at the Division II level.[49] NCAA Division II individual championships by Scott Bauhs (2008) Men's cross country and J. J. Jakovac (2002, 2004) and Kyle Souza (2011) Men's Golf Championships.

Sustainability

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The Chico State Motto, "Today decides tomorrow"

Chico State made The Princeton Review's 2011 "Guide to Green Colleges", honoring campuses that "demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities, and career preparation."[50]

Noted people

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Notable alumni

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Name Known for Relationship to Chico
Annette Abbott Adams First female Assistant Attorney General of the United States
Nelson Briles Former Major League Baseball player
Donald J. Butz United States Air Force major general
John Canzano Sports Writer BA in English, 1995
Richard Campbell Musician
Don Carlsen Former NFL referee retired 2012
Doug Chapman Actor BA, 1994
Rocky Chávez served in the California State Assembly BA in English, 1973
Raymond Carver Author
Clay Dalrymple Former Major League Baseball player
Mark Davis Owner Las Vegas Raiders
Amanda Detmer Actress
Big Poppa E Professional slam poet Attended 1994-2000 (Journalism)
Clair Engle United States Senator BA, 1930
Horace Dove-Edwin Olympian MA in exercise science, 1999
Joddie Gleason College basketball coach
Megan Gormley Senior Director Volunteer Operations, BMW Championship (PGA TOUR)
Ken Grossman Co-founder Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Brandon Harkins Professional golfer
Joseph Hilbe Statistician and philosopher BA in Philosophy
Dominik Jakubek Goalkeeper for Major League Soccer BA Liberal Studies 2009
Troy Johnson Food critic, TV judge of Food Network shows BA Speech Communications and Poetry 1997
Mat Kearney Columbia recording artist Attended Chico State for 2 years
Adnan Khashoggi Saudi businessman
Sandra Lerner Co-founder of Cisco Systems BA Political Science 1975
Michael Messner Sociologist, Professor at the University of Southern California BA, 1974; MA, 1976
Tirin Moore Neuroscientist and Professor at Stanford University / HHMI BA, 1990
Bob Mulholland Political strategist
Troy Neiman Baseball player
Matt Olmstead Writer and television producer
Kathleen O'Neal Gear Historian and archaeologist BA and MA
Maureen O'Toole Olympic silver medalist
Michael Polenske Entrepreneur & vintner Bachelors in Finance[51]
Lubna al Qasimi Minister for Economy and Planning of the United Arab Emirates BS in Computer Science
Ed Rollins Political strategist BA, 1968
Thom Ross Artist degree in fine arts, 1974
Gene Scott Ordained minister and religious broadcaster BA and MA
Carolyn Shoemaker Astronomer
Joshua Singleton Television installer & video game designer
(animated series Close Enough character)
Glynnis Talken Author BA
Dale Thayer Major League Baseball player
Mark Thoma Economist BA, 1980
Mike Thompson Member of the United States Congress
Mark Ulriksen Painter
Johannes van Overbeek Race car driver
Patrick Vaughan Historian
Tamilee Webb Actress and fitness pioneer BA, MA 1996
Bill Wattenburg Radio host, author, inventor
Chris Wondolowski Forward for Major League Soccer
Don Young Former member of the United States Congress BA, 1958

Faculty

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Name Known for Relationship to Chico
John Gardner Author Professor of English
Michael Gillis Historian Lecturer in history
Carolivia Herron Author and scholar Professor of English
Troy Jollimore Poet Professor of Philosophy
Janja Lalich Sociologist Professor of Sociology
Carolyn Ringer Lepre academic administrator assistant professor of journalism
Harold Lang Dancer and actor Professor of dance, 1970–1985
Peveril Meigs Geographer Professor of geography, 1929–1942
Nicholas Nagy-Talavera Historian Professor of History, 1967–1991
Michael Perelman Author Professor of Economics
Sarah M. Pike Author Professor of Comparative Religion and Humanities
Jane Wells Shurmer Women's sports Professor of Physical Education
Ivan Sviták Philosopher, Critic, Poet Professor of Philosophy, 1970–1990

University presidents

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  • Edward Timothy Pierce, 1889–1893
  • Robert F. Pennell, 1893–1897
  • Carleton M. Ritter, 1897–1899
  • 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
  • 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, 2004–2016
  • Gayle E. Hutchinson, 2016–2023
  • Stephen Perez, 2023–present

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
  2. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  3. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

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  1. ^ "Chico State Logo Standards Guidelines" (PDF). csuchico.edu. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. ^ As of June 30, 2023. "U.S. and Canadian 2023 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY22 to FY23, and FY23 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student". National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). February 15, 2024. Archived from the original (XLS) on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "2023-24 Campus Budget Plan" (PDF). csuchico.edu. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Chico Facts". California State University, Chico. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024.
  5. ^ "CSUMentor - Explore Campuses - Comparative View". Csumentor.edu. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  6. ^ "IPEDS-California State University, Chico". Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  7. ^ a b "Visual Identity Overview" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "Chico Facts - CSU, Chico". Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  9. ^ Christine Ogren, The American State Normal School: 'An Instrument of Great Good' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) pp. 1-5, 213-235; online Archived 2024-05-09 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ Bailey, Mary Ellen. "University Archives: Chico State Normal School (1887-1921)". Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  11. ^ New Arts and Humanities Building opens Archived 2020-03-26 at the Wayback Machine, in: Chico State Today, July 28, 2016, retrieved on March 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "Cal State, Chico, History". Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "Playboy's Party Schools". Snopes.com. 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  14. ^ Morrison, Keith (June 26, 2006). "Hazing death at Chico State". NBC News. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  15. ^ "Confronting the killer of your loved one". CNN. July 22, 2008. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  16. ^ "Civic Learning Initiative Receives Grant from W. M. Keck Foundation - CSU, Chico News - CSU, Chico". Csuchico.edu. January 31, 2011. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  17. ^ "Colleges and Departments". Chico State. 2008. Archived from the original on January 3, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
  18. ^ "Program Search". Chico State. 2008. Archived from the original on January 2, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
  19. ^ "Library Collections". Meriam Library. 2008. Archived from the original on November 30, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
  20. ^ "2024 Master's Universities Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "2023-2024 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "America's Top Colleges 2024". Forbes. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "2025 Best Colleges in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "California State University–Chico - U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  25. ^ "U.S. News Best College Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. 2022. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  26. ^ "U.S. News Best College Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. 2022. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  27. ^ "U.S. News Best College Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. 2021. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "America's Top Colleges". Forbes. August 15, 2019. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  29. ^ "University Archives - Campus Buildings". Csuchico.edu. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  30. ^ "Campus Buildings". csuchico.edu. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  31. ^ "Campus Grounds - University Archives". Meriam Library -- Special Collections. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  32. ^ "UHFS Annual Report 2011-2012" (PDF). csuchico.edu.[permanent dead link]
  33. ^ "History of Meriam Library". library.csuchio.edu. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  34. ^ "College Scorecard: California State University-Chico". United States Department of Education. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  35. ^ "The CSU, Chico Town Hall Meeting". Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  36. ^ "Chico Great Debate". Archived from the original on 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  37. ^ "Fraternity and Sorority Affairs". www.csuchico.edu. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  38. ^ "Common Data Set 2023-24" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  39. ^ "Common Data Set 2022-23" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  40. ^ "Common Data Set 2021-22" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  41. ^ "Common Data Set 2020-21" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  42. ^ "Common Data Set 2019-20" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  43. ^ "Ethnicity Enrollment Profile". www.calstate.edu. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  44. ^ "About". The Orion. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  45. ^ "Wildcat Athletics". California State University, Chico. 2006. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
  46. ^ "Competing with NCAA Elite - Best of Chico State - CSU, Chico". Csuchico.edu. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  47. ^ "The Hall of Fame Committee Salutes the 1980 Softball Team" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  48. ^ "CCAA Champions". October 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  49. ^ "Championships Summary" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  50. ^ "Topping the Green List - Best of Chico State - CSU, Chico". Csuchico.edu. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  51. ^ Nalley, Richard. "Napa Valley: The Entrepreneur's Tour". Forbes Life. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.

Further reading

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  • Dunham, E. Alden. "Colleges of the Forgotten Americans. A Profile of State Colleges and Regional Universities." (McGraw Hill, 1969).
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