Humboldt State University

History

Humboldt State Normal School was established as a teacher's college on June 16, 1913, by then-California Governor, Hiram Johnson. It was named after the famous German scientist Alexander von Humboldt. The cities of Arcata and Eureka (and to a lesser extent Fortuna) competed with one another to host the new campus. Arcata eventually won the university when William Preston, and the Union Water company, donated 55-acres. It opened on April 6, 1914 in the former Arcata Grammar School building with 78 students and 5 faculty. On May 26, 1915 the first commencement of the first graduating class occurred, a class of 15 women. The school was put under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education, renamed Humboldt State Teacher's College and Junior College, and moved to its current location in 1921. In 1924, during the presidency of Ralph Waldo Swetman, the Associated Students and the Alumni Association were organized and The Foghorn, the first student newspaper, was published. Bachelor's degrees began being offered in 1927. The school was renamed Humboldt State College in 1935 and the next year the Lumberjack was adopted as its mascot. In 1937, the students opened a cooperative bookstore and soda fountain, which would exist for the next 40 years as the center of student life.

During World War II, Arcata's city defense council suggested camouflaging Founder's Hall, which is visible from the Pacific Ocean, would not be a target for Japanese submarines. The council made its request in 1942, but Founder's Hall was not painted until the spring of 1944. The building remained camouflage green until 1948.

Graduate programs began being offered in 1947. Under President Siemens in 1952, HSU continued expanding by accepting students from abroad, including some from Yugoslavia, Germany, the Near East as well as US territories such as Samoa, Guam and Hawaii. KHSC, later KHSU, the first state college radio station in California, was established. In 1960, the college joined the newly formed California State College system. The junior college program, terminated at HSU in 1962, was re-established in 1964 at College of the Redwoods (CR) located at the southern edge of Eureka. CR is located only seventeen miles south of HSU, and the two institutions maintain a close working relationship, with many students transferring to HSU following graduation from CR.

Student activism on campus rose through the 1960s and early 1970s, peaking in a protest against the Vietnam War with about 800 students (out of 3,600) participating in demonstrations on October 15, 1969. This was followed by another protest with nearly 3,000 students who planned a strike after the Cambodian Incursion. With similar events across the state, Governor Reagan shut down the CSC system in May 1970 for the rest of the year. The 1970s also saw the rise of feminist, cultural, and LGBT groups, and though the Women's Center would be the only one to survive through the 1980s, most groups would reappear by the mid-1990s. The campus currently hosts a United Students Against Sweatshops group that is active in lobbying for ethical products and services on campus.

David Philips (HSU alum) established the Humboldt Film Festival in 1967. It is now one of the oldest student-run festival in the world. In 1996 the annual Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum workshop began being held on the campus every July. The workshop is the largest assemblage of Afro-Cuban folkloric masters in the United States, drawing students from across the country and around the world.

In 1972, the college was renamed California State University, Humboldt. However, it still continued to be popularly called "Humboldt State." Reflecting this, its name was simplified to Humboldt State University in 1974. Enrollment first reached 7,500 in 1974, and though it has increased to near 8,000 in years since, the university remains one of the smallest in the CSU system. Through the 1980s, mature students became a large part of Humboldt State's student body, and in 1986 40% of the students were over the age of 25. The number has since decreased to 30%.

In 1987 students and activists founded the optional Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility. The purpose of the Pledge is to encourage graduating students to be mindful of the social and environmental impacts of their employment as they enter the workforce or continue their education. Today over one hundred Universities and colleges worldwide use the Pledge to some extent.

List of HSU Presidents:

1. Nelson Blieau Van Matré (1914-1924)
2. Ralph Waldo Swetman (1924-1930)
3. Arthur Gist (1930-1950)
4. Cornelius Siemens (1950-1974)
5. Alistair McCrone (1974-2002)
6. Rollin C. Richmond (2002-2014)
7. Lisa Rossbacher (2014-present)

Academics

The university is divided into three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Natural Resources and Sciences; and the College of Professional Studies. There are 48 undergraduate majors and 69 minors. The two largest majors are Biology and Art, both with over 20 faculty members and extensive facilities on- and off-campus. This CSU campus offers a Wildlife undergraduate degree. There are several credential programs and twelve Master's programs, of which Natural Resources and Social Work are the largest. The new Energy, Environment, and Society graduate program is unique to the CSU, and provides graduates with interdisciplinary training in Engineering, economics, and climate policy.

The University Library supports students and faculty from all three academic colleges. Beginning in 2015, the Library launched HSU Press to showcase research and scholarship across the campus. On campus, a popular major is Forestry. The Forestry department building's walls are completely paneled with different species of wood. The building was rebuilt in October 1980 after the original building was burned down. The original building only stood for 17 years before an arsonist, whose identity is still unknown today, set the building on fire in 1979.

Humboldt State is one of only two universities in California to offer a major in botany, the other is California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Its botany program is the nation’s largest undergraduate program. Humboldt State is the only university in California to offer a degree in rangeland resources and wildland soil science. The Native American Studies major and the Oceanography major are also unique to the California State University system. The university offers unique minors including multicultural queer studies, scientific diving, and appropriate technology.

The university's location on the North Coast provides access to the Pacific Ocean, lagoons, marshes, estuaries, and the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory, which provides opportunities for "hands-on" experiences and research for the sciences. The Marine Lab was opened in 1966, the lab is open during the academic school year (mid August-mid May).

Humboldt State University is one of the few universities in the nation with a state-of-the-art fire lab. Its fire science program teaches modern techniques for managing wildfire, and an advanced training program is offered for Forest Service employees and similar professionals.

As of 2012, Humboldt State University has an International student population that has quadrupled in the last five years. The International English Language Institute has worked alongside HSU for 22 years to help international students gain academic English language skills to further their academic pursuits and business careers.

The College of eLearning, & Extended Ed (CEEE) is a self-supporting outreach department of Humboldt State University that provides a variety of academic, professional development and personal enrichment opportunities. While the CEEE programs are open to almost everyone, there is an emphasis on providing access to those community members who are not matriculated students at the university. Non-matriculated students may take some regular university courses through the CEEE Open University program. High school students may take regular HSU courses through the CEEE High School Concurrent Enrollment Program. Also, those aged 60 and over may take regular HSU classes through the Over 60 Program. There are also a variety of online degree programs offered through the college. The CEEE also offers a wide range of diverse and eclectic programs. Examples include music and art programs for children, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for those aged 50 and over, foreign language classes, travel-study programs, continuing education for teachers, MFT/LCSW, nurses, and law enforcement.

In 1998 Humboldt State University opened the HSU First Street Gallery in Old Town Eureka, expanding community access to the university’s cultural and fine arts programs. In 2007, the university further expanded its presence in Eureka with the opening of the HSU Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, a $4.5 million aquatic facility on the bay in Old Town Eureka. Future plans include a new HSU Bay and Estuarine Studies Center. This new facility will be closer to the Coral Sea (in 2012 docked at Woodley Island, Eureka), the only vessel in a U.S. educational institution solely dedicated to undergraduate research. The new facility would be considerably larger than the other existing facility, the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory in Trinidad, 20 miles (32 km) north.

Humboldt State University Professor Steve Sillett has conducted groundbreaking research on redwood forest canopies and was featured in a 2009 cover story in National Geographic. He holds the Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology, the only endowed chair in the world dedicated to a single tree species.

Statistics

Student demographics (fall 2015)

Ranking

Student life

The Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) is unique to the CSU, and uses student fee money to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus. HEIF provides a rare opportunity for students, faculty, and plant operations staff to work together collaboratively towards a goal of a lower-carbon and energy-independent future. Compost and recycling bins are more common on campus than trash cans and many events are encouraged to be zero waste, all coordinated through the student-run Waste Reduction and Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP). The Associated Students fund WRRAP, the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, and the Sustainable Living Arts and Music Festival (SLAM fest).

Humboldt State University built the first building in the CSU system to be LEED-gold certified for its eco-friendly features. The Behavioral and Social Sciences Building has rainwater collection, sustainably harvested wood native-plant landscaping, and more.

The location of HSU affords students the potential for outside activities in local parks and public lands, which include miles of accessible, undeveloped coastline. Rivers and streams, forests, and extraordinary terrain are just outside the classroom door.

There are over 200 clubs on campus that students can join. Clubs on campus include a variety of options that range from social interests, academic, Greek life and sports.

Student media

The Lumberjack is the weekly student-run newspaper of Humboldt State University and is funded through the sales of advertisements supplemented by the Instructionally Related Activities fee. It covers news relevant to the students and faculty of Humboldt State and major news relevant to the residents of Humboldt County. This includes coverage of university issues, protests, rallies, athletics, the local music scene, and sometimes, quirky events from the local police log. Stories of statewide significance, especially those that concern CSU students, are sometimes reported on as well. In 2010, the Lumberjack won second place for Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper at a 4-Year College or University, and second place breaking news photo from the Society of Professional Journalists. To be on the Lumberjack, students must enroll in JMC 327: The Newspaper Lab.

The university also has a monthly student-run newspaper, El Leñador, which is bilingual and produced by students with minority backgrounds. It is a newspaper committed to promoting diversity in local media. El Leñador was named top non-weekly newspaper in the state. El Leñador received first place in competing against other monthly and bi-weekly papers from four- and two-year colleges and universities across California.

The Osprey is the university's student-run magazine, published twice annually. It has won first-place awards in major regional competitions, including the Society of Professional Journalists' "Mark of Excellence" Awards and the California Intercollegiate Press Association awards.

KRFH 105.1 FM/KRFH.net is a student-run radio station founded in 1990 by Dr. Gary Melton. KRFH stands for "Radio Free Humboldt" and was originally only received in the Sunset and Redwood Residence Halls but now can be received worldwide on iTunes, RadioFlag or at the website KRFH.net. KRFH's purpose is to provide broadcast experience to students while also approximating the structure of a commercial radio station. Students enroll in JMC 155 or JMC 355 in order to become DJs, committing to weekly shows of one to two hours respectively.

Greek life

Marching Lumberjacks

The HSU Marching Lumberjacks (sometimes referred to as the "Banned") is the official student-run marching band of the university. It performs in the scatter band style often associated with Ivy League schools, using humorous routines and scripts during its half-time field shows in Redwood Bowl.

Athletics

The Lumberjacks’ program is affiliated with the NCAA on the Division II level and is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State currently sponsors 12 intercollegiate sports programs — men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball, track & field, women's volleyball, softball, rowing, and men's football (in which it competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference). Humboldt State also has a Logging Sports team that travels to tournaments every semester.

The track and field team at HSU was reestablished in 2007. Every year there is a Green and Gold home track meet among the team.

Humboldt State University Club Baseball team plays in the National Club Baseball Association, Southern Pacific Conference, North Region and play Universities from all over Northern California and the Bay Area.

On-campus housing

On-Campus Housing consists of 6 living areas; The Hill, Cypress, Canyon, Creekview, College Creek and Campus Apartments. The north side of campus is consistent of The Hill, Cypress, The Canyon, and Creekview, which are considered primarily for first year traditional residents. The southside of campus, College Creek and Campus Apartments are placed for second year students, and non-traditional residents. College Creek consists of four three-level housing complexes separate. Each living area are monitored by Community Advocates, who are students which are employed by HSU housing and receive free housing if hired.

Klamath Connection Program

The Klamath River is the focus of the Klamath Connection, which is designed to help freshmen learn important skills for future science careers.

Y.E.S. House

The Y.E.S. House (Youth Educational Services) is programs created by students and led by students volunteer programs. The Y.E.S. House serves the communities needs. There are currently running 17 programs. Students can volunteer for these programs and also have the ability to become directors as well.

Centers and Institutes

Centers & Institutes affiliate with an association of individuals, faculty, staff and others, who may wish to encourage or pursue activities, including research and creative activities, that are consistent with the mission of the University. The following policy and procedures provide for the recognition and chartering of such Centers/Institutes.

Alumni

Faculty