Topics Covered in this section:

Accreditation The California State University California State University, Fullerton Instructional Programs Mission and Goals Statement Off-Site Locations

Organization of the University State-Supported Summer Instruction University Policy Statements

Accreditation

California State University, Fullerton is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) which is one of the six regional accrediting associations covering the United States. Its purpose is continual review and improvement of education and cooperation among educational institutions and agencies.

As part of maintaining its accreditation, the University is required to conduct a comprehensive self-evaluation every eight years and develop a self-study report that is based on specific standards established by WASC. Commission standards define normative expectations and characteristics of excellence. An accrediting evaluation committee (visiting team) is formed by WASC to review the self-study and conduct an on-site evaluation visit. The committee prepares a report which cites and evaluates the evidence which the institution has presented in support of its re-accreditation review.
An interim report is required after the fourth year in each eight-year review cycle. This report is not a self-study, but rather a planning document that reflects the changes that have occurred during the previous four years and the directions for development for the next four years.

The accreditation process serves both external and internal purposes. It provides an opportunity within the institutional community for broad-based deliberation on the current state of the institution, its success in fulfilling its mission, its areas of special strength and those areas in need of improvement, as well as the direction for development in the years ahead.

A number of programs also are accredited by national and other discipline-specific agencies. A list of these programs is provided in the CSUF Catalog.

The California State University

The Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960 brought the individual California State Colleges together as a system.

In 1972, the system became The California State University and Colleges, and in 1982 the system became The California State University Today, 23 campuses have the title "California State University"; the 23rd is California State University, Channel Islands.

Responsibility for The California State University is vested in the Board of Trustees consisting of ex officio members, alumni, student, and faculty representatives, and members appointed by the governor. The Trustees appoint the Chancellor, who is the chief executive officer of the system, and the Presidents, who are the chief executive officers of the respective campuses.

The Trustees, the Chancellor, and the Presidents develop systemwide policy, with implementation on the campuses taking place through broadly based consultative procedures. The Academic Senate of the California State University, made up of elected representatives of the faculty from each campus, recommends academic policy to the Board of Trustees through the Chancellor.

California State University, Fullerton

California State University, 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 in June 1972. Over the years, it has developed into a nationally renowned university with approximately 3,400 full- and part-time faculty and staff providing service to over 27,000 students.
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 bachelors degrees in 47 disciplines and graduate degrees in 44 programs plus a variety of credential and certificate programs.

California State University, Fullerton has one goal: to become the best public comprehensive university in the country.

Instructional programs

Instructional programs are conducted in the university's eight colleges:

• College of the Arts
• College of Business and Economics
  
• College of Communications
  
• College of Education
• College of Engineering and Computer Science
  
• College of Health and Human Development
  
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Mission and Goals Statement
Learning is preeminent at California State University, Fullerton. We aspire to combine the best qualities of teaching and research universities where actively engaged students, faculty, and staff work in close collaboration to expand knowledge.

Our affordable undergraduate and graduate programs provide students the best of current practice, theory, and research and integrate professional studies with preparation in the arts and sciences. Through experiences in and out of the classroom, students develop the habit of intellectual inquiry, prepare for challenging professions, strengthen relationships to their communities and contribute productively to society.

We are a comprehensive, regional university with a global outlook, located in Orange County, a technologically rich and culturally vibrant area of metropolitan Los Angeles. Our expertise and diversity serve as a distinctive resource and catalyst for partnerships with public and private organizations. We strive to be a center of activity essential to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our region.

Goals

Organization of the university

The university is currently organized into six divisions administered and managed by the President and vice presidents, as division heads. Information about each division and its components can be found at

The Office of the President Academic Affairs Administration and Finance Executive Vice President Information Technology Student Affairs University Advancement

Off-Site Locations

CSUF Garden Grove Center
Certificate programs and specialized courses are offered in this state-of-the art learning environment in the heart of Orange County. The CSUF Garden Grove Center is located at 12901 Euclid Street and can be easily accessed via Euclid Street and the Garden Grove Freeway (22). Known as the Higher Education Center to many, the facility is a partnership between Coastline Community College and the city of Garden Grove as part of the plan to revitalize the downtown area. University Extended Education’s facilities on the first and second floors include 6 large classrooms to accommodate up to 30 students each, 2 computer labs, and 2 small classrooms. For added convenience, there is also an onsite registration area.

CSUF Grand Central Art Center
In the fall of 1999, University Extended Education opened a classroom site in the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center. This beautiful newly renovated facility celebrating the arts is a unique combination of classrooms, artist living space, studios, gallery exhibition space, printmaking studio, a resident repertory theater, a sales/rental gallery, and a restaurant. The block-long building is located in the heart of the Santa Ana Artists’ Village a few blocks south of the Civic Center at 125 North Broadway. This exceptional environment provides a perfect setting for the arts related classes offered by University Extended Education in the center's two classrooms and state-of-the-art computer lab.

MBA at the Spectrum
The MBA at the Spectrum is designed expressly for students who work or live near the Spectrum, a large commercial development near the juncture of the I-5 and I-405 freeways. The curriculum and faculty are essentially the same as for the MBA programs at the CSUF main campus in Fullerton. The program is taught at sites within or near the Spectrum. Courses are taught in the evening hours and meet twice a week for a 6-8 week term. The entire program takes about two to two and a half years to complete, depending on the program needs of the students. Two programs are available—the Spectrum Generalist and the Spectrum Specialist.

California State University, Fullerton, Irvine Campus
To serve the needs of the student population in central and southern Orange County, California State University, Fullerton has developed a branch campus on a section of the former El Toro Marine air station. Upper division and graduate level courses are offered at this location. The over 30 majors and credential programs offered are identical to those at the main campus in Fullerton. In order to register for courses at this location, a student must be matriculated at CSU, Fullerton. Faculty may be assigned to either campus location.

The Fullerton Arboretum
The Fullerton Arboretum, developed in cooperation with the city of Fullerton, is located on the northeast corner of the campus and is open daily to the public. This 26-acre botanical garden, with its ponds, streams and wildlife, is a living museum of rare plants from around the world. Since its opening in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum has served the community as a resource for ecological, horticultural, and historical education. It has also been a source of ideas for successful southern California gardens. Heritage House, an 1893 Eastlake Victorian Cottage nestled in the middle of the garden, is a charming example of turn-of-the-century family life and medical practice.

State-Supported Summer Instruction

Often in the vernacular this becomes "Year-Round Operation" or "YRO," but in fact Cal State Fullerton has long been a busy campus in June, July and August.  Traditional summer programs have included fee-based instruction, offered through Extended Education, and student-oriented campus activities including New Student Orientation, "Summer Bridge," and many others.
Because of the increasing demand for higher education, state policy makers and California State University system leaders have asked that campuses plan vigorously for and begin to implement instruction in the summer that is priced at the rate charged to students in Fall or Spring semesters, and that is targeted at high community need programs.  In the summer of 2000, Cal State Fullerton began offering a small, first-ever such program of instruction, focused very largely on teacher education programs.  Plans for future summer instruction will develop in accord with state and CSU system priorities.

university policy statements

The President is responsible for the establishment of University policy and does so in consultation with the Academic Senate. After a document has been recommended by the Academic Senate and approved by the President, it becomes a university policy. Approved documents are published as University Policy Statements (UPS) or are incorporated into the University Catalog. For specific UPS documents, consult with the Academic Senate Office (located in McCarthy Hall, room 143), (714) 278-3683 or visit their website at http://www.fullerton.edu/senate.

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