General Information

Overview

Welcome to the California State University (CSU) - the nation’s largest comprehensive university with 23 unique campuses serving approximately 482,000 students and employing more than 53,000 faculty and staff.

Each year, the university awards more than 127,000 degrees. CSU graduates are serving as leaders in the industries that drive California’s economy, including business, agriculture, entertainment, engineering, teaching, hospitality, and healthcare. Learn more at www.calstate.edu.

A Tradition of Excellence for More than Six Decades

Since 1961, the CSU has provided an affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to more than 3.7 million graduates throughout California. While each campus is unique based on its curricular specialties, location, and campus culture, every CSU is distinguished for the quality of its educational programs. All campuses are fully accredited, provide a high-quality broad liberal educational program, and offer opportunities for students to engage in campus life through the Associated Students, Inc., clubs, and service learning. Through leading-edge programs, superior teaching and extensive workforce training opportunities, CSU students graduate with the critical thinking skills, industry knowledge, and hands-on experience necessary for employment and career advancement.

Facts

• Today, one of every 20 Americans with a college degree is a CSU graduate.
• 1 of every 10 employees in California is a CSU graduate.
• The CSU awards about half of the bachelor’s degrees earned in California.
• The CSU awards 41% of California’s nursing degrees.
• The CSU is the leading provider of teacher preparation programs in the state.
• In 2018-19, the CSU awarded nearly 20,000 business degrees and more than 67,000 engineering degrees.
• The CSU offers more than 140 fully online and 120 hybrid degree programs and concentrations.
• The CSU offers 4,750 online courses per term, providing more educational options to students who may prefer an online format to a traditional classroom setting.
• The CSU’s online concurrent enrollment program gives students the ability to enroll in courses offered by other campuses in the CSU.
• Over a recent four year period, the CSU has issued nearly 50,000 professional development certificates in education, health services, business and technology, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, international trade, and many other industries.
• CSU Centers for Community Engagement and Service Learning make available more than 3,100 service learning courses.
• More than 67,000 students participate in service-learning, contributing more than 1.1 million hours of service each year.
• For every $1 that the state invests in the CSU, the University generates $5.43 for California’s Economy.

Governance

The CSU is governed by the Board of Trustees, most of whom are appointed by the governor and serve with faculty and student representatives. The CSU Chancellor is the chief executive officer, reporting to the Board. The campus presidents serve as the campus-level chief executive officers. The Trustees, Chancellor, and Presidents develop university-wide educational policy. The presidents, in consultation with the CSU Academic Senate and other campus stakeholder groups, render and implement local policy decisions.

CSU Historical Milestones

The individual California State Colleges were established as a system with a Board of Trustees and a chancellor in 1960 by the Donahoe Higher Education Act. In 1972, the system was designated as the California State University and Colleges, and in 1982 the system became the California State University. Today, the CSU is comprised of 23 campuses, including comprehensive and polytechnic universities and, since July 1995, the California State University Maritime Academy, a specialized campus.

The oldest campus-San José State University-was founded in 1857 and became the first institution of public higher education in California. The newest-California State University Channel Islands-opened in fall 2002, with freshmen arriving in fall 2003.

In 1963, the Academic Senate CSU was established to act as the official voice of CSU faculty in university-wide matters. Also, the California State College Student Presidents Association-which was later renamed the California State Student Association-was founded to represent each campus student association on issues affecting students.

Through its many decades of service, the CSU has continued to adapt to address societal changes, student needs, and workforce trends. While the CSU’s core mission has always focused on providing high-quality, affordable bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, over time the University has added a wide range of services and programs to support student success - from adding health centers and special programs for veterans to building student residential facilities to provide a comprehensive educational experience.

To improve degree completion and accommodate students working full- or part-time, the educational paradigm was expanded to give students the ability to complete upper-division and graduate requirements through part-time, late afternoon, and evening study. The University also expanded its programs to include a variety of teaching and school service credential programs, specially designed for working professionals.

In 2010, in an effort to accommodate community college transfer students, the CSU, in concert with the California Community Colleges (CCC), launched the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which guarantees CCC transfer students with an ADT admission to the CSU with junior status. The ADT has since proven to be the most effective path to a CSU for transfer students.

Always adapting to changes in technology and societal trends to support student learning and degree completion, the CSU launched CourseMatch, which enables CSU students to complete online courses at other CSU campuses, expanding enrollment opportunities and providing more educational opportunities for students who may prefer an online format to a traditional classroom setting.

The CSU marked a significant educational milestone when it broadened its degree offerings to include doctoral degrees.  The CSU indepenently offers Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and Doctor of Nursing Practices (DNP) degree programs.  Additionally, the CSU was recently authorized to offer the independent Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD).  A limited number of other doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and private institutions in California.

The CSU strives to continually develop innovative programs, services, and opportunities that will give students the tools they need to meet their full potential.  In 2016, the university launched Graduation Initiative 2025, a bold plan to support students, increase the number of California’s graduates earning high-quality degrees and eliminate achievement and equity gaps for all students.  Through this initiative, the CSU is ensuring that all students have the opportunity to graduate according to their personal goals, positively impacting their lives, families, and communities.

By providing an accessible, hands-on education that prepares graduates for career success, the CSU has created a network of alumni that is so extensive and renowned that it spans across the globe. As of 2019-20, more than 3.8 million alumni are making a difference in the lives of the people of California and the world.

Trustees

Ex Officio Trustees

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California

The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis
Lieutenant Governor of California

The Honorable Anthony Rendon
Speaker of the Assembly

The Honorable Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dr. Timothy P. White
Chancellor of the California State University

Officers of the Trustees

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
President

Adam Day
Chair

Lillian Kimbell
Vice Chair

Andrew Jones
Secretary

Steve Relyea
Treasurer

Appointed Trustees

Appointments are for a term of eight years, except student, alumni, and faculty trustees whose terms are for two years. Terms expire in the year in parentheses. Names are listed alphabetically.

Silas Abrego (2021)

Jane W. Carney (2022)

Rebecca D. Eisen (2020)

Debra S. Farar (2022)

Wendy Fong (2024)

Maryana Khames (2021)

Jeffrey Krinsk (2027)

Hugo N. Morlaes (2020)

Lateefah Simon (2019)

Peter J. Taylor (2021)

Larry L. Adamson (2020)

Adam Day (2023)

Douglas Faigin (2025)

Jean P. Firstenberg (2018)

Juan Garcia (2020)

Lilian Kimbell (2024)

John “Jack” McGrory (2023)

Romey Sabalius (2019)

Christopher J. Steinhauser (2026)

Correspondence

Correspondence with Trustees should be sent to:

c/o Trustees Secretariat
The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, California  90802-4210

Office of the Chancellor

The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, California  90802-4210
(562) 951-4000

Dr. Timothy P. White ~ Chancellor, CSU System

Mr. Steve Relyea ~ Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Loren J. Blanchard ~ Executive Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs

Mr. Andrew Jones ~ Executive Vice Chancellor, General Counsel

Mr. Garrett P. Ashley ~ Executive Vice Chancellor, University Relations and Advancement

Ms. Evelyn Nazario ~ Vice Chancellor, Human Resources

Mr. Larry Mandel ~ Vice Chancellor and Chief University Auditor

Campuses

California State University, Bakersfield
Dr. Lynette Zelezny, President
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA  93311-1022
Phone: 661-654-2782

California State University, Channel Islands
Dr. Erika D. Beck, President
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA  93012
Phone: 805-437-8400

California State University, Chico
Dr. Gayle E. Hutchinson, President
400 West First Street
Chico, CA  95929
Phone: 530-898-4636

California State University, Dominguez Hills
Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President
1000 East Victoria Street
Carson, CA  90747
Phone: 310-243-3696

California State University, East Bay
Dr. Leroy M. Morishita, President
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA  94542
Phone: 510-885-3000

California State University, Fresno
Dr. Joseph I. Castro, President
5241 North Maple Avenue
Fresno, CA  93740
Phone: 559-278-4240

California State University, Fullerton
Mr. Framroze Virjee, President
800 N State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA  92831-3599
Phone: 657-278-2011

Humboldt State University
Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., President
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA  95521-8299
Phone: 707-826-3011

California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA  90840-0115
Phone: 562-985-4111

California State University, Los Angeles
Dr. William A. Covino, President
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA  90032
Phone: 323-343-3000

California Maritime Academy
Rear Admiral Thomas A. Cropper, President
200 Maritime Academy Drive
Vallejo, CA  94590
Phone: 707-654-1000

California State University, Monterey Bay
Dr. Eduardo M. Ochoa, President
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955-8001
Phone: 831-582-3000

California State University, Northridge
Dr. Dianne F. Harrison, President
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA  91330
Phone: 818-677-1200

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Dr. Soraya M. Coley, President
3801 W. Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA  91768
Phone: 909-869-7659

California State University, Sacramento
Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, President
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA  95819
Phone: 916-278-6011

California State University, San Bernardino
Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA  92407-2318
Phone: 909-537-5000

San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
Dr. Adela de la Torre, President
San Diego, CA  92182
Phone: 619-594-5200

San Francisco State University
Dr. Lynn Mahoney, President
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA  94132
Phone: 415-338-1111

San José State University
Dr. Mary A. Papzian, President
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA  95192-0001
Phone: 408-924-1000

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Dr. Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President
One Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA  93407
Phone: 805-756-1111

California State University, San Marcos
Dr. Ellen J. Neufeldt, President
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA  92096-0001
Phone: 760-750-4000

Sonoma State University
Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, President
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA   94928
Phone: 707-664-2880

California State University, Stanislaus
Dr. Ellen N. Junn, President
One University Circle
Turlock, CA  95382
Phone: 209-667-3122

Map

Funding

Average Support Cost per Full-time Equivalent Student and Sources of Funds

The total support cost per full-time equivalent student (FTES) includes the expenditures for current operations, including payments made to students in the form of financial aid, and all fully reimbursed programs contained in state appropriations. The average support cost is determined by dividing the total cost by the number of FTES. The total CSU 2019/20 budget amounts were $3,982,552,000 from state General Fund (GF) appropriations and before adding $39.3 million CalPERS retirement adjustment, $2,499,138,000 from gross tuition revenue, and $656,748,000 from other fee revenues for a total of $7,138,439,000. The 2019/20 resident FTES target is 374,131 and the non-resident FTES based on past-year actual is 24,026 for a total of 398,157 FTES. The GF appropriation is applicable to resident students only whereas fee revenues are collected from resident and nonresident students. FTES is determined by dividing the total academic student load (e.g., 15 units per semester) (the figure used here to define a full-time student’s academic load).

*Represents state GF appropriation in the Budget Act of 2019/20; GF is divisible by resident students only (374,131 FTES).

**Represents CSU Operating Fund, gross tuition, and other fees revenue amounts (net of tuition fee discounts) submitted in campus August 2019/20 final budgets. Revenues are divisible by resident and nonresident students (398,157 FTES).

The 2019/20 average support cost per FTES based on GF appropriation and net tuition fee revenue only is $16,922 and when including all three sources as indicated below is $18,571, which includes all fee revenue (e.g., tuition fees, application fees, and other campus mandatory fees) in the CSU Operating Fund.  Of this amount, the average net tuition and other fee revenue per FTES is $7,926.

The average CSU 201-/20 academic year, resident, undergraduate student basic tuition and other mandatory fees required to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university is $7,337 ($5,742 tuition fee plus $1,595 average campus-based fees).  However, the costs paid by individual students will vary depending on campus, program, and whether a student is part-time, full-time, resident, or nonresident.

CSUMB Administration

CSUMB operates under the direction of a president appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees as the chief executive officer of the campus. The president develops campus policy through broadly based consultative procedures that include students, faculty, staff, and administrators in decision making. The CSUMB Academic Senate and its Academic Senate Executive Committee, made up of elected representatives of the faculty, recommend academic policy to the president through a shared-governance process.

The university divides its operations into administrative divisions, each under the direction of a vice president.

President

Eduardo M. Ochoa grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before moving to Portland, Ore., with his family while in high school. He has earned degrees in physics, nuclear science and economics from Reed College, Columbia University and the New School for Social Research, respectively. In mid-career, his plans to return to work in his Argentinian homeland were sidetracked by a military coup. He has worked as an engineer, as an academic faculty member and administrator, and, most recently, as assistant secretary for postsecondary education in the Obama Administration.

Now, he brings that wide range of academic, professional and personal experience to a new opportunity, as president of California State University, Monterey Bay.

“I am honored and excited to return to the California State University, and to have been selected to lead the Monterey Bay campus,” said Dr. Ochoa. “The campus ideals of diversity, sustainability and community embody the values of Monterey Bay, and its focus on innovation reflect the spirit of California. I look forward to working together with faculty, students and staff as we build on the university’s excellent accomplishments and reputation.”

He attended bilingual schools in the Buenos Aires through his sophomore year in high school before immigrating with his family to Portland, Ore., where his father, a biochemist, had been hired to run the clinical lab at Portland’s Good Samaritan Hospital.

Dr. Ochoa earned his bachelor’s degree in physics, with a minor in philosophy, from Reed College in 1973. Three years later, he finished his master’s at Columbia University in New York in nuclear science and engineering just after Isabel Perón’s government had been overthrown by a military coup. His original plan to return to Argentina and work for the National Atomic Energy Commission had to be put aside.

After working for three years as an assistant and associate engineer in New York, Dr. Ochoa began his Ph.D. in economics at the New School for Social Research, where his thesis on labor values and the prices of production during the postwar period won the Edith Hansen award for an outstanding dissertation in economics and political science.

Dr. Ochoa taught at Fresno State University and at California State University, Los Angeles, where he was a full professor and chair of the economics and statistics department. He also led the university’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and served as acting dean of its School of Business and Economics.

In 1997, he was hired as the dean of Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Business Administration, where he served for six years.

He then became provost and vice president for academic affairs at Sonoma State University. During his tenure-in addition to overall responsibility for the university’s academic programs-he oversaw campus-wide strategic planning and diversity efforts. The Academic Affairs Division has five schools, 600 faculty members, and 8,900 students, with an annual budget of $50 million.

President Barack Obama named Dr. Ochoa assistant secretary for postsecondary education in February, 2010. In that post, he served as the secretary’s chief advisor on higher-education issues and administered more than 60 programs totaling nearly $3 billion annually that are designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. Among the notable programs overseen by the ED’s Office of Postsecondary Education are the eight TRIO programs, institutional development programs for minority institutions, teacher development programs, and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. OPE runs the well-known Byrd, Fulbright, Javits and McNair programs and certifies all regional and national accreditation agencies, so they, in turn, may qualify institutions to receive federal financial aid and Pell grants.

President Ochoa’s wife Holly is an historian, writer, and editor. They have two sons.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

As Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Katherine Kantardjieff provides central and academic leadership with primary responsibility to plan, develop, and administer all aspects of the university’s programs, activities, personnel, and budget in the support of students and student learning.

Prior to joining CSUMB, Dr. Kantardjieff served for nine years as the founding dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at California State University San Marcos. She has held academic appointments as Professor and Chair of Chemistry at California State Polytechnic University Pomona and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California State University Fullerton. Dr. Kantardjieff has served in leadership positions with the California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology, the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology, and the United States National Committee for Crystallography.

Dr. Kantardjieff received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Southern California and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles. She was the recipient of the San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Award and the Athena Pinnacle Award for Individual in Education.

VP Student Affairs & Enrollment Services

Dr. Ronnie Higgs came to CSU Monterey Bay from Ferris State University in Michigan, where he served as the assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Enrollment Services for seven years. In that position, he oversaw all areas of enrollment management, financial aid and NCAA compliance.

He joined CSUMB in February 2007 as the associate vice president for Student Affairs. In June 2010, he was named vice president for Student Affairs and associate vice president for Enrollment Services. In this position he oversees all areas of Student Affairs which includes: Residential Life, Personal Growth and Counseling Center, Campus Health Center, Student Disability Resources, Judicial Affairs, Athletics and Student Activities; in his role as associate VP of Enrollment Services he oversees: Admissions, Academic and Centralized Scheduling, the Campus Service Center, Career Development, the Center for Student Success, Early Outreach and Support Programs, Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, Student Information Systems and the Undergraduate Advising Center.

Dr. Higgs holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, and a Master’s in Education from Ferris State University. He has served on various boards and committees, both nationally and regionally, and is currently serving on the board for the Center for Community Advocacy in Monterey County. He also has officiated NCAA Division I basketball for 12 years and is currently a local high school football official.

VP Administration & Finance

Kevin Saunders was appointed Vice President of Administration and Finance in 2010. Mr. Saunders serves as the Chief Financial Officer for CSU Monterey Bay and directs a wide range of campus departments that provide essential services to students, faculty, staff and the external community. He has direct oversight of finance, facility maintenance operations, campus planning and construction, and public safety.

In addition to his role as vice president, Mr. Saunders is the Executive Director of the University Corporation at Monterey Bay, a position he has held since 2003. In that role he is responsible for faculty/staff housing, student housing, commercial services, grants and contracts post award administration, conference and events, and KAZU radio station. Prior, he served as Director of Entrepreneurial Activities from 1996 to 2003.

Before coming to CSU Monterey Bay, Mr. Saunders was with Marriott International for 13 years in their Corporate Services Division. A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts, Mr. Saunders continues to serve on numerous boards and committees for the CSU and for the external community, and is currently on the board of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce.

VP University Advancement

As the Vice President for University Advancement, Barbara Zappas oversees the university’s fundraising, marketing, and communication efforts as well as the Foundation of CSU Monterey Bay.

She has previously served as the Assistant Vice President for University Advancement.

Prior to joining the University in early 2012, she served as assistant dean for external relations at the law school of Lewis & Clark College. Earlier, she had been a senior vice president at Oregon’s Legacy Health System.

Barbara holds a master of public health degree from Yale University and completed her undergraduate bachelor of arts at the University of California, Berkeley.

Other Information

Information concerning the cost of attending CSUMB is available online.  This page includes tuition and fees; the estimated cost of books and supplies; estimages of typical student room, board, and transportation costs; and, if requested, additional costs of specific programs.  You can also use the Cost of Attendance Caluculator to estimate your costs.

Information concerning the refund policies of CSUMB for the return of unearned tuition and fees and other refundable portions of institutional charges is available online.

Information concerning policies regarding the return of Title 4 student assistance funds as required by regulation is available from:

Angeles Fuentes
Student Services Building, 3rd Floor
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone:  831-582-5100

Information regarding special facilities and services available to students with disabilities may be obtained from:

Margaret Keith, Director Student Disability Resources
health & Wellness Services, Room 110
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone:  831-582-4369

Information concerning CSUMB policies, procedures, and facilities for students to report criminal actions and other emergencis occuring on campus may be obtained from:

University Police Department
Valley Hall
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone:  831-655-0268

Information concerning CSUMB’s annual campus security report and annual fire safety report may be obtained from:

Shanieka Jones, Clery Director
Student Services Building, Suite 201
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3154

Information concerning the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse and rehabilitation programs may be obtained from:

Ana Hernandez, Director Health & Wellness Services
Personal Growth & Counseling Center
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3969

Information regarding student retention and graduation rates at CSUMB and, if available, the number and percentage of students completing the program in which the student is enrolled or has expressed interest may be obtained from:

Veronica Chukwuemeka, Director Institutional Assessment & Research
Green Hall, Room 134
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3508

Information concerning athletic opportunities available to male and female students and the financial resources and personnel that CSUMB dedicates to its men and women’s teams may be obtained from:

Kirby Garry, Director Athletics
Mountain Hall Suite F
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3051

Information concerning teacher preparation programs at CSUMB, including the pass rate on teacher certification examinations, may be obtained from:

Christy Hanselka, Credential Analyst
Del Mar Room 119
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3638

Information concerning grievance procedures for students who feel aggrieved in their relationships with the university, its policies, practices and procedures, or its faculty and staff may be obtained from:

Idonas Hughes, Student Conduct Administrator
Student Center Room 132
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-4597

Information concerning student activities that CSUMB provides are can be found on the website. You may also contact the Student Activities & Leadership Development Office at: 831-582-4686

Information concerning student body diversity at CSUMB, including the percentage of enrolled, full-time students who are (1) male, (2) female, (3) Pell Grant recipients, and (4) self-identified members of a specific racial or ethnic group, must be obtained from:

Veronica Chukwuemeka, Director Institutional Assessment & Research
Green Hall, Room 134
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955
Phone: 831-582-3508

CSUMB Extension Sites 2020-2019

In order to better support the needs of our surrounding communities as well as our growing academic offerings, CSUMB utilizes the following extension sites in the delivery of some academic programs and a variety of courses:

CSUMB at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
8272 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA  95039

CSUMB at North Main/Salinas
1450 N. Main Street
Salinas, CA  93906

CSUMB at City-Center
1 Main Street
Salinas, CA  93901

CSUMB at King City
117 N. Second Street
King City, CA  93930