California State University, Chico (Chico State^[8]) 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. ^[10] 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).

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.^[11] 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.

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

In 1975, broadcasts of classes through closed circuit TV 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.^[13]

In 1987, Chico State was ranked as the top party school in the nation by Playboy.^[14]

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.^[15] 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.^[16]

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.^[17]

The university has more than 75 departments^[18] and offers more than 150 undergraduate degrees.^[19] 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.^[20]

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]

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.

• Men's Team (6)
  • Baseball (2): 1997, 1999
  • Golf (1): 1966
  • Swimming and diving (3): 1973, 1974, 1976

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]

• 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