California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico

Former names	Northern Branch State Normal School of California (1887–1921) Chico State Teachers College (1921–35) Chico State College (1935–72)
Motto	Ars Probat Artificem (Latin)
Motto in English	"Art is the test of the artisan."
Type	Public
Established	1887
Endowment	$53.9 million (2016)
President	Gayle Hutchinson
Provost	Michael Ward
Academic staff	945 (Fall 2014)
Administrative staff	983 (Fall 2014)
Students	17,557 (Fall 2016)
Undergraduates	16,448 (Fall 2016)
Postgraduates	1,109 (Fall 2016)
Location	Chico, California, U.S.
Campus	Rural Central Campus: 119 acres (48 ha) Total: 1,159 acres (469 ha)
Colors	Cardinal and white
Athletics	NCAA Division II – CCAA
Nickname	Wildcats
Mascot	Willie the Wildcat
Affiliations	California State University system Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Website	csuchico.edu

California State University, Chico (also known as CSU Chico or Chico State), is the second-oldest campus in the 23-campus California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento. As of the Fall 2016 semester, the university had a total enrollment of 17,557 students. The university offers 126 types of bachelor's degrees, 35 types of master's degrees, and four types of teaching credentials. The university does not confer doctoral degrees.

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. On June 24, 1887, General John Bidwell donated 8 acres (3.2 ha) of land from his cherry orchard. Then 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 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. 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, Bidwell Hall. 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 1925 the alumni organization was founded. In 1927 a fire destroyed the Normal Building. That same year 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 1929 the student bookstore was established.