C A L I F O R N I A   S T A T E   U N I V E R S I T Y   B A K E R S F I E L D 2001-2003 Catalog

It is especially fitting that California State University, Bakersfield the 19th member institution of The California State University, was created out of the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. A staunch advocate and friend of public education, Dorothy Donahoe represented the residents of Bakersfield and Kern County in the California State Assembly for many years. During that same period, community leaders from Bakersfield and throughout Kern County sought to bring higher education to the area. That community-wide grassroots effort bore fruit in 1970.

The university’s growth has kept pace with the community, as Bakersfield has become one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the state. Thus, its role as the only four-year institution within a 100-mile radius becomes even more significant as it extends higher education opportunities to this increasingly important economic and social center.

The university is committed to the goals of a liberal education—to promote the individual intellectual and personal growth of its students and to contribute to the community by developing in its students a sense of civic purpose and service.

California State University, Bakersfield strives for excellence in its four academic schools—Education, Business and Public Administration, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering—which share in a common general education program which emphasizes development of intellectual skills and a liberal arts foundation.

At the core of the university’s academic structure, the School of Education prepares teachers and provides state credential and post-baccalaureate programs for educators in its service area. The School of Business and Public Administration provides management training for students preparing to enter organizations in both the private and public sectors. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers general education and majors programs in all but a few of the traditional disciplines. The School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering.

California State University, Bakersfield is distinguished by an outstanding faculty and excellent academic programs and by the extraordinary accessibility of the faculty to students. Small classes and close interaction between students and faculty enhance the learning environment and experience for all of our students. More than 90 percent of the tenured faculty hold doctorate degrees in their fields of study.

The university is located on a 375 acre site that was donated from the private sector, a remarkable demonstration of the community’s commitment to and support for the institution. The campus is an oasis on the growing western edge of metropolitan Bakersfield, comprised of 30 buildings, providing classroom, laboratory, administrative and technical support facilities.

Approximately 6,500 students, undergraduate and graduate, are served by a faculty of nearly 300. The university operates on a three course, three-term academic plan, under which the typical student program consists of three courses of five quarter units each during a quarter. The academic calendar consists of three 10-week quarters, extending from September to June, and two summer sessions.

Accreditation and Memberships – The university is committed to the goals of a liberal education – to promote the individual intellectual and personal growth of its students and to contribute to the community by developing in its students a sense of civic purpose and service.

The university is fully approved as a four-year, degree-granting institution by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Teacher Preparation Program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Nursing Program is accredited by the California Board of Nursing Education and Nursing Registration and the National League for Nursing. The undergraduate and graduate programs in Business Administration are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. The Master of Public Administration and the Master of Science in Administration, Health Care Management are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The Chemistry Program is approved by the Committee of Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

The university is a member of the American Council on Education, American Association of Colleges, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Institute of International Education— West Coast Region, National University Extension Association, American Association of Allied Health Professions, National Student Exchange Program, College Entrance Examination Board, College Placement Council, Assembly of Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, National Collegiate Athletic Association, California Collegiate Athletic Association, California Council on Education of Teachers, Western Association of Art Museums, Western Association of Graduate Schools, Western Association of Summer Sessions, and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.

Graduates of the university are eligible for membership in American Association of University Women.

The university is affiliated with many national academic honor societies. The university offers membership in a chapter of Alpha Chi, a honorary society, recognizing academic achievement. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences has established active chapters of Phi Alpha Theta the international history honor society and Sigma Delta Pi the national Spanish honorary society. The School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering has established a chapter in the Society of Sigma Xi the national honorary in the sciences. The School of Business and Public Administration has established chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma the national honor society for professionally accredited schools of business administration, Sigma Iota Epsilon the national management honorary society, and Pi Alpha Alpha the national society for public affairs and administration.

Getting To Know The Campus – Orientation programs provide newcomers with an introduction to academic life and the campus community. Conducted virtually year round to accommodate all students, the Counseling Center provides newcomers an opportunity to become better acquainted with the university. Students entering at the beginning of the academic year are given three options: Spring Orientation is designed primarily for transfer students; the Fall Kickoff program is particularly aimed at first time freshmen; and an Orientation briefing is offered the first day of the quarter. Students entering at the Winter and Spring quarters have two orientation options: a program is offered during preregistration period before each quarter and an orientation briefing is presented the first day of the quarter.

The Walter W. Stiern Library – The Walter W. Stiern Library, completed in 1994, provides state of the art facilities for information technology, as well as housing the library collection of more than 600,000 books and periodicals, the Media Center, the instructional television program, and most of the campus’ computer laboratories.

The Stiern Library is the first building on campus planned from conception to take full advantage of the new technology for storing and retrieving information. A revolution in communications technology has changed the way information is handled and that new technology has been introduced into every corner of the new library. The library provides access to the information superhighway and a global network of resources. Many new electronic services are available through the Internet and the World Wide Web.

The Media Center and computer labs occupy the lower level. The main entrance on the first floor houses basic services and collections: circulation, reference, government publications, and a reading room. The second floor holds the university’s extensive periodical collection, the audiovisual collections, and other materials. Reading tables, individual study carrels, and group study rooms are located beside the open stacks on the third and fourth floors.

The library staff share with faculty the responsibility of developing a comprehensive library collection to serve the university. The staff work closely with faculty to help students learn how to use the library through practical exercises related to classroom assignments.

A well-established interlibrary loan network enables students and faculty to use the library resources at all California State University campuses, the University of California libraries, as well as other libraries nationwide.

The library has been designed and arranged for self-service, with most books and other reference materials available on open shelves. Several microform reading and printing stations, microcomputers and terminals, and limited listening and other audio visual equipment are also available.

The Student Union – The Student Union is designed to serve as the social center of the campus community and provide a comfortable atmosphere for students to meet, organize, and attend a variety of events. The building is a contemporary, dynamic facility unique in structure and appearance on campus. The Student Union offices, organizations, facilities and services are intended to support and enhance a successful university experience. The Student Union, Inc. Board of Directors is comprised of students, alumni, faculty and staff members who guide the direction of the Student Union and set its policy.

The Office of Student Activities assists students, faculty and staff in the development of social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities for the university. These co-curricular activities are planned to enhance instructional offerings and to provide growth opportunities for students.

The Student Resource Center is located within the Student Activities area. It provides students with resource materials and equipment for the publicity and promotion of meetings and activities at minimal or no cost.

The Photo I.D. Office is also located within the Student Activities area.

Reservations for Student Union facilities may be made by contacting the Director’s Office. The experienced and helpful staff have assisted with the coordination and setup of meetings, conferences, dances, receptions, movies, banquets and various special events. Rental charges vary depending upon the facility utilized and whether a student group, campus department, or off-campus guest. In addition to tables and chairs, the Student Union has portable stage risers and a variety of audiovisual equipment including portable light and sound systems for use within the building.

The Student Union hours of operation vary throughout the year. Contact the Director’s Office or Information desk for specific days and hours of service.

Associated Students, Inc. provides an official voice through which students’ rights and interests are protected. Working to provide more than just student government, various cultural and social activities are supported by ASi. Activities and services from low cost child care to financial support for campus clubs and organizations are sponsored by ASi.

Food Service – The Cafeteria and the Dining Commons are operated by Sodexho Marriott, Campus Dining Division. The Cafeteria is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Dining Commons are open to the public.

Parking Information – The California State University Police, as a sworn law enforcement agency pursuant to California Penal Code Section 830.2, is responsible for the enforcement of parking and traffic regulations at California State University, Bakersfield. Parking regulations and ordinances are enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. If not otherwise specified, all ordinances and laws contained in the California Vehicle Code are applicable to the operation of vehicles on this campus. All citations, bails, fines, and court appearances are processed through Judicial Data Systems, Santa Ana, California. Failure to pay parking and traffic fines may result in the withholding of vehicle registration by the State Department of Motor Vehicles, Section 41103 C.V.C.

University Parking Regulations require that the permission to park on campus is dependent upon the payment of an established parking fee and possession of a daily, quarterly, annual, or temporary activities permit (except in metered, loading, time limited zones or by issuance of a visitor’s permit). These regulations apply to students, the general public, and state university employees.

Permits may be purchased during registration at a designated station or at any time during normal business hours from the Accounting Office. Daily Parking Permits are available 24 hours a day from dispensers at each entrance to the University.

Pay parking is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Permits are valid as indicated with beginning and ending expiration dates on the permit. The permit or decal must be clearly visible at all times to be valid. The parking decal is not transferable and must not be altered. Visitor permits will be valid only when displayed as directed on the permit.

All areas on the campus where vehicles may be legally parked are designated. Motorcycles and other motorized two-wheeled vehicles shall be parked in designated areas. Parking areas marked with green are time-limited areas. Parking spaces marked with yellow are loading areas with a time limit. Areas marked in red are designated no parking zones. Metered spaces are provided for short-term parking. Parking permits are not valid in metered spaces.

Handicapped parking spaces have been designated in each of the parking lots. Their use is reserved exclusively for disabled persons with handicapped decals issued with prior approval by Disabled Student Services. Any parking in a handicapped space specifically prohibited except by those displaying special courtesy permits issued for temporary disabilities.

The Children’s Center – The Children’s Center provides day care and a developmental program for children two to five years old. The center provides a meaningful education experience for youngsters, including programs designed to serve educational needs, social development, emotional growth and physical well being. Space is limited, so parents interested in placing their children at the center should contact the center’s director before the beginning of each quarter to complete the application process. The Children’s Center is operated by the Student Services Division through the CSUB Foundation.

Academic and Research Centers – California State University, Bakersfield is home to several centers and institutes. They include the Applied Research Center, Archaeological Information Center, California Well Sample Repository, Center for Archaeological Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Facility for Animal Care and Treatment, Center for Economic Education and Research, Center for Economic Education and Research, Computer Software Development and Computing Center, Kegley Institute of Ethics, Business Research and Education Center, Direct Marketing Institute, Small Business Institute, Public Administration Institute, Center for Living and Learning and the Center for Research in Agriculture and Biology.

For information on any of these and other CSUB Centers please contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Research at (661) 664-2231.