California State University, Northridge began like many other
institutions in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley, with trees cleared
and foundations poured at sites that were once orange, lemon, or avocado
groves. While it passed its first years as the San Fernando Valley
campus of Los Angeles State College, it became San Fernando Valley State
College (SFVSC) before the 1958 fall term. As the campus and student
body rapidly grew, SFVSC saw waves of political activism promoting equal
opportunities in higher education, protesting racism and discrimination,
and denouncing war. Negotiations between student groups, campus
administration, and the Faculty Senate ultimately led to the
establishment of some of the nation's earliest programs in ethnic and
area studies. In 1972, the campus became California State University,
Northridge (CSUN). Today, over 2,000 faculty members serve 40,000
students pursuing bachelor's degrees in 69 disciplines, master's degrees
in 58 fields, doctorates in two fields, and 14 teaching credential
programs.