California State University, Fresno (commonly referred to as Fresno State) is a public university in Fresno, California. It is one of 23 campuses within the California State University system.^[6] The university had a Fall 2016 enrollment of 24,405 students. It offers bachelor's degrees in 60 areas of study, 45 master's degrees, 3 doctoral degrees, 12 certificates of advanced study, and 2 different teaching credentials.^[7][8]

The university's unique facilities include an on-campus planetarium, on-campus raisin and wine grape vineyards, and a commercial winery, where student-made wines have won over 300 awards since 1997.^[9][10] Members of Fresno State's nationally ranked Top 10 Equestrian Team^[11] have the option of housing their horses on campus, next to indoor and outdoor arenas. Fresno State has a 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) Student Recreation Center^[12] and the third-largest library, in terms of square footage, in the California State University system.^[13] The university is classified as a doctoral university with moderate research activity in the Carnegie Classification, as of the February 1, 2016 update.

In 2019, the university saw the largest graduating class in its history, with over 6,200 graduates ^[14]

Fresno State was founded as the Fresno State Normal School in 1911 with Charles Lourie McLane as its first president.^[15] The original campus was what is now Fresno City College. In 1956, Fresno State moved its campus to its present location in the northeast part of the city and FCC bought the old campus and moved back in.^[16] It became Fresno State College in 1949, when it was authorized to grant bachelor's degrees. It became a charter institution of the California State University System in 1961. In 1972 the name was officially changed to California State University, Fresno.^[15]

The greater campus extends from Bulldog Stadium on the west boundary to Highway 168 on the east side. The University Agricultural Laboratory designates the northern boundary of the campus, while Shaw Avenue designates the southern edge.

The 388 acres (157 ha) main campus features more than 46 traditional and modern buildings. The 1,011 acre University Agricultural Laboratory (The "Farm") is used for agronomic and horticulture crops, equine, swine, beef, dairy, poultry, and sheep units, as well as several hundred acres of cattle rangeland. Fresno State was officially designated as an arboretum in 1979 and now has more than 3,200 trees on campus. Fresno State operates the first university-based commercial winery in the United States.

The Henry Madden Library is a main resource for recorded knowledge and information supporting the teaching, research, and service functions of Fresno State.^[17] Because of its size and depth, it is an important community and regional resource and a key part of the institution's role as a regional university.

The library recently underwent a $105 million renovation that was completed in February 2009. The library held its grand opening on February 19, 2009 and is now home to a variety of book collections. The library houses 1,000,000 books in its 327,920 sq ft (30,465 m2).^[18] The library is home to the largest installation of compact shelving on any single floor in the United States. The shelves amount to over 20 miles (32 km) in length.^[18] It is currently the third largest library in the CSU system (in terms of square footage), and among the top ten largest in the CSU system based on the number of volumes. It also is the largest academic building on the Fresno State campus.^[18] The five-story building features seating areas for almost 4,000 people, group study rooms, wireless access and a Starbucks.^[19]

Public computers are available. Student, faculty and staff have access to over 200 wireless laptops, a media production lab for editing digital video and audio, and an instruction and collaboration center (Studio 2) for teaching information literacy skills. Reference assistance can be accessed by telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and in-person in the Library.^[19]

The Henry Madden Library features a number of special collections such as the Arne Nixon Center, a research center for the study of children's and young adult literature, and the Central Valley Political Archive.^[20]

Michael Gorman, the former dean of the Library, was the President of the American Library Association in 2005–2006.^[21] As of 2017, Delritta Hornbuckle is the Library's Dean.^[22]

Fresno State was the first of all 23 CSU campuses to offer an individual-campus doctorate.^[26] At the graduate level, Fresno State also offers the following nationally ranked programs: part-time MBA, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, and Social Work.

A joint doctoral program in collaboration with San Jose State University for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is administered through Fresno State University.^[27]

California State University, Fresno is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The five engineering programs in the Lyles College of Engineering are each accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Craig School of Business is AACSB accredited. The university is classified by the U.S. Federal government as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)^[28] and an Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) because the Hispanic undergraduate full-time-equivalent student enrollment is greater than 25%.^[29]

The Smittcamp Family Honors College is a program providing top high school graduates a fully paid President's Scholarship, which includes tuition and housing, as well as other amenities for the duration of their studies.

Admission to the Smittcamp Family Honors College is highly competitive and candidates must exceed one or more of the following: have a minimum 3.8 GPA, rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, have a combined SAT score of 1200 or an average ACT English and Mathematics score of 27.^[30]

Smittcamp Honors Scholars must also complete rigorous academic and community service requirements. International study abroad programs are available. Smittcamp Honors College students receive priority registration for all courses, regular interaction with the university president, and special honors recognition at commencement.^[31] The Honors College is named after longtime campus friends and philanthropists Earl and Muriel Smittcamp.

The Student Involvement Center^[45] provides services, programs and co-curricular educational activities that give student the opportunity to develop skills and expand their knowledge. Their core purpose is to promote engagement and cultivate student growth through support and teamwork, service, growth and learning, leadership and inclusion.^[46] Some key events the Student Involvement Center plan are Convocation, Homecoming Week, Vintage Days, Commencement, and more.

Student clubs and organizations are groups that have been recognized by the university. Clubs and organizations can be based on academic, cultural, recreational, religious or other special interests. These groups are required to apply for recognition to receive support from the university.^[50]

ASI is the recognized student body government at Fresno State. Through ASI, students participate in the governance of the university through fostering awareness of student opinions on campus issues and assisting in the protection of student rights.^[51] Twenty students are elected each year. There are four executives who include a President, Vice President, Vice President of Finance, and a Vice President of External Affairs, ten at-large senators and eight college senators. Those elected serve annual terms from June 1 to May 31.^[52]

ASI provides funding for student-related projects on campus. Sponsored Activities Funding provides supplemental event funding for recognized student clubs and organizations. The Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) fund provides funding for activities and laboratory experiences that are partially sponsored by an academic program, discipline, or department. Grants provide financial support for graduate and undergraduate student research, projects, and other scholarly endeavors in all academic disciplines.^[51]

In February 2006, the Student Recreation Center opened. Construction costs were paid for and operating funds are derived from a semester student-use fee. While an Association entity, the Student Recreation Center is under the direction of the Division of Student Affairs. The Student Recreation Center is adjacent to the Save Mart Center arena.^[53]

Any student who has paid the USU student-use fee in the current semester is eligible to use the Recreation Center. Faculty and staff may join at a monthly rate. This facility is not available to the general public.

The center has four full-size basketball courts, a dance studio, a 1/8 mile (200 m) indoor running track, locker rooms, 2 racquetball courts, aerobic equipment, and weight-lifting machines. Services include personal training, group fitness classes, towel service and personal lockers.^[53]

In late 2018, students voted in construction of a new student union. Construction is slated to begin in early 2020 and end in 2021. The new student union will be built to accommodate a campus of around 25,000 students. The new union will feature "new retail dining concepts, a large, multi-purpose ballroom, space for student clubs and organizations, offices for Associated Students, Inc. and Student Involvement, and many other needed programmatic spaces." A fee of $149 will be included in students tuition costs once the facuility opens to repay its construction costs. ^[54]

The original student union was constructed on November 11, 1968 and was built to accommodate a campus of 10,000 students. The building is 52,000 square feet and has three levels, one of which is underground. ^[55]

Home to 1,100 students, University Courtyard consists of nine housing communities of both suite and community style living. Fresno State's classrooms, library, computer lab, student activities, athletic facilities, theater, Save Mart Center, Student Recreation Center and health center are all within walking distance of the residence halls.

University Courtyard offers a computer lab and an outdoor swimming pool. The Courtyard has lighted parking, an electronic room and hall lock system, gated bicycle racks and campus escorts. During the fall and spring, all halls have live-in staff available 24 hours/7 days a week.^[56]

Fresno State is a member of the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference. The university's 22 varsity sports teams are known as the Bulldogs, and the school's colors are cardinal red and blue. Fresno State has made several runs at NCAA tournaments in basketball, football, soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

In 2017, Fresno State resurrected its wrestling program after an 11-year hiatus. Fresno State competes in the Big 12 Conference in wrestling.

The Bulldogs have earned the following NCAA Division I National Championships:

FresnoStateNews is an online source of information about current events affecting Fresno State students, faculty and staff. The site provides an archive of news articles, videos and photos, as well as links to major resources on campus.^[57]

The FresnoState Magazine is published twice per year from the Office of University Communications. It is both a print and online publication that features current events at Fresno State, Alumni Association events and alumni achievements.^[58]

The Collegian is the campus student-run newspaper. It is published during the fall and spring semesters on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The online edition features video, podcasts and photo galleries.^[59]

KFSR Radio is the campus radio station. KFSR's broadcast license is owned by California State University, Fresno. KFSR is a listener-supported, non-profit, public radio station. It broadcasts at 90.7 FM and streams online at www.kfsr.org. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and plays jazz, blues and a wide range of specialty shows.

Fresno State Focus is the campus student-run, weekly broadcast put on by the Media, Communications, and Journalism department. The news team changes each semester, and has been involved in several projects that extend beyond the campus.

Two branches of the military are represented on campus at Fresno State: Army and Air Force. The Army unit on campus is known as the Bulldog Battalion.^[60] The Air Force ROTC Detachment on campus, Detachment 35, is one of the oldest in the nation. Founded in 1948, only one year after the signing of the National Defense Act of 1947 which established the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the military, Detachment 35 has won numerous awards.^[61] In July 2008, Detachment 35 was awarded the "High Flight" award, naming it the top mid-sized detachment in the entire southwest region of the United States. Just a few months later, Detachment 35 was named best mid-sized detachment in the nation and awarded the "Right of Line" award, the highest honor for a detachment.^[62]

Professor Randa Jarrar, after the death of Barbara Bush, described the former first lady as a "racist" and wrote "fuck outta here with your nice words."^[63] Jarrar wrote later that "I'm happy the witch is dead".^[64][65] Social media erupted with fury, with numerous people calling for her to be fired from the university.^[66] Jarrar said she will "never be fired" because of her tenured position.^[66][67] Tenure is supposed to provide teachers with freedom of speech.^[66] While there was speculation in the university's administration about what to do, a report in the Washington Post suggested that "she may be right" that she could not be fired.^[66] The university's president, Joseph Castro, said in a news conference that officials were reviewing the facts and that even a professor with tenure does not have "blanket permission" to say anything that they wish to say.^[66] The controversy focused national attention on the issue of free speech on college campuses.^[68][69]

A number of notable Fresno State alumni have served in state and federal positions, become major athletes, or found their mark in business and media, including Joy Covey, the original CFO of Amazon.com.^[70]