California State University, Stanislaus, one of 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, blends modern facilities with the pastoral charm of the countryside. The University enjoys an ideal location in the heart of Californias Central Valley, a short distance from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the governmental hub of Sacramento. The proximity allows for hiking, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, surfing and other outdoors sports and activities. The 228-acre campus is located in the City of Turlock; a community that prides itself on its small-town atmosphere, clean living space, excellent schools and low crime rate. The campus itself is a beautiful, park-like setting in an environment conducive to learning. Shaded by hundreds of trees and graced by ponds, trickling streams and waterfalls, the picturesque campus offers moments of peace and relaxation to busy students, faculty, staff and the community to actively participate in the learning-centered activities sponsored by the campus. The university offers over 100 majors, minors, concentrations and teaching credentials, 24 masters degree programs and six graduate certificate programs as well as an Executive MBA and a doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership. Students are encouraged to take courses to give them a broad understanding of the liberal arts and sciences in their first two years so they can make an informed choice of specialization. The diverse student body of 8,620 undergraduate and 1,142 graduate/postbaccalaureate students includes many first-generation college students and working parents. The average class size for undergraduates is 27.6 and the undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 20 to 1. The highly accessible faculty is renowned for teaching, research and service. Over 80 percent of full-time faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees in their fields. Stanislaus State boasts one of the highest retention rates among the 23 CSU campuses. Student success is supported by a comprehensive network of on-campus resources. Consistent advising, including a strong first year program, frequent and meaningful contact with professors, and supportive staff and administrators all contribute to student success. Stanislaus State consistently receives high ratings from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Stan State boasts over 60 student clubs ranging from rock climbing to dance, along with 13 national honor society chapters. There are also five fraternities and eleven sororities. On-campus housing provides a safe and home-like atmosphere with a gated community, multiple dining options, laundry facilities and computer labs. Stanislaus State is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities recognized Stanislaus State for its exceptional performance in improving retention and graduation rates. The university is noted for its small class sizes and a low percentage of student debt upon graduation. The university is building a reputation as being environmentally friendly with the awarding of a Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and a Green Rating from the Princeton Review. The state-of-the-art Nora and Hashem Naraghi Hall of Science, completed in 2007, became the first building in the county to earn a rating from the USGBC, which rates buildings for environmentally friendly features. In addition, Stanislaus State launched an Ecology and Sustainability Master of Science degree program in 2007 that is the first of its kind in the CSU system, and Stan State is also home to the Endangered Species Recovery Program that focuses on animals and plants all over California.

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