The Early Years: San Fernando Valley State College

1955

Legislature approves purchase of land in north San Fernando Valley for satellite campus of Los Angeles State College (later to be known as Cal State Los Angeles).

September

San Fernando Valley Campus of Los Angeles State College begins classes in 10 leased rooms at San Fernando High School.

1956

Jan. 4

Groundbreaking for new Valley satellite campus. The 165-acre site, much of it farmland is purchased for $6,000 an acre.

Sept. 24

Campus opens with 40 instructors and 1,475 students. To distinguish itself from Los Angeles State College, campus will specialize in education.

1957

Construction begins on South Library, campus' first permanent structure.

Feb. 1

First issue of campus newspaper is published, but since name has not been chosen, papers display large question mark for masthead. A month later, "Sundial" becomes name of paper.

1958

July 1

Valley campus separates from Los Angeles State College and is named San Fernando Valley State College.

Ralph Prator assumes job as first president.

Officials project campus will hold 5,000 students, but estimate is soon doubled.

1960

March

Construction is completed on Fine Arts Building, designed by famed modernist architect Richard Neutra.

1963

March

Students protest over censorship when Fine Arts Department decides to not show sculpture by artist Edward Kienholz, called "Bunny, Bunny, You're So Funny," depicting pregnant, nude mannequin with baby in her see-through torso.

1965

February

First major budget crunch hits Valley State. Admissions are restricted to accommodate $500,000 budget cut imposed by state.

1965

September

Enrollment reaches 12,690.

1966

November

Valley State students are arrested at antiwar protest at Van Nuys Air National Guard Base. Days later more students are detained for handing out "unauthorized" antiwar fliers on campus.

December

Los Angeles police are called to campus to disperse student protests.

1967

September

Faculty Senate urges campus administration to stop calling in police during campus disputes and protests.

Out of 15,600 students, 23 are black and 11 Latino. School decides to boost minority enrollment.

1968

Sept. 1

Prator resigns. Paul Blomgren, former dean of business and education, becomes acting president.

Nov. 4