Humboldt State University Humboldt State University ( HSU ) or Humboldt State , also occasionally referred to as Humboldt , is the northernmost campus of the 23 - school California State University ( CSU ) system , located in Arcata , Humboldt County , California , USA . The main campus , situated hillside at the edge of a coast redwood forest , has commanding views overlooking Arcata , much of Humboldt Bay , and the Pacific Ocean beyond . The college town setting on the California North Coast , north of Eureka and north of San Francisco , is notable for its natural beauty . The university , which is divided into three academic divisions or " colleges , " offers 49 types of bachelor ' s degrees , 21 different master ' s degrees , and at least 16 specific types of education related credentials , the majority of which are teaching credential programs . HSU does not confer doctoral degrees . In addition to the main campus , HSU has multiple off - campus facilities and education - related properties , including an ocean - side marine biology research center , a wildlife care facility , a public natural history museum , a public art gallery , a bay - side aquatics facility , a mountain - top astronomy observatory , an ocean - going marine research and teaching vessel , and a demonstration forest . History . Humboldt State Normal School was established as a teacher ' s college on June 16 , 1913 , by then - California Governor Hiram Johnson . The cities of Arcata and Eureka competed with one another to host the new campus . It opened on April 6 , 1914 in the former Arcata Grammar School building with 78 students and 5 faculty . The school was put under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education , renamed Humboldt State Teacher ' s College and Junior College , and moved to its current location in 1921 . In 1924 , the Associated Students and the Alumni Association were organized and " The Foghorn " , the first student newspaper , was published . Bachelor ' s degrees began being offered in 1927 . The school was renamed Humboldt State College in 1935 and the next year the Lumberjack was adopted as its mascot . In 1937 , the students opened a cooperative bookstore and soda fountain , which would exist for the next 40 years as the center of student life . During World War II , Founder ' s Hall , which is visible from the Pacific Ocean , was camouflaged so Japanese submarines would not use it as a navigational aid . An air observation post was also set up atop the art shop to watch for Japanese air strikes . The observation post was primarily staffed by wives of faculty members . The post was removed in 1953 . Graduate programs began being offered in 1947 and KHSC , later KHSU , the first state college radio station in California , was established . In 1960 , the college joined the newly formed California State College system . The junior college program , terminated at HSU in 1962 , was re - established in 1964 at College of the Redwoods ( CR ) located at the southern edge of Eureka . CR is located only seventeen miles south of HSU , and the two institutions maintain a close working relationship , with many students transferring to HSU following graduation from CR . Student activism on campus rose through the 1960s and early 1970s , peaking in a protest against the Vietnam War with about 800 students ( out of 3 , 600 ) participating in demonstrations on October 15 , 1969 . This was followed by another protest with nearly 3 , 000 students who planned a strike after the Cambodian Incursion . With similar events across the state , Governor Reagan shut down the CSC system in May 1970 for the rest of the year . The 1970s also saw the rise of feminist , cultural , and LGBT groups , and though the Women ' s Center would be the only one to survive through the 1980s , most groups would reappear by the mid - 1990s . The campus currently hosts a United Students Against Sweatshops group that is active in lobbying for ethical products and services on campus . In 1967 , the Humboldt Film Festival started and it is now one of the oldest student - run festival in the world . In 1996 the annual Explorations in afro - cuban dance and drum workshop began being held on the campus every July . The workshop is the largest assemblage of Afro - Cuban folkloric masters in the United States , drawing students from across the country and around the world . In 1972 , the college was renamed California State University , Humboldt , and was further renamed Humboldt State University two years later . Enrollment first reached 7 , 500 in 1974 , and though it has increased to near 8 , 000 in years since , the university remains one of the smallest in the CSU system . Through the 1980s , mature students became a large part of Humboldt State ' s student body , and in 1986 40 % of the students were over the age of 25 . The number has since decreased to 30 % . In 1987 students and activists founded the optional Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility . The purpose of the Pledge is to encourage graduating students to be mindful of the social and environmental impacts of their employment as they enter the workforce or continue their education . Today over one hundred Universities and colleges worldwide use the Pledge to some extent . Academics . The university is divided into three colleges : the College of Arts , Humanities , and Social Sciences ; the College of Natural Resources and Sciences ; and the College of Professional Studies . There are 49 undergraduate majors and 73 minors . The two largest majors are Biology and Art , both with over 20 faculty members and extensive facilities on - and off - campus . There are several credential programs and twelve Master ' s programs , of which Natural Resources and Social Work are the largest . The new Energy , Environment , and Society graduate program is unique to the CSU , and provides graduates with interdisciplinary training in engineering , economics , and climate policy . Humboldt State is one of only two universities in California to offer a major in Botany , the other being Cal Poly Pomona . Its botany program is the nation ’ s largest undergraduate program . Humboldt State is the only university in California to offer a degree in Rangeland Resources and Wildland Soils . The Native American Studies major and the Oceanography major are also unique to the California State University system . The university offers unique minors including Multicultural Queer Studies , Scientific Diving , and Appropriate Technology . The university ' s location on the North Coast provides access to the Pacific Ocean , lagoons , marshes , estuaries , and the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory , which provides opportunities for " hands - on " experiences and research for the sciences . Humboldt State University is one of the few universities in the nation with a state - of - the - art fire lab . Its fire science program teaches modern techniques for managing wildfire , and an advanced training program is offered for Forest Service employees and similar professionals . As of 2012 , Humboldt State University has an International student population that has quadrupled in the last five years . The International English Language Institute has worked alongside HSU for 22 years to help international students gain academic English language skills to further their academic pursuits and business careers . The College of eLearning , & Extended Ed ( CEEE ) is a self - supporting outreach department of Humboldt State University that provides a variety of academic , professional development and personal enrichment opportunities . While the CEEE programs are open to almost everyone , there is an emphasis on providing access to those community members who are not matriculated students at the university . Non - matriculated students may take some regular university courses through the CEEE Open University program . High school students may take regular HSU courses through the CEEE High School Concurrent Enrollment Program . Also , those aged 60 and over may take regular HSU classes through the Over 60 Program . There are also a variety of online degree programs offered through the college . The CEEE also offers a wide range of diverse and eclectic programs . Examples include music and art programs for children , the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for those aged 50 and over , foreign language classes , travel - study programs , continuing education for teachers , MFT / LCSW , nurses , and law enforcement . In 1998 Humboldt State University opened the HSU First Street Gallery in Old Town Eureka , expanding community access to the university ’ s cultural and fine arts programs . In 2007 , the university further expanded its presence in Eureka with the opening of the HSU Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center , a $ 4 . 5 million aquatic facility on the bay in Old Town Eureka . Future plans include a new HSU Bay and Estuarine Studies Center . This new facility will be closer to the " Coral Sea " ( in 2012 docked at Woodley Island , Eureka ) , the only vessel in a U . S . educational institution solely dedicated to undergraduate research . The new facility would be considerably larger than the other existing facility , the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory in Trinidad , north . Humboldt State University Professor Steve Sillett has conducted groundbreaking research on redwood forest canopies and was featured in a 2009 cover story in " National Geographic " . He holds the Kenneth L . Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology , the only endowed chair in the world dedicated to a single tree species . Student life . Humboldt State ' s student population has stayed consistently around 7 , 500 for several decades . This is equal to approximately half of the population of Arcata , though students are dispersed all over the region . Eighteen percent of students live in the residence halls , usually new freshmen and transfer students . The university ' s student body ' s average age is 26 , one of the highest in the country . Humboldt State is well known for its environmental awareness and activism . The Humboldt Energy Independence Fund ( HEIF ) is unique to the CSU , and uses student fee monies to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus . HEIF provides a rare opportunity for students , faculty , and plant operations staff to work together collaboratively towards a goal of a lower - carbon and energy - independent future . Compost and recycling bins are more common on campus than trash cans and many events are encouraged to be zero waste , all coordinated through the student - run Waste Reduction and Resource Awareness Program ( WRRAP ) . The Associated Students fund WRRAP , the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology , and the Sustainable Living Arts and Music Festival ( SLAM fest ) . Humboldt State University built the first building in the CSU system to be LEED - gold certified for its eco - friendly features . The Behavioral and Social Sciences Building has rainwater collection , sustainably harvested wood native - plant landscaping , and more . The location of HSU affords students the potential for outside activities in local parks and public lands , which include miles of accessible , undeveloped coastline . Rivers and streams , forests , and extraordinary terrain are just outside the classroom door . Student media . The Lumberjack is the weekly student - run newspaper of Humboldt State University and is funded through the sales of advertisements supplemented by the Instructionally Related Activities fee . It covers news relevant to the students and faculty of Humboldt State and major news relevant to the residents of Humboldt County . This includes coverage of university issues , protests , rallies , athletics , the local music scene , and sometimes , quirky events from the local police log . Stories of statewide significance , especially those that concern CSU students , are sometimes reported on as well . In 2010 , the Lumberjack won second place for Best All - Around Non - Daily Student Newspaper at a 4 - Year College or University , and second place breaking news photo from the Society of Professional Journalists . To be on the Lumberjack , students must enroll in JMC 327 : The Newspaper Lab . " The Osprey " is the university ' s student - run magazine , published twice annually . It has won first - place awards in major regional competitions , including the Society of Professional Journalists ' " Mark of Excellence " Awards and the California Intercollegiate Press Association awards . KRFH 105 . 1 FM / KRFH . net is a student - run radio station founded in 1990 by Dr . Gary Melton . KRFH stands for " Radio Free Humboldt " and was originally only received in the Sunset and Redwood Residence Halls but now can be received worldwide on iTunes , RadioFlag or at the website KRFH . net . KRFH ' s purpose is to provide broadcast experience to students while also approximating the structure of a commercial radio station . Students enroll in JMC 155 or JMC 355 in order to become DJs , committing to weekly shows of one to two hours respectively . Marching Lumberjacks . The HSU Marching Lumberjacks ( sometimes referred to as the " Banned " ) is the official student - run marching band of the university . It performs in the scatter band style often associated with ivy league schools , using humorous routines and scripts during its half - time field shows in Redwood Bowl . Athletics . The Lumberjacks ’ program is affiliated with the NCAA on the Division II level and is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association . Humboldt State currently sponsors 12 intercollegiate sports programs — men ’ s and women ’ s soccer , men ’ s and women ’ s cross country , Cheerleading , volleyball , football ( in which it competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference ) , men ’ s and women ’ s basketball , men ’ s and women ’ s track and field , softball and women ’ s rowing . Centers and Institutes . Centers & Institutes affiliate with an association of individuals , faculty , staff and others , who may wish to encourage or pursue activities , including research and creative activities , that are consistent with the mission of the University . The following policy and procedures provide for the recognition and chartering of such Centers / Institutes .