San Diego State University. Campus Y

Historical Note

In 1930, a donation of $6000 was given to the YWCA for the purpose of building the Ellen Scripps Cottage on the San Diego State College campus. The YWCA gave the money to the college, which contributed another $6000 to the project. Scripps Cottage was built to be "used as a social and activities center for the benefit of the women students of the college" and was put under the general supervision of the Associated Women of the College. The San Diego State College Campus Y was established in 1947 as an informal joint YMCA-YWCA. In 1953, it moved its headquarters to Scripps cottage.

The Campus Y served as an association of students and faculty who sought to develop an inclusive community where together they could "freely inquire, share, worship, learn, take action and experience the relevance of the Christian faith to problems college students faced." The Y was open to all members of the campus community regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or faith. By offering a number of programs, the Campus Y sought to develop informal contacts between students and faculty.