California State University. Board of Trustees

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San Jose, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes, Minns' Normal School is now San Jose State University offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

The chronology of San Jose State University's various name changes is as follows: Minns' Evening Normal School is founded in 1857; is renamed California State Normal School in 1862; becomes San Jose State Normal School in 1887; is renamed San Jose State Teachers College in 1921; becomes San Jose State College in 1935; is incorporated into the California State Colleges (now the 23-campus California State University system) in 1961; becomes California State University, San Jose, in 1972; and is renamed its current title, San Jose State University, in 1974.

The State Legislature established the Board of Trustees of the California State Colleges (now known as the California State University system) in 1961 after adopting the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. The Board of Trustees was established to "succeed to the powers, duties and functions with respect to the management, administration and control of the state colleges." Prior to this, the State Board of Education had jurisdiction over the separate CSU colleges. The Donahoe Act thus led to the restructuring of the individual campuses into the nation's largest system of senior higher education. Today the Board of Trustees governs the 23-campus CSU system.

From the description of California State University Board of Trustees records, 1961-1968. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 405665612

Organizational History

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes, Minns' Normal school is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

The State Legislature established the Board of Trustees of the California State Colleges (now known as the California State University system) in 1961 after adopting the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. The Board of Trustees was established to "succeed to the powers, duties and functions with respect to the management, administration and control of the state colleges." Prior to this, the State Board of Education had jurisdiction over the separate CSU colleges. The Donahoe Act thus led to the restructuring of the individual campuses into the nation's largest system of senior higher education.

Today the Board of Trustees governs the 23-campus CSU system by developing broad administrative policy for the campuses; providing direction and coordination to campus curricular development; overseeing the efficient management of funds, property, facilities and investments by the system and the campuses; appointing the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Presidents to the system; and communicating to the people of California an understanding and appreciation of the current effectiveness and the future needs of the California State University.

From the guide to the California State University Board of Trustees Records, 1961-1968, (San José State University. Library.)