"The College of Ethnic Studies – as well as the events that took place on this and other CSU campuses a half century ago – represent a critical, foundational source of the dynamic diversity that is now such an intrinsic and inextricable part of the California State University’s DNA. In fact, academic excellence at the CSU is utterly dependent on the higher and richer learning that occurs for all students when a university is diverse in its people, programs and shared ideas."
Chancellor Timothy P. White
50th Anniversary Gala
San Francisco State University College of Ethnic Studies
October 12, 2019
Although most of our California State University campuses have offered ethnic studies courses for many years, beginning in fall 2021 every campus will have them available to students. Additionally, starting with the students who begin their journey to a CSU degree in fall 2021, there will be a requirement in place that students complete a 3-unit course in Ethnic Studies as part of their baccalaureate degree. These courses can encompass one or more of the four traditional ethnic studies groups of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Latino and Latina Americans. The following resources have been provided to support and inform ongoing development and implementation of this new requirement on a systemwide basis as well as the development of these new courses at the campus level.
Key Updates
- CSU General Education Breadth policy
updated to include Ethnic Studies requirement. (December 2020)
- The Board of Trustees approved an action item to amend Title 5 for the requirement to be called Ethnic Studies. (November 2020)
- The Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU), as the faculty voice of the CSU, consulted with members of the Ethnic Studies Council as well as members of the CSU Chancellor’s Office to finalize core competencies of the new requirement. (October 2020)
- The Board of Trustees were informed of a
proposal for a Title 5 change for the requirement to be called Ethnic Studies. (September 2020)
- View Ethnic Studies
timeline .
Ethnic Studies Core Competencies
Stakeholder Meeting Notes and Materials
Task Force on the Advancement of Ethnic Studies
id='ms-rterangeselectionplaceholder-end'></span>">About the Task Force on the Advancement of Ethnic Studies
In January 2014, Chancellor Timothy P. White formed a statewide committee called the CSU Task Force on the Advancement of Ethnic Studies. Learn more about the history and work of the Task Force: