View source for California State University, Northridge

{{Short description|Public university in Los Angeles, California, US}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = California State University,<br>Northridge
 | image                  = CSUNS.svg
 | image_upright          = .7
 | motto                  = ''Vox Veritas Vita'' ([[Latin language|Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "Speak the truth as a way of life"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1958}}
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | endowment              = $262.1 million (2025)<ref>As of June 30, 2025. {{cite web |url=https://mycsun.box.com/s/ofvsmjk48yjj5asmjt619xhvuq2ade54 |title=California State University, Northridge Foundation Financial Statements (With Supplementary Information) and Independent Auditor's Report |publisher=CohnReznick LLP |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref>
 | budget                 = $566.6 million (2025)<ref>2025-2026. {{cite web |url= https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/2025-26%20Campus%20Operating%20Budget.pdf |title= University Fund General Operating Budget |publisher= University Financial Management at California State University - Northridge |year= 2025 |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref>
 | president              = [[Erika D. Beck]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csun.edu/leadership/erika-beck |title=Erika D. Beck, Ph.D. |website=Administration |date=February 12, 2013 |publisher=California State University, Northridge |access-date=January 11, 2021}}</ref>
 | provost                = Meera Komarraju
 | faculty                = 2,085 (Fall 2025)<ref name="Profiles">{{Cite web|url=https://live-csu-northridge.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/2025-11/profile_2025_0.pdf|title=CSUN Profiles|website=California State University, Northridge|publisher=Office of Institutional Research (at CSUN)|language=en|access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 1,913 (Fall 2025)<ref name="Profiles" />
 | students               = 36,960 (Fall 2025)<ref name="Profiles" />
 | undergrad              = 32,846 (Fall 2025)<ref name="Profiles" />
 | postgrad               = 4,114 (Fall 2025)<ref name="Profiles" />
 | city                   = [[Los Angeles]]
 | state                  = [[California]]
 | country                = U.S.
 | coor                   = {{Coord|34|14|30|N|118|31|42|W|display=inline,title|region:US-CA_type:edu_source:dewiki}}
 | campus                 = [[Urban area|Large city]]
 | campus_size            = {{convert|356|acre|ha}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/about-csun|title=About CSUN|date=July 9, 2013 |publisher=California State University, Northridge|access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref>
 | former_names           = Satellite campus of [[California State University, Los Angeles|Los&nbsp;Angeles State College]] (1952–1958)<br> San Fernando Valley State College (1958–1972)
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division I]] – [[Big West Conference|Big West]]|[[Mountain Pacific Sports Federation|MPSF]]}}
 | sports_nickname        = [[Cal State Northridge Matadors|Matadors]]
 | mascot                 = Matty the Matador
 | colors                 = Red and black<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csun.edu/identity/color-palette |title=Color Palette |work=California State University, Northridge |date=2015-04-02}}</ref><br>{{color box|#D22030}}&nbsp;{{color box|#000000}}
 | parent                 = [[California State University]]
 | accreditation          = [[WASC Senior College and University Commission|WSCUC]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities|CUMU]]
 | website                = {{URL|csun.edu}}
 | logo                   = CSU Northridge logo.svg
 | logo_upright           = 1.1
 | free_label             = Newspaper
 | free                   = ''Daily Sundial''
}}

'''California State University, Northridge''' ('''CSUN''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|s|ʌ|n}} or '''Cal State Northridge'''), is a [[public university]] in the [[Northridge, Los Angeles|Northridge]] neighborhood of [[Los Angeles]], California, United States. With a total enrollment of 36,960 students (as of Fall 2025), it has the fourth largest total student body in the  [[California State University]] system. The size of CSUN also has a major impact on the California economy, with an estimated $1.9 billion in [[economic output]] generated by CSUN on a yearly basis.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.csun.edu/economicimpact/csun-expenditures-generate-19-billion-output-across-state | title=CSUN Expenditures Generate $1.9 Billion in Output Across the State| date=July 2016}}</ref> As of Fall 2025, the university has 2,085 faculty members, of which around 37% are tenured or on the tenure-track.<ref name="Profiles" />

California State University, Northridge, was founded first as the Valley satellite campus of [[California State University, Los Angeles]]. It then became an independent college in 1958 as '''San Fernando Valley State College''', with major campus master planning and construction. In 1972, the university adopted its current name of California State University, Northridge. The [[1994 Northridge earthquake]] caused $400&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|400|1994|r=0}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in damage to the campus, the heaviest damage ever sustained by an American college campus.<ref name="CSUN History">{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/aboutCSUN/history/|title=CSUN History|date=2015-03-10|publisher=Csun.edu|access-date=November 1, 2011}}</ref>

The university offers 134 different [[bachelor's degree]] and [[master's degree]] programs in 70 fields, as well as four [[doctoral degrees]]. It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=110608 |title=Carnegie Classifications {{!}} Institution Lookup |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331211616/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=110608 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

CSUN is home to the [[National Center on Deafness]] and the university hosts the annual [[CSUN Assistive Technology Conference|International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities]], more commonly known as the CSUN Conference. Cal State Northridge is a [[Hispanic-serving institution]].

==History==
===Establishment===
The establishment of CSUN began in 1952 with the proposal of a new satellite campus for Los Angeles State College (now known as [[California State University, Los Angeles]]), to be established in [[Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles|Baldwin Hills]].<ref name="CSUN History" /><ref name="Jarosz 2018">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2qxxDwAAQBAJ&q=Suddenly+a+Giant+a+history+of+csun&pg=PA6|title=California State University, Northridge|last1=Jarosz|first1=Ellen|last2=Kutay|first2=Stephen|date=2018|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4671-2995-4|language=en}}</ref> However, San Fernando Valley advocates persuaded state officials, including California Assembly member [[Julian Beck (judge)|Julian Beck]], to change the location to [[Northridge, Los Angeles|Northridge]] after a meeting at the [[Brown Derby]] restaurant on [[Wilshire Boulevard]].<ref name="CSUN History"/><ref name="Jarosz 2018" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Suddenly a Giant: A History of California State University, Northridge|last=Broesamle|first=John|date=1993|publisher=Santa Susana Press|location=Northridge, CA|pages=2–3 |url=https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/publications/2j62s8469}}</ref>  The origins of San Fernando Valley State College trace back to September 1955, when classes first began in 10 leased classrooms at [[San Fernando High School]].<ref name=Professor>{{cite news |last=Chandler |first=John |date=December 12, 1993 |title=Professor's Chronicle Takes a Hard Look at History of CSUN |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-12-vw-1155-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 23, 2024}}</ref> The official groundbreaking of the university occurred on January 4, 1956, and was performed by, among others, the [[Governor of California]] [[Goodwin Knight]] and Los Angeles State College President [[Howard S. McDonald]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> While it is situated in a suburban location nowadays, it was a rural location during its founding.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" />

===1956–1965===
Classes started on September 24, 1956, in temporary buildings, with an enrollment of 1,500 students.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /><ref name=Professor /> Delmar Oviatt, the former namesake of the campus library (subsequently renamed University Library), was the dean of the satellite campus until July 1, 1958, when the campus separated from Los Angeles State College and was renamed San Fernando Valley State College (popularly abbreviated to Valley State College, Valley State, or SFVSC) after the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-13-me-48403-story.html|last=Brady |first=David E. |title=Early CSUN Administrator a Potent Force - Los Angeles Times|website=www.latimes.com|date=April 13, 1997 |access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref><ref name="Catalog">{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.csun.edu/about/university-history/|title=University History|website=catalog.csun.edu|access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref> [[Ralph Prator]] was assigned as the first president of the university and enrollment reached 2,525 with a tuition of $29 per semester.<ref name="CSUN History"/><ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> During that same year, the first graduation ceremony was held for around 100 students at the [[Hollywood Bowl]]; it was held on campus during subsequent years.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> In 1959, the university became the first State College to have its own computer.<ref name="CSUN History"/> In 1964, the pioneering computer lab was moved into new quarters in the recently completed Sierra Hall building complex, and student enrollment reached nearly 12,000.<ref name="CSUN History"/> Buildings were swiftly constructed during the early 1960s.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> Additionally, in November 1963 the university established its own radio station, which continues operation to this day as [[KCSN]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" />

On October 25, 1960, then vice presidential nominee [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] visited the campus accompanied by [[Pat Brown|Governor Pat Brown]] to hold a rally in front of approximately 3,500 students.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> Four years later, then Republican candidate [[Nelson Rockefeller]] held a rally at the university in front of around 6,000 students, which was organized by the university's Republican Club.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> In December 1965, with increasing conversation and tension on the topic of civil rights in the country, the university hosted a debate between the conservative thinker [[William F. Buckley Jr.]] and liberal [[African Americans|African American]] journalist [[Louis Lomax]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" />

===1966–1972===
[[File:Humphrey Vietnam protest.jpg|thumb|left|[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] is met by student protest in 1966 while visiting San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN)]]
The campus's quiet, moderately conservative and overwhelmingly white suburban setting did not shield it from a share of the noise, strife and social upheavals of the [[Vietnam War]] era. As on many college campuses, there were  antiwar demonstrations.<ref name="CSUN History" />

In September 1966, [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] visited the campus, where he was met by students protesting the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> On March 25, 1968, a presidential campaign speech on campus by [[Robert F. Kennedy]] drew an orderly crowd of 10,000 and mainly focused on his opposition to the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>[http://digital-library.csun.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/Sundial/id/8644/rec/1 ''Daily Sundial'', March 26, 1968, p.1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212001848/http://digital-library.csun.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/Sundial/id/8644/rec/1 |date=December 12, 2013 }}. Retrieved November 11, 2013.</ref> Shortly thereafter, his opponent [[Eugene McCarthy]] also held a rally at the university which drew a crowd of 7,000 spectators.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" />

However, 1968 would not end quite so peacefully on the campus. The April [[assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], soon followed by the June [[assassination of Robert F. Kennedy]] in Los Angeles, then the August [[1968 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Chicago]], had led to a [[1968 riots (disambiguation)|series of riots]] throughout the nation. On November 4, the assault of an [[African Americans|African American]] student athlete by his white coach on the CSUN campus led a group of African American students to hold the acting college president and more than 30 staff members [[hostage]] in the Administration Building for several hours, pressing demands for greater outreach in minority enrollment and employment and the establishment of minority studies departments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Gladwin |date=November 5, 1968 |title=300 Seize College Building in Los Angeles Suburb; Students Relinquish Control after the Acting President Agrees to an Amnesty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/11/05/archives/300-seize-college-building-in-los-angeles-suburb-students.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Davis-Wiener>{{cite book |last1=Davis |first1=Mike |author1-link=Mike Davis (scholar) |last2=Wiener |first2=Jon |author2-link=Jon Wiener |date=2020 |title=[[Set the Night on Fire|Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties]] |location=New York |publisher=Verso Books |chapter=Chapter 29: "The Last Place That Sort of Thing Would Happen:" Valley State (1968-70) }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenwood |first1=Leonard |last2=Torgerson |first2=Dial |date=November 8, 1968 |title= Sit-In Aftermath: Attacks on Faculty Members Told; Acting Chief of Valley State Supported on Legal Action  |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/156149751 }}</ref> No one was hurt and, under duress, the president agreed to their demands.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fanucchi |first=Kenneth |date=December 8, 1968 |title=Shaken Valley State Seeks Peace Formula; Solving Educational Opportunities Problem Held Key to Averting Another Nov. 4 Episode |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/156183177 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Time of the Furnaces|last=Anthony|first=Earl|date=1971|publisher=Dial Press|location=New York}}</ref> After subsequent negotiations, minority enrollment was increased and both the Africana and Chicano/a departments were established.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Steven |date=February 16, 1969 |title=California College, After Strife, is Resolving Racial Problems |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/02/16/archives/california-college-after-strife-is-resolving-racial-problems.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=July 23, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kumbula |first=John |date=January 13, 1969 |title=Valley State Agrees to Establish 2 Ethnic Studies Departments |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/156020227 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Peek-in-the-Stacks/november-4th-incident-0|title=S.F.V.S.C., November 4, 1968 {{!}} Oviatt Library|website=library.csun.edu|date=November 13, 2018 |access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref><ref name=Greenwood>{{cite news |last=Greenwood |first=Leonard |date=February 2, 1969 |title=How Valley State Moved to New Kind of Education; Understanding Resulted from Heated Clashes |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/156086583 }}</ref> Despite an assurance of amnesty, 28 of the students involved were later charged with kidnapping, assault, conspiracy, and false imprisonment,<ref name="CSUN History" /><ref name="Moreland">Pamela Moreland, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-22-me-1929-story.html "Legacy of Turmoil: CSUN Looks Back at Years of Activism at Former Valley State College"]. ''Los Angeles Times'', April 22, 1988. Retrieved June 4, 2016.</ref><ref name="Chandler">John Chandler, "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-12-vw-1155-story.html Professor's Chronicle Takes a Hard Look at History of CSUN]," ''Los Angeles Times'' (December 12, 1993)</ref> according to scholar [[Martha Biondi]] "the most serious crimes ever in the history of campus protest."<ref>{{cite book |last=Biondi |first=Martha |editor1-last=Sinha |editor1-first=Manisha |editor2-last=Von Eschen |editor2-first=Penny|title= Contested Democracy: Freedom, Race, and Power in American History |publisher= Columbia University Press |date=2007 |pages=258–278 |chapter=Chapter 12: Student Protest, Law and Order, and the Origins of African American Studies in California }}</ref>  Nineteen were convicted and three served time in state prison.<ref>{{cite news |last=Einstoss |first=Ron |date=January 29, 1970 |title=3 get prison in Valley State case: 16 others sentenced to jail or put on probation |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/156435517}}</ref> Almost one month later, a fire started by an arsonist gutted the president's office.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Nevin|first=David|date=March 14, 1969|title=Uneasy Peace at Valley State|magazine=Life Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Suddenly a Giant: A History of California State University, Northridge|last=Broesamle|first=John|date=1993|publisher=Santa Susana Press|location=Northridge, CA|page=52 |url=https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/publications/2j62s8469}}</ref> {{multiple image
| align=right

| image1=SWPC-RFK-C004-003.jpg
| alt1=Robert F. Kennedy addresses the crowd at San Fernando Valley State College in 1968

| image2=SWPC-RFK-C006-008.jpg
| alt2=Crowd gathers at San Fernando Valley State College to hear Robert F. Kennedy

| footer=[[Robert F. Kennedy]] addresses the crowd at San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN) in 1968
| footer_align=left
| width=200
}}
Furthermore, several massive antiwar demonstrations took place during 1969–1970, variously resulting in campus shutdowns, heavy police responses, violent clashes, hundreds of arrests, and in a few cases serious injuries to demonstrators.<ref name=Greenwood /><ref name=Davis-Wiener /> The last such demonstration was in May 1971, on the first anniversary of the [[Kent State shootings]].<ref name="Moreland" /><ref name="Lodhy">Neelofer Lodhy, [http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/12/explore-csuns-hidden-history-of-campus-activism/ "Explore CSUN's hidden history of campus activism"]. ''The Sundial'', December 9, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.</ref>

Aside from the demonstrations, the university also catered to [[hippie]] culture when [[Janis Joplin]] performed with [[Big Brother and the Holding Company]] at what is now the [[Matadome]] on May 12, 1968.<ref name="On campus">{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/fall-2018/on_campus|title=On Campus|date=2018-11-30|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Newport Pop Festival]] was held at the [[Devonshire Downs]], now CSUN's North Campus, in June 1969 and attracted 200,000 attendees to watch performances by [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Ike & Tina Turner]], [[Marvin Gaye]], [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] and various others.<ref name="On campus" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Wharton |first=David |date=August 6, 1989 |title=The Lost Love-In : It was the Woodstock they forgot: Newport '69, Los Angeles' own weekend of music, masses and mayhem |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-06-ca-315-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>

Despite the turmoil during this period, the university continued to grow and construction of the [[Oviatt Library]] began on May 19, 1971. The college also officially renamed itself to California State University, Northridge on June 1, 1972, by action of the Legislature and the Board of Trustees of the California State University.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /><ref name="Catalog" /><ref name=Professor />

===1973–1988===
[[File:CSUN Central Campus.JPG|thumb|University Library, opened October 24, 1973]]
On October 24, 1973, the university's library, once named the Oviatt Library and renamed to the University Library in 2020, was completed and opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.csun.edu/About/HistoryOfTheBuilding|title=History of the Building {{!}} Oviatt Library|website=library.csun.edu|date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref> In 1975, the construction of the CSUN sculpture began at the southeast corner of campus after the design by alumnus John T. Banks.<ref name="CSUN History"/> By 1977, enrollment at the university was 28,023, with tuition at $95.<ref name="CSUN History"/> In 1981, the campus officially established a foreign exchange student program with Japan, China, Ukraine, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil and the Netherlands.<ref name="CSUN History"/> In 1988, the campus had an enrollment of 31,575 and a $342 tuition fee.<ref name="CSUN History"/>

In 1974, in partnership with [[UC Santa Barbara]], CSUN opened the Ventura Learning Center in [[Ventura, California|Ventura]]. This became the CSUN Ventura Campus in 1988 and was spun off into [[California State University, Channel Islands]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csuci.edu/about/facts-history/history.htm |title=About CSUCI: Facts & History}}</ref>

===1989–1997===
In 1990, the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics was established; the [[Oviatt Library]] east and west wings were added; and the campus had the California State University system's only fully established astronomy department with a planetarium.<ref name="CSUN History"/>

[[File:Cal state northridge quake damage.jpg|thumb|Earthquake damage sustained by parking structure C after the [[1994 Northridge earthquake]] at CSUN]]
The [[1994 Northridge earthquake]] struck on January 17 and caused $400 million in damage to the campus, the heaviest damage ever sustained by an American college campus.<ref name="CSUN History"/> The epicenter was less than two miles (3&nbsp;km) away on a previously undiscovered [[blind thrust fault]]. Later the same month, Vice President [[Al Gore]] visited with a promise of funds to help with the reconstruction.<ref name="CSUN History"/> Entire sections of the main library, the art building and several other major structures were either physically unusable or too hazardous to occupy. Among the structures judged to be so seriously damaged that repair was not a practical option were the Fine Arts building, designed by noted modernist architect [[Richard Neutra]], and the South Library, the oldest permanent building on campus. The art courtyard survived. Due to inadequate [[earthquake engineering]], the [[parking structure]] next to the [[Matadome]] was completely destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/advancement/pride-and-traditions|title=Pride and Traditions|date=2013-06-13|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12|last3=Northridge|last4=Us|first4=CA 91330 Phone:677-1200 / Contact}}</ref>

Despite the extensive damage, classes for the spring term started only two weeks late.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> The classes were held in rapidly constructed tents and temporary facilities, remaining campus buildings deemed safe for use, and local high schools, community colleges, and [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) while the campus was being rebuilt.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> On January 17, 1995, President [[Bill Clinton]] visited the campus to commemorate the first anniversary of the quake.<ref name="CSUN History" />

===1997–2019===
[[File:Manzanitas Hall.JPG|thumb|Manzanita Hall, one of the buildings constructed as part of the earthquake recovery]]
In April 1999, the Board of CSU trustees decided to give $27 million to construct post-earthquake projects.<ref name="CSUN History"/> The university opened the first Central American Studies program in the nation in May 2000.<ref name="CSUN History"/> In 2003, both University Hall and Manzanita Hall were opened, marking the completion of the earthquake recovery program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.csun.edu/about/university-history/|title=University History|website=catalog.csun.edu|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> California State University trustees on March 15, 2006, voted their unanimous approval of Envision 2035, the Cal State Northridge planning initiative that framed the university's physical development for the next several decades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/envision2035/|title=Cal State Northridge Envision 2035|website=www.csun.edu|access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref> The vote approved the revised master plan as well as an increase in the campus' master plan enrollment capacity from 25,000 to 35,000 full-time equivalent students (FTEs). The trustees also certified the final environmental impact report on the plan. The university in 2007, with clean energy advocates, built the new 1 megawatt [[fuel cell]] [[power plant]] which was the largest of its kind in any university in the world.<ref name="CSUN History"/>

The campus community maintained its legacy of activism when budget cuts and tuition fee hikes were announced during the [[2008 financial crisis]]. Students formed the Students Against Rising Tuition group and protested while [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] visited the campus in February 2008.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> Subsequently, students, staff and faculty protested further cuts introduced by the [[Governor of California|Governor]] later in the year.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> Protests against the budget cuts continued on March 4, 2010, when a statewide protest against the budget cuts was organized, with several professors cancelling class and large numbers of students leaving their classes to join the protests and march down [[Reseda Boulevard]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> The protests resulted in several arrests, but in turn students raised allegations of abusive behavior from the police.<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /> Aside from the protests, politicians continued to visit the campus as in previous decades, this time with visits from [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2008 Democratic presidential candidate]] [[Hillary Clinton]], [[United States Senators]] [[Barbara Boxer]] and [[Dianne Feinstein]], and a visit in 2016 from future [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] (then [[Attorney General of California]]) [[Kamala Harris]].<ref name="Jarosz 2018" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Herstein|first=Olivia|date=2016-11-03|title=Both U.S. Senate Candidates Visit CSUN to Rally Young Voters|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/both-u-s-senate-candidates-visit-csun-to-rally-young-voters/|access-date=2021-09-02|website=CSUN Today}}</ref>

This period also saw increased donations to the university, with gift commitments reaching a record $31.7 million in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/csun-alumni-and-friends-set-new-giving-record/|title=CSUN Alumni and Friends Set New Giving Record|date=2018-11-19|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}</ref> Major donations included $7 million from [[Michael Eisner]] in 2002, $7.3 million from the Bayramian family estate in 2005, $10 million from [[Mike Curb]] in 2006, $10 million from [[David Nazarian]] in 2014, and a then record $17 million from [[Younes Nazarian]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/20080822/5-million-csun-gift-anonymous|title=$5 million CSUN gift anonymous|date=2008-08-22|website=Daily News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref><ref name="Catalog" /> This period also saw an increase in sponsored research.<ref name="Harrison retirement">{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/president/president-dianne-f-harrison-announces-retirement|title=President Dianne F. Harrison Announces Retirement|date=2019-11-21|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>

In 2019, a record 11,627 students graduated from the university.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scvnews.com/csun-readies-for-2019-commencement-ceremonies/|title=CSUN Readies for 2019 Commencement Ceremonies|date=2019-05-07|website=SCVNews.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}</ref> The same year, president [[Dianne F. Harrison]] announced she would retire at the end of June 2020.<ref name="Harrison retirement" />

=== 2020-present ===
Like many other universities around the U.S. and the world, CSUN was heavily affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The university ceased in-person instruction on March 12, 2020, when the pandemic started to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|take hold in the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-11|title=CSUN cancels in-person classes to limit coronavirus spread|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2020/03/11/coronavirus-response-csu-northridge-cancels-in-person-classes|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Daily News|language=en-US}}</ref> Two months later, the [[California State University]] was the first in the nation to announce that fall instruction would also be almost exclusively online.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burke|first=Michael|title=First in nation, California State University to close campuses for in-person instruction this fall|url=https://edsource.org/2020/california-state-university-classes-to-continue-mostly-online-in-fall/631381|access-date=2021-09-01|website=EdSource|language=en}}</ref> The university saw major revenue losses as a result of the pandemic and announced a budget cut in August 2020, despite receiving the 7th largest amount in the nation from the first wave of Covid relief funds under the [[CARES Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agrawal|first=Nina|date=2020-08-24|title=How COVID-19 and budget woes have changed what 'back to school' means at Cal State|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-24/how-covid-19-and-budget-woes-have-changed-what-back-to-school-means-at-cal-state|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bozzi|first=Sloane|title=CSUN to receive $44.6 million from CARES Act|url=https://sundial.csun.edu/157203/news/csun-to-receive-44-6-million-from-cares-act/|access-date=2021-09-01|website=The Sundial}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Carter|first=Shannon|title=CSUN budget cut by $16 million; USU renovation and on-campus hotel delayed|url=https://sundial.csun.edu/159672/news/csun-budget-cut-by-16-million-due-to-the-ramifications-of-covid-19/|access-date=2021-09-01|website=The Sundial}}</ref> In total, CSUN received the most federal Covid relief funds ($265 million) out of all universities in California after the three waves of relief funds from the [[CARES Act]], [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021]], and [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gordon|first=Larry|date=2021-07-09|title=CSUN is getting $265 million in COVID relief, more than any university in California|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-09/csun-is-getting-265-million-in-covid-19-relief-the-most-of-any-university-in-california|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2021, CSUN became a vaccination site. When the site closed in June of the same year, around 250,000 people had been vaccinated on the campus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Devin|date=2021-07-21|title=CSUN Vaccination Site Provided Hope and Service to Nearly 250,000|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/csun-vaccination-site-provided-hope-and-service-to-nearly-250000/|access-date=2021-09-01|website=CSUN Today}}</ref>

CSUN received the two largest donations in its history in 2021. On June 15, 2021, the university announced it had received a donation of $40 million from [[MacKenzie Scott]] and her husband Dan Jewett; the largest gift from a single donor in its history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Carmen|date=15 June 2021|title=CSUN Receives $40 Million Gift from Philanthropist and Author MacKenzie Scott and Husband Dan Jewett|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/csun-leaders/csun-receives-40-million-gift-from-philanthropist-and-author-mackenzie-scott-and-husband-dan-jewett/|access-date=2 September 2021|website=CSUN Today}}</ref> Three months later CSUN announced it had received the second largest donation in its history, $25 million, from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shalby|first=Colleen|date=2021-09-01|title=CSU to create an immersive tech hub to recruit Latinos, others into STEM fields|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-01/cal-state-to-launch-new-stem-focused-hub-at-csun|access-date=2021-09-02|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Chandler 2021">{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Carmen|date=31 August 2021|title=CSU to Launch Global Hispanic Serving Institution Equity Innovation Hub|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/education/csu-to-launch-global-hispanic-serving-institution-equity-innovation-hub/|access-date=2 September 2021|website=CSUN Today}}</ref> The donation, combined with $25 million of state appropriations and over $7 million in support from [[Autodesk]], was used for the establishment of a Global Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub and construction of the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (which houses the hub).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-24 |title=CSUN Breaks Ground on Autodesk Technology Engagement Center, a Project with National Impact |url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/giving/csun-breaks-ground-on-autodesk-technology-engagement-center-a-project-with-national-impact/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=CSUN Today |language=en-US}}</ref> The hub allows for collaboration from across the [[California State University|CSU]] and other [[hispanic-serving institution]]s to improve student success, equity, and prepare students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds for [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] careers. Moreover, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] will provide technology, design support and creative support at the hub as the project matures. The [[public–private partnership]] was made possible by political support from various state politicians, including [[Gavin Newsom|Governor Gavin Newsom]] and [[Alex Padilla|Senator Alex Padilla]],<ref name="Chandler 2021" /> as well as an initial donation of $1 million from [[Autodesk]] for a feasibility study.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galeano|first=Damaris|date=2021-11-08|title=Padilla Announces $1 Million to Support Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub at CSUN|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/uncategorized/padilla-announces-1-million-to-support-global-hsi-equity-innovation-hub-at-csun/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=CSUN Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Carmen Ramos|date=2020-01-15|title=CSUN Receives $1 Million Gift from Autodesk for a 'Center of Possibilities'|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/media-releases/csun-receives-1-million-gift-from-autodesk-for-a-center-of-possibilities/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=CSUN Today}}</ref>

During this time period the university also completed construction of Maple Hall, which was financed by $49.9 million of CSU funds. The completion of this building cleared the way to renovate neighboring Sierra Hall, pending funding and construction approval.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=Meet Maple Hall: CSUN's First New Academic Classroom Building in 15 Years |url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/meet-maple-hall-csuns-first-new-academic-classroom-building-in-15-years/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=CSUN Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Academics==
=== Admissions ===
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023
|-
! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |title=College Scorecard: California State University-Northridge |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?110608-California-State-University-Northridge |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|57|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|19|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|9|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[Foreign national]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:brown}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|56|%|2||background:blue}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|44|%|2||background:red}}
|}

In the fall of 2018, there were 60,519 applicants, of which 31,102 were admitted for an acceptance rate of 51.4%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.calstate.edu/as/stat_reports/2018-2019/apps_f2018_all.htm|title=CSU New Students (Duplicated) Applications and Admissions by Campus and Student Level, 2018|website=www.calstate.edu|access-date=2019-07-07|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518085628/http://www.calstate.edu/as/stat_reports/2018-2019/apps_f2018_all.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of fall 2018, CSUN has the largest enrollment percentage of [[Latin Americans|Latino]] Americans that are not Mexican American in the Cal State system.<ref name="ethnic">{{Cite web|url=https://www.calstate.edu/as/stat_reports/2018-2019/feth02.htm|title=Ethnicity Enrollment Profile|website=www.calstate.edu|access-date=2019-07-09|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025201228/https://www.calstate.edu/as/stat_reports/2018-2019/feth02.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> These are Latino Americans with heritage from [[Central America]], [[South America]] and the [[Caribbean]]. In addition, CSUN has the third largest enrollment percentage of non-residents in the California State University system.<ref name="ethnic"/>

<big>'''Fall freshman statistics'''</big><ref>{{cite web |title=CSUN Common Data Set|url=https://www.csun.edu/institutional-research/explore-csun-data/common-data-set|access-date=26 May 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! &nbsp; !! 2024 !! 2023 !! 2022 !! 2021 !! 2020
|-
!Freshman applicants
| 33,350 || 30,098 || 26,276 || 23,656 || 27,738
|-
! Admits
| 30,842 || 27,748 || 23,687 || 20,842 || 18,253
|-
! % Admitted
| {{#expr:(((30842)/(33350))*100)round1}}% || {{#expr:(((27748)/(30098))*100)round1}}% || {{#expr:(((23687)/(26276))*100)round1}}% || {{#expr:(((20842)/(23656))*100)round1}}% || {{#expr:(((18253)/(27738))*100)round1}}%
|-
! Enrolled
| 5,543 || 5,545 || 4,972 || 4,708 || 4,010
|-
! GPA
| 3.33 || 3.37 || 3.42 || 3.38 || 3.39
|}

===International students===
For the academic year 2015–2016, the number of foreign students who attended U.S. institutions exceeded the one million mark. During the same year, CSUN was ranked as the number one Master's institution, having the highest number of international students in the United States. The total number of international students for that academic year totaled 3,924.<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2017|title=U.S. Institutions With the Most Foreign Students, 2015-16.|journal=Chronicle of Higher Education}}</ref>

===Colleges===
CSUN is divided into nine colleges:
*[[Mike Curb]] College of Arts, Media, & Communication
*College of Humanities
*College of Science and Mathematics
*College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
*[[David Nazarian]] College of Business & Economics
*[[Michael D. Eisner]] College of Education
*College of Engineering & Computer Science
*College of Health & Human Development
*Roland Tseng College of Extended Learning

===Joint degrees===
The university, in partnership with [[Southwestern Law School]], offers a dual B.A./J.D degree. The program allows students to graduate within six years instead of the traditional seven if both degrees were taken separately. The program began in fall 2014 with an estimated cohort size of 35 students. In addition, students accepted into the program receive an initial $10,000 Wildman/Schumacher entering student scholarship. Students in the program will have their first year of law school double count as their fourth year of undergraduate education.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/undergraduate-studies/bajd |title=3+3 B.A./J.D. – Success in Six &#124; California State University, Northridge |publisher=Csun.edu |date= 2016-08-17|access-date=2015-10-18}}</ref>

==== Community College Collaboratives ====
CSUN offers a pathway program for academic progression in the field of Nursing that links CSUN with designated California Community College (CC) partners.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Community College Collaboratives|url = http://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/nursing/community-college-collaboratives|website = California State University, Northridge|access-date = 2015-11-05|date = 2015-02-06}}</ref> This program enables students who are interested in attaining an ADN to earn a BSN degree in {{frac|2|1|2}} years. Students will be concurrently enrolled in both nursing programs, taking courses for their BSN while completing their associate degree at the community college. On completion of their ADN students will be able to complete their BSN in one year. Students must be accepted into an ADN program at one of the participating community colleges.

The following California Community Colleges are currently partnered up with CSUN Nursing: [[Glendale Community College (California)|Glendale Community College]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Glendale Community College : Nursing|url = http://www.glendale.edu/index.aspx?page=809|website = www.glendale.edu|access-date = 2015-11-05|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084430/http://www.glendale.edu/index.aspx?page=809|archive-date = March 4, 2016|df = mdy-all}}</ref> [[College of the Canyons]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Home|url = http://www.canyons.edu/Departments/NURSNG/Pages/default.aspx|website = www.canyons.edu|access-date = 2015-11-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151104111716/http://www.canyons.edu/Departments/NURSNG/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date = November 4, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Los Angeles Valley College]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = LAVC Nursing Program|url = https://sites.google.com/site/lavcnursingprogram/|website = sites.google.com|access-date = 2015-11-05|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150325123017/https://sites.google.com/site/lavcnursingprogram/|archive-date = March 25, 2015|df = mdy-all}}</ref> and [[Los Angeles Pierce College|Pierce College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = piercecollege.edu/departments/nursing|url = http://www.piercecollege.edu/departments/nursing/|website = www.piercecollege.edu|access-date = 2015-11-05}}</ref>

===Central American Studies Department===
Central American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic space with an emphasis on the transnational character of Central America. The department is the only program to focus on [[Central Americans in Los Angeles|Central Americans]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Larry |date=March 9, 2008 |title=Central American studies gaining acceptance |url=http://www.csun.edu/pubrels/clips/March08/03-10-08C.pdf |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 23, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-18/central-american-studies-united-states|title=Central Americans have long migrated north. Today, their studies are getting their due|date=2020-02-18|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref> The Central American Studies program was established in 2000 after years of lobbying were derailed by the 1994 Northridge earthquake.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-09-me-28176-story.html|title=CSUN Focuses on Central America|last=Moore|first=Solomon|date=2000-05-09|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-05-26|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> The program began with a minor which required 18 units for graduation and developed into a Bachelor of Arts program with 13 graduates in 2017.

==Research==
Since 2015, CSUN receives around $35 million annually in research funding from over 210 awards each year.<ref name=dashboard>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/research-graduate-studies/research-sponsored-programs/dashboards|title=Award Data Dashboard|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2024-06-26|language=en|date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> For the most recent fiscal year of 2024, CSUN received funding of around $45 million from 230 grants.<ref name=dashboard/> The College of Math and Science at CSUN is the biggest recipient of grant money, with around $11.4 million in funding in fiscal year 2024.<ref name=dashboard/> Its faculty are published in numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/research|title=Research|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref>

To support research activities for both faculty and students, CSUN built a {{convert|10,000|sqft|adj=on}} research facility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/homepage/csun-breaks-ground-10000-square-foot-research-building|title=CSUN breaks ground on 10,000-square-foot Research Building|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en}}</ref> Half of this building, named Lilac Hall, is currently occupied by The Health Equity Research & Education (HERE) Center, which is funded by a $22 million [[NIH]] grant to support biomedical and [[health equity]] research at CSUN in the form of the BUILD PODER program; the other half of the building houses a [[laser]] lab containing [[femtosecond]] lasers to study energy flows and electric charges in [[nanomaterials]], with the intention to design more efficient solar energy devices and nanomaterial-based [[photothermal therapy]] for cancer treatment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/build-poder/here-center|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en|title=Health Equity Research & Education Center|date=June 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/csun-unveils-collaborative-research-building-lilac-hall/|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en|title=CSUN Unveils Collaborative Research Building Lilac Hall &#124; CSUN Today}}</ref> Another major research program at CSUN is the CSUN-UCLA Bridges to Stem Cell Research program. This ongoing collaboration allows undergraduate students to perform research in one of 50 [[stem cell]] research labs headed by UCLA faculty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/biology/stem-cell-training-program|title=Stem Cell Training Program|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en|date=September 19, 2013}}</ref> CSUN has also been collaborating with the Princeton Center for Complex Materials at [[Princeton University]] since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0611562|title=NSF Award Search: Award#0611562 - PREM - Multidisciplinary Research and Education in Computational Materials Science|website=www.nsf.gov|access-date=2019-05-13}}</ref> It is also a co-founder and partner institution of the Research Center for Translational Applications of Nanoscale Multiferroic Systems (TANMS), which was established at [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] through an $18.5 million [[National Science Foundation|NSF]] grant in 2012. Other institutions involved at the center include [[Cornell University]], [[University of California, Berkeley]], [[ETH Zurich]], [[University of Texas at Dallas]] and [[Northeastern University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/wmkeck-computational-materials-theory-center/news/csun-part-new-national-effort-revolutionize|title=CSUN Part of New National Effort to Revolutionize Nanoscale Electromagnetic Devices|date=2015-02-19|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tanms-erc.org/home/about|title=About Us - TANMS Engineering Research Center|website=www.tanms-erc.org|access-date=2019-11-22|archive-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029223708/http://www.tanms-erc.org/home/about|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the university received $3 million from [[NASA]] to establish the NASA Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM. The interdisciplinary research center will comprehensively study increasingly autonomous (IA) systems, such as [[artificial intelligence]] and [[automation]], through the collaboration between six of the university's colleges, while also collaborating with researchers from NASA's [[Armstrong Flight Research Center]] and [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/education/csun-receives-3-million-from-nasa-to-study-all-aspects-of-artificial-intelligence/|title=CSUN Receives $3 Million from NASA to Study All Aspects of Artificial Intelligence|date=2019-10-22|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref>
[[File:ISS-47 CubeSat deployment - STMSat-1 and NODeS satellites.jpg|thumb|CubeSats being deployed by [[NanoRacks]] deployer]]
CSUN is also home to the San Fernando Observatory. It has operated this [[observatory]] since 1976 and moved the observatory from its location in [[Sylmar]] to the campus in 2016.<ref name=observatory>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/physics-astronomy/new-san-fernando-observatory-csun|title=New San Fernando Observatory at CSUN|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2019-01-08|language=en|date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> The observatory mainly functions as a solar observatory, and due to its decades long operation by CSUN, has allowed hundreds of students and faculty members to collect solar data.<ref name=observatory/> The photometric images from this facility are used to determine energy changes in the sun and the data collected by this observatory are used by researchers worldwide.<ref name=observatory/> The observatory, in combination with the Donald E. Bianchi Planetarium and the stellar (nighttime) observatory, form the only comprehensive astronomy network in the entire California State University system.<ref name=observatory/>

Additionally, over 70 CSUN Engineering and Computer Science students designed, built, programmed, and tested a [[CubeSat]] named CSUNSat1, which was funded by [[NASA]]'s Small Spacecraft Technology Partnership program.<ref name = CubeSat>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/cubesat/|title=CSUNSat1: A California State University Northridge (CSUN) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Collaboration|author=California State University, Northridge|access-date=March 24, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref name = NASA>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/elana-xvii_oa7-factsheet_508_0.pdf|title=ELaNa XVII International Space Station CubeSat Deployment|author=NASA|access-date=March 24, 2019|language=en|archive-date=June 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601043237/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/elana-xvii_oa7-factsheet_508_0.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its mission is to test a [[thermal energy storage|low temperature-capable energy storage system]] in space, developed by [[JPL]], which will raise the [[technology readiness level]] of this storage system from 4 or 5 to 7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nanoracks.com/cubesat-deployer-mission-11-update|title=NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer Mission 11 Status Update: Good Deploy!|author=Nanoracks|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=March 24, 2019|language=en}}</ref> The success of this energy storage system will enable future space missions and scientific studies to conduct more experiments while requiring less energy, mass, and volume.<ref name = NASA/> The satellite was launched on 18 April 2017 as part of the ELaNa 17 mission by NASA on the [[Cygnus CRS OA-7]] from [[Kennedy Space Center]] in [[Cape Canaveral]] to the [[ISS]].<ref name = CubeSat/> The satellite was deployed by [[NanoRacks]] on May 17, 2017, and the nominal and cold temperature experiments were completed on June 18, 2017.<ref name = CubeSat/> The satellite is still operational and proceeding with its mission operations.<ref name = CubeSat/>

Various faculty members have been awarded prestigious [[Guggenheim Fellowship]]s for research and creative activity,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/csun-emeritus-professor-receives-guggenheim-fellowship/|title=CSUN Emeritus Professor Receives Guggenheim Fellowship|date=2013-07-26|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-25-me-58655-story.html|title=Northridge: Professor Wins Guggenheim Grant|date=1995-04-25|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> while over 50 have won Fulbright awards to conduct research or teach abroad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/csun-to-host-fulbrights-70th-anniversary-gala/|title=CSUN to Host Fulbright's 70th Anniversary Gala|date=2016-06-07|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Recipients of the [[Guggenheim Fellowship]]s have included [[Kim Victoria Abeles]], [[Judy Baca]], and [[Sabina Magliocco]].

==Rankings and recognition==
{{Prose|section|date=February 2025}}
<!-- Please put department-specific rankings in an article for that particular college-->
{{columns-start|num=3}}
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Forbes = 207
| THE_WSJ = 53
| USNWR_REG = 20
| Wamo_MASTERSU = 4
}}
{{column}}
{|class="wikitable floatright" style="width: 22em;" | colspan="2" | 
|+2025–2026 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings<ref name=USNWR>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/california-state-university-northridge-1153/overall-rankings |title=California State University - Northridge Rankings |access-date=2020-09-24 |magazine=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>
|-
| Top Public Schools
| 10
|-
| Top Performers on Social Mobility 
| 16 (tie)
|-
| Best Undergraduate [[Engineering]] Programs
| 60 (At schools where doctorate not offered)
|- 
| [[Computer Engineering]]
| 9 (2022–2023)
|-
| [[Economics]] 
| 240 (tie)
|-
| [[Nursing]] 
| 186
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:right" | colspan="2" | 
|+2024 USNWR Graduate School Rankings<ref name="USNWR Grad School Rankings">{{cite magazine|title=California State University–Northridge - U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings|magazine=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=December 15, 2020|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/california-state-university-northridge-110608/overall-rankings}}</ref>
|-
! Program
! Ranking
|-
| [[Health Care Management]]
| 57 (tie)
|-
| [[Fine Arts]]
| 89 (tie)
|-
| [[Social Work]]
| 95 (tie)
|-
| Part-time [[MBA]] 
| 117 (tie)
|-
| [[Physical Therapy]]
| 132 (tie)
|-
| [[Public health]]
| 137 (tie)
|-
| [[Speech–language pathology|Speech–Language Pathology]]
| 140 (tie)
|-
| [[Public policy school|Public Affairs]] Program
| 182 (tie)
|}
{{columns-end}}
* The 2023 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings ranks Northridge 13 on Top [[Public university|Public Schools]], 15 on Top Performers on Social Mobility.
* The [[Wall Street Journal]] ranked CSUN 2	on Most [[Diversity (business)|Diverse]] Learning Environment in the Nation and [[Sierra Magazine]] 35 on Sustainable "Cool Schools."
* The 2022 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings ranks Northridge 13 on best [[Undergraduate]] Teaching, 18 on Top [[Public university|Public Schools]], 19 on Top Performers on Social Mobility.
* Money Magazine ranked CSUN 45th in the nation out of the nearly 750 schools it included for its 2020-21 Best Colleges ranking.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=MONEY's 2020-21 Best Colleges Ranking |url=https://money.com/best-colleges/|magazine= Money|date=2020 |access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> It also ranked the university 29th among the nation's public colleges.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Best Public Colleges |url=http://money.com/money/best-colleges/rankings/best-public-colleges/|magazine= Money|date=2020 |access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref>
* CSUN was ranked 730th globally among universities by the 2020 [[Nature Index]] for the share of publications in high-impact journals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Institution outputs |url=https://www.natureindex.com/institution-outputs/generate/All/global/academic/score/1|access-date=2021-03-15|website=www.natureindex.com}}</ref>
* CSUN has been consistently recognized as having one of the best film schools in the U.S. and in the world.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://variety.com/2017/film/spotlight/entertainment-education-film-school-roundup-1202395702/ |title= Entertainment Education: Stellar Film Schools in 2017 |magazine= Variety |access-date= March 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://variety.com/2018/film/spotlight/entertainment-education-film-school-stars-1202785789/ |title= Entertainment Education Report: The Best Film Schools in 2018 |magazine= Variety |access-date= March 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.thewrap.com/top-50-film-schools-2018-ranked-from-usc-to-asu/ |title= Top 50 Film Schools of 2018 Ranked, From USC to ASU |publisher= The Wrap |access-date= March 24, 2019|date= October 22, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.thewrap.com/top-50-film-schools-ranked/ |title= The Top 50 Film Schools, Ranked, in 2016 |publisher= The Wrap |access-date= March 24, 2019|date= February 13, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-film-schools-2016-top-united-states-rankings-920344/item/cal-state-university-northridge-25-920389 |title= THR Ranks the Top 25 American Film Schools |magazine= The Hollywood Reporter |access-date= March 24, 2019}}</ref> Its music school holds the same recognition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/csuns-music-program-ranked-among-the-top-25-by-the-hollywood-reporter/|title=CSUN's Music Program Ranked Among the Top 25 by The Hollywood Reporter|date=2016-12-08|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/hollywood-reporter-csuns-film-composing-school-among-worlds-best/|title=The Hollywood Reporter: CSUN's Film Composing School Among World's Best|date=2019-01-07|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
* In 2020, ''[[Washington Monthly]]'' ranked CSUN 6th for "Best Bang for the Buck" out of 215 schools in the U.S. western region.<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West|url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020-best-bang-for-the-buck-rankings-west-2/ |magazine=Washington Monthly |date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref>
* Forbes ranked CSUN 92nd in its 2019 ranking of America's Best Value Colleges out of the 300 universities that were included.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/value-colleges/list/#tab:rank |title=America's Best Value Colleges |magazine=Forbes|date=2018|access-date=2019-07-07}}</ref>
* CSUN was ranked 4th in the United States by the Social Mobility Index 2020 college rankings.<ref>{{cite web|author=CollegeNET |url=http://www.socialmobilityindex.org |title=Social Mobility Index 2020 - CollegeNET |publisher=Socialmobilityindex.org |access-date=2021-03-15}}</ref>
* CSUN was ranked 3rd in the nation and 1st in California in the amount of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine |url=https://www.hispanicoutlook.com/articles/total-b-degrees-granted-2017 |title=Total B.A. Degrees Granted 2017 |publisher=Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics 2018 |date= August 2018 |access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> CSUN was also ranked 10th nationally and 4th in California in the amount of master's degrees awarded to Hispanics.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine |url=https://www.hispanicoutlook.com/articles/total-b-degrees-granted-2017 |title=Total Master's Degree in 2017 |publisher=Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics 2018 |date= August 2018 |access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref>
* As of 2024, CSUN ranked 9th among the top 25 undergraduate schools whose alumni pass the California Bar Exam (1st among the CSU campuses), accounting for almost 4,000 attorneys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search :: The State Bar of California |url=http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/demographics.aspx |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=members.calbar.ca.gov}}</ref>
* The undergraduate engineering program ranked fifth among California public colleges (Masters level) and fourteenth among U.S. public colleges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/california-state-university-northridge-110608/overall-rankings|title=California State University-Northridge - Overall Rankings - Best College - US News|access-date=June 18, 2013|archive-date=August 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830082204/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/california-state-university-northridge-110608/overall-rankings|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* CSUN, in collaboration with the [[LA Cleantech Incubator]], ranked 10th worldwide as a top business incubator in 2017/2018.<ref name=UBI>{{cite web |url=https://ubi-global.com/rankings/ |title=World Rankings Report 17/18: Rankings and Recognition of University-Linked Business Incubators and Accelerators |work=UBI Global &#124; Innovation Intelligence Company and Community |publisher=UBI Global |date=February 2018}}</ref> LA Cleantech Incubator also collaborates with [[UCLA]], [[Caltech]], [[University of Southern California]], and [[California State University, Los Angeles]].<ref name=UBI/> 
* The College of Business and Economics has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its vital role in promoting international trade in the Los Angeles area.<ref>[http://www.csun.edu/ua/marketing-and-communications/press_releases/Spring08/businessrec.html CSUN's College of Business and Economics Recognized by U.S. Department of Commerce] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201195612/http://www.csun.edu/ua/marketing-and-communications/press_releases/Spring08/businessrec.html |date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref>
* In 2018, CSUN was designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University by the [[Association of Public and Land-grant Universities|APLU]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aplu.org/projects-and-initiatives/economic-development-and-community-engagement/innovation-and-economic-prosperity-universities-designation-and-awards-program/designees.html|title=IEP University Designees|publisher=APLU|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927034002/http://www.aplu.org/projects-and-initiatives/economic-development-and-community-engagement/innovation-and-economic-prosperity-universities-designation-and-awards-program/designees.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Campus==
===Locations of interest===
The [[California State University Northridge Botanic Garden|CSUN Botanic Garden]] is located in the southeast quad, near the intersection of Zelzah Avenue and [[Nordhoff Street]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csun.edu/maps/cm1.html |title=MAP |publisher=Csun.edu |date= 2013-07-09|access-date=March 28, 2012}}</ref> It is part of the Biology Department for university curriculum, and also a regionally important demonstration [[garden]] and educational resource for the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/botanicgarden/about.html |title=INTRO |publisher=Csun.edu |access-date=March 28, 2012}}</ref> It has new focus projects for plants usable for regionally local [[sustainable landscaping]] using [[sustainable gardening]] techniques and studying and 'planting' [[ethnobotany]] insights and links.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/botanicgarden/vision.html |title=Vision |publisher=Csun.edu |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> One of the few remaining [[History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915|historic]] ({{circa|1920s}}) [[Orange (fruit)|orange]] [[Orchard|groves]] is thriving on the southeastern campus quad. The citrus industry formerly had groves covering much of the [[San Fernando Valley]]. The rows of large eucalyptus trees, historic windbreaks for agricultural fields from the late 19th century, are found towering over the perimeters of the campus, surviving planners developing campus expansions with valor.<ref>[http://digital-library.csun.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/SFVH&CISOPTR=3549&CISOBOX=1&REC=8 Valley Citrus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407024420/http://digital-library.csun.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=%2FSFVH&CISOPTR=3549&CISOBOX=1&REC=8 |date=April 7, 2012 }}, Oviatt Library Digital Archives (Access date: December 13, 2011)</ref>

===University Library===
{{Main|Oviatt Library}}
[[File:OviattLibrary.jpg|thumb|Oviatt Library in 2009, since renamed University Library]]

The CSUN University Library provides educational, cultural and information services and resources to the students and faculty. Its primary mission is to support and supplement classroom and independent learning; facilitate student and faculty research; and provide students with lifelong skills in identifying, locating, evaluating and synchronizing information.

All library materials are housed in the University Library, a {{convert|234712|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility. The library maintains its own AS/RS ([[Automated Storage and Retrieval System]]) with the capacity of 1.7 million volumes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.csun.edu/About/ASRS |title=library.csun.edu |date=May 13, 2009 |publisher=digital-library.csun.edu |access-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708002241/http://library.csun.edu/About/ASRS |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chu |first=Henry |date=October 25, 1991 |title=Robotic Library : Information: CSUN students and staff can request selections through computers and have them delivered automatically. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-25-me-173-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 24, 2019 }}</ref>

The University Library has a physical collection containing 1.3 million volumes, of which over one million are books, and over 245,000 bound periodical volumes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.csun.edu/About/LibraryStatistics|title=Library Statistics, 2015-2016 - Oviatt Library|work=CSUN University Library |date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> The library subscribes to over 84,000 online journals, 200 online databases and more than 500,000 ebooks. The microform collection contains 3.1 million pieces. There are over 14,000 sound recordings and over 60,000 film and video recordings. The Special Collections & Archives section of the University Library has possibly the "second largest private collection on human sexuality" after the [[Kinsey Institute]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Dave |last=MacNeal |url=http://sundial.csun.edu/2008/12/pornconnectionataleoftwostashes/ |title=Porn Connection: A Tale of two stashes |publisher=Daily Sundial |date=December 4, 2008}}</ref>

In 2019, CSUN president [[Dianne F. Harrison]] appointed a campus committee to investigate whether the Oviatt Library should be renamed due to allegations of racism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mayorquin |first1=Orlando |last2=Moran-Perez |first2=Gillian |date=June 25, 2020 |title=CSUN considers renaming Oviatt Library after students claim Delmar T. Oviatt was racist |url=https://sundial.csun.edu/158835/news/csun-considers-renaming-oviatt-library-after-students-claim-delmar-t-oviatt-was-racist/ |work=Daily Sundial |location=Northridge, California |access-date=July 2, 2020 }}</ref> They recommended that the name of be removed and the name was changed to University Library in December 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bozzi |first=Sloane |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Oviatt name removed from CSUN library, lawn effective immediately |url=https://sundial.csun.edu/162366/news/oviatt-name-removed-from-csun-library-lawn-effective-immediately/ |work=Daily Sundial |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref>

====Other collections====
Other campus departments and centers with collections:
* The Geography Department holds a large collection of [[Sanborn maps]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Greg |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Historical Atlases Rescued from the Trash Could Be a Boon to Historians |url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/historical-atlas-maps-american-west/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304062752/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/historical-atlas-maps-american-west/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2017 |magazine=National Geographic |access-date=January 21, 2019 }}</ref>
* The Script Library in Manzanita Hall features over 800 [[screenplay]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csun.edu/mike-curb-arts-media-communication/cinema-television-arts/script-library |title=Script Library |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Department of Cinema and Television Arts |date=November 30, 2012 |publisher=California State University, Northridge |access-date=September 29, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>

===Earthquake Sculpture Garden===
Opened in 2003, the Earthquake Sculpture Garden was created as a means to commemorate those affected by the 1994 Northridge earthquake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-31-me-garden31-story.html|title = School Sculpture Garden Commemorates '94 Quake|website = [[Los Angeles Times]]|date = January 31, 2003}}</ref>

===Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts===
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Valley Performing Arts Center) is a performance venue completed in 2011 at a cost of $125 million. Its {{cvt|166,000|sqft}} houses a 1,700-seat three-tier concert hall and a 175-seat [[black box theater]], as well as rehearsal rooms, academic and production support spaces, classrooms, and a lecture hall.<ref>Ezarik, Melissa. [http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/valley-performing-arts-center-cal-state-northridge Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State, Northridge.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025171332/http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/valley-performing-arts-center-cal-state-northridge |date=October 25, 2015 }} University Business. April 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2015.</ref><ref>Ng, David. [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jan-31-la-et-valley-performing-arts-20110131-story.html A star-studded opening for the Valley Performing Arts Center.] Los Angeles ''Times.'' January 31, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2015.</ref> In 2017, [[Younes Nazarian]] and his wife, Soraya Nazarian, donated $17 million to rename the Valley Performing Arts Center to the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, also known as [https://www.thesoraya.org The Soraya].<ref name="bhcouriernazarianfamilydonates">{{cite news|title=Nazarian Family Donates $17M Gift To CSUN Performing Arts Center|url=http://bhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/072117Fissue.pdf|access-date=July 22, 2017|work=The Beverly Hills Courier|date=July 21, 2017|pages=1; 16|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914103156/https://bhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/072117Fissue.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Student Recreation Center (Cal State, Northridge).jpg|thumb|right|Student Recreation Center]]

===University Student Union===
The University Student Union or USU, is a non-profit student organization that strives to better the college experience. The USU provides a variety of involvement opportunities, programs, services, and job opportunities.<ref name="University Student Union">{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/usu|title=University Student Union|work=California State University, Northridge |access-date=December 16, 2014|date=2013-02-06}}</ref> In July 2019, it was announced that the USU complex will be reconstructed and expanded. The project is named "The New Heart of Campus" and will cost an estimated $130 million to both replace the old USU complex with a new three story, {{convert|79,800|sqft|adj=on}} complex and renovate an additional {{convert|49,900|sqft}}. This project will be financed by both an additional student fee and $24 million in reserves from the University Student Union itself. Construction is set to begin in spring 2020 and the estimated opening date will be in the 2022–2023 academic year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/designing-a-new-heart-of-campus-usu-launches-historic-renovation-and-expansion/|title=Designing a New Heart of Campus: USU Launches Historic Renovation and Expansion|last=Colin|first=Perla|date=2019-07-10|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-07}}</ref>

=== Veteran Resource Center ===
The Veteran Resource Center (VRC) is located within the University Student Union (USU). The VRC is a designated area for veteran students for support as they transition from military service to academia. The VRC is open to all CSUN students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/vrc/mentor-program|title=Mentor Program|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref>

=== Oasis Wellness Center ===
The Oasis Wellness Center is located beneath the USU computer lab and next to the Plaza Pool. It is described as a place of peace and tranquility in order to help achieve academic success. It provides massage therapy, power-napping sleep pods by appointment, nutrition classes, and yoga. The Oasis Wellness Center is open to all CSUN students.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.csun.edu/oasis|title=Oasis Wellness Center|date=2015-02-12|newspaper=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref>

=== CSUN Food Pantry ===
The CSUN Food Pantry provides food and personal care items, free of cost. This service opened in 2017, and is open to any CSUN student, staff/faculty, and local community members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csun.edu/mic/csun-food-pantry|title=CSUN Food Pantry|date=2016-10-18|work=California State University, Northridge|access-date=2017-10-31|language=en}}</ref>

===National Center on Deafness===
The [[National Center on Deafness]] was established in 1972. Support services such as sign language interpreters, ''[[Communication Access Real-Time Translation|real-time captioners]]'', and notetakers are coordinated from this center, as well as serving as a location of academic advisement and gathering of deaf students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.csun.edu/50/CSUNCommunity.html|title=Fifty and fabulous|publisher=California State University Northridge}}</ref>

Since 1988 the '''Strache Leadership Award''' has been awarded at the [[CSUN Assistive Technology Conference|CSUN Conference]] for leadership in the field of disability and technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference-awards|title=The Strache Leadership Award|date=November 15, 2017 |publisher=California State University Northridge}}</ref> The award recognizes the role of education and mentorship while remaining a leader in their field.

Since 2013 the [[CSUN Assistive Technology Conference|CSUN Conference]] has issued a Call for Papers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/cod/journal-call-papers|publisher=California State University Northridge|title=Journal Call for Papers |date=April 14, 2014 }}</ref> and selected papers become part of the ''Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities''. In 2018, Journal began providing awards for The Dr. Arthur I. Karshmer Award for Assistive Technology Research for leading researchers in [[Assistive Technology]], [[Accessibility]] and [[Inclusion (disability rights)|Inclusion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/cod/journal-awards|title=The Dr. Arthur I. Karshmer Award for Assistive Technology Research |date=November 9, 2017 |publisher=California State University Northridge}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{main|Cal State Northridge Matadors}}

{{see also|Cal State Northridge Matadors men's basketball}}
[[File:Matadome.jpg|thumb|The entrance to the [[Matadome]]]]
CSUN fields [http://www.gomatadors.com/ 19 teams] at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Division I level. CSUN fields both men's and women's teams in [[basketball]], [[cross country running|cross country]], [[golf]], [[soccer]], indoor and outdoor [[track and field]], and [[volleyball]]. CSUN also has [[baseball]] and [[softball]] and fields women's teams in [[beach volleyball]], [[tennis]] and [[water polo]]. Due to state and university budget deficits, CSUN dropped [[American football|football]] following the 2001 season. The football team cost the university $1 million a year and had little fan support.<ref>CSUN May Punt Expensive Football Team, Oct. 3, 2001, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-03-me-52766-story.html</ref> CSUN also dropped men's and women's swimming in 2010 due to a statewide and campus budget crisis.<ref>Cal State Northridge Announces Discontinuation of Men's and Women's Swimming Programs, March 1, 2010, {{cite web |url=http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/03/swimming/ |title=Cal State Northridge Announces Discontinuation of Men's and Women's Swimming Programs – Newsroom – California State University, Northridge |access-date=2013-12-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211152421/http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/03/swimming/ |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> CSUN is one of only 45 schools in the nation that has a [[beach volleyball]] program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegesand.org/schools |title=sandy schools - CollegeSand.org: Your Guide to Collegiate Sand Volleyball |publisher=CollegeSand.org |access-date=2014-08-17}}</ref>

CSUN moved up to Division I in 1990. Before moving up, the university won 34 national titles at the Division II level which still ranks third all time.<ref name="gomatadors1">{{cite web |url=http://gomatadors.com/Traditions.pdf |title=CSUN |publisher=Gomatadors.com |access-date=2014-08-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502031801/http://gomatadors.com/Traditions.pdf |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> CSUN was a member of the [[Big Sky Conference]] from 1996 to 2001. They have been a member of the [[Big West Conference]] ever since for most sports. The men's and women's indoor [[track and field]] teams and the men's [[volleyball]] team compete in the [[Mountain Pacific Sports Federation]] instead.

[[File:Florence Griffith Joyner2.jpg|thumb|left|Alumna [[Florence Griffith Joyner]] is considered the fastest woman of all time;<ref>{{cite news| title=FloJo: World's Fastest Woman|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/features/joyner/gallery/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010215043312/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/features/joyner/gallery/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2001 | work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2011-06-22-carmelita-jeter-womens-100_n.htm | work=USA Today | title=World's fastest woman Carmelita Jeter seeks Olympic gold | date=June 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.legacy.com/ns/news-story.aspx?t=florence-griffith-joyner--the-fastest-woman-on-earth&id=196 Florence Griffith Joyner: Fastest Woman on Earth]. Legacy.com. December 21, 2010.</ref> the world records she set in 1988 for both the [[100 m]] and [[200 m]] still stand. ]]

Since moving up to Division I CSUN has produced two NCAA national runner-up teams: the men's volleyball team in 1993 and softball team in 1994.<ref name="gomatadors1"/> The Matadors softball team has appeared in three [[Women's College World Series]] in 1981, 1993 and 1994, advancing to the title game in [[1994 Women's College World Series|1994]] before falling to Arizona.<ref name="Plummer">{{cite book|title=A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series|first1=William|last1=Plummer|first2=Larry C.|last2=Floyd|year=2013|publisher= Turnkey Communications Inc.|location= Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States|isbn=978-0-9893007-0-4}}</ref> In 2010 the men's volleyball team spent several weeks as the number one ranked team in the nation and also made the Final Four but lost to [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] in a semi-final match.<ref name="gomatadors1"/>

The men's basketball team has made it to the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] two times in 2001 and 2009. The team made it to three Big Sky championship games in 1997, 2000 and 2001. CSUN beat [[Eastern Washington University|Eastern Washington]] in 2001 to advance to their first NCAA tournament. CSUN was seeded 13th and lost to the fourth seed [[University of Kansas|Kansas]] in the round of 64. CSUN has played in two Big West championship games in 2004 and 2009. CSUN beat [[University of the Pacific (United States)|Pacific]] in 2009 and was seeded 15th in the NCAA tournament and lost to the second seed [[University of Memphis|Memphis]].

The women's basketball team won the Big West Championship for the first time in 2014. They were the 16th seed in the [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] and lost to the first seed [[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]].

CSUN men's Soccer reached the 3rd Round of the 2006 NCAA tournament, knocking out Big West Conference rival [[UCSB soccer|UC Santa Barbara]] in the 2nd Round.

The Women's Track and Field team won six straight Big West titles from 2006 to 2011. The men's Track and Field team has won three Big West titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The men's and Women's Basketball and Volleyball teams all play in the 2,500 seats [[Matadome]] located in Redwood Hall.

CSUN's sports teams are known as the [[Matador]]s. In 1958 a student vote chose the school colors red and white and 'Matadors' as the school mascot over 158 nominations for possible nicknames.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/aboutCSUN/history/calstatenorthridge.html |title=CSUN Traditions and Special Characteristics |publisher=Csun.edu |access-date=2014-08-17}}</ref> Matadors was elected over four other finalists Apollos, Falcons, Rancheros and Titans.

The men's and women's boxing teams compete in the [[National Collegiate Boxing Association]]. CSU hosted the 2016 national championships for the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegeboxing.org/national-tournament |title=Past USIBA Champions |access-date=2019-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823190922/http://www.collegeboxing.org/national-tournament |archive-date=August 23, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The CSUN [[Esports]] Club currently hosts several teams for a variety of competitive video games such as [[League of Legends]], [[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]], [[Valorant]], and [[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]]. As of 2020, the CSUN Esports Club has been officially affiliated by [[Cloud9]], an American Esports Organization under their Cloud9 University Affiliate Program.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Presenting the Cloud9 Collegiate 2020 Series|url=https://www.cloud9.gg/latest/presenting-the-cloud9-collegiate-2020-series/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031224125/https://www.cloud9.gg/latest/presenting-the-cloud9-collegiate-2020-series/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 31, 2020|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Cloud9|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Campus life==
===Clubs and organizations===
There are more than 300 student clubs and organizations at CSUN.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

====Fraternities and sororities====
The university is home to many Greek life organizations. After the death of [[Armando Villa]], who died during an 18-mile hike when pledging for a fraternity, CSUN abolished hazing from any on campus organizations/clubs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/10/24/all-pledging-activities-ceased-at-csun-as-school-officials-investigate-possible-hazing-incident/|title=All Pledging Activities Terminated At CSUN After Possible Hazing Incident|last=CBS Los Angeles|date=2014-10-24|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

=== Events ===

==== Noontime Concerts ====
[[File:Sublime at Cal State Northridge.jpg|thumb|Sublime performing at a Noontime concert at the CSUN University Student Union]]
The AS/SPACE (Associated Students / Student Productions and Campus Entertainment) produced a weekly concert series held on Wednesdays at noon in the quad of the University Student Union. Nationally known musical artists and bands have performed there, including [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]] and [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Henriquez |title=Cover Story: Destination: Cal State Northridge: The commuter campus, open to the public, is chock-full of resources. There's a gym for workouts, a swimming pool, even a job counseling center. Don't forget the library, the largest in the Valley. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-07-va-47548-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

==== Big Show ====
The Associated Students has organized the Big Show, a [[concert]] where various musicians perform on the Oviatt Lawn, since 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/as/events/big-show-19|title=Big Show 19|date=2018-08-17|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> Each year, students vote on both the genre and the artists they want to see.<ref name="csunshinetoday.csun.edu">{{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/music/aap-ferg-dj-mustard-bring-surprise-guest-tyga-to-sold-out-big-show-18/|title=A$AP Ferg, DJ Mustard Bring Surprise Guest Tyga To Sold-Out Big Show '18|date=2018-10-15|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> This has resulted in a variety of performances throughout the years, with headliners like [[Jimmy Eat World]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Ne-Yo]], [[Ludacris]], [[Diplo]], [[Afrojack]], [[Laidback Luke]], [[Dvbbs|DVBBS]], [[Big Sean]], [[Tyga]], [[Dillon Francis]], [[Louis the Child (DJs)|Louis the Child]], and [[ASAP Ferg]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GigvSi9UljU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/GigvSi9UljU| archive-date=2021-11-08 | url-status=live|title=Big Show History 2004-2013|date=2013-10-02|website=Youtube Channel of CSUN Associated Students|language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/csun-big-show-17-turns-oviatt-lawn-into-a-music-festival/|title=CSUN Big Show '17 Turns Oviatt Lawn Into A Music Festival|date=2017-10-13|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref><ref name="csunshinetoday.csun.edu" />

==== Big Lecture ====
[[File:Magic Johnson Big Lecture at CSUN2.jpg|thumb|[[Magic Johnson]] talks at CSUN's Big Lecture]]

Since 2011, the Associated Students also started organizing the Big Lecture series, where influential individuals tell the audience about their experiences and careers. Because of the success of the first lecture by [[Cornel West|Dr. Cornel West]], the series was allowed to continue yearly and has attracted a variety of individuals from different industries and backgrounds. Recent speakers were [[James Franco]], [[Magic Johnson]], [[Viola Davis]], and [[Laverne Cox]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sundial.csun.edu/144159/arts-entertainment/understanding-the-process-behind-big-lecture/|title=Understanding the process behind Big Lecture|last=Rojas|first=Melissa|website=The Sundial|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

===Media===
* [[KCSN]] radio
* The ''Daily Sundial'':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sundial.csun.edu/ |title=sundial.csun.edu |publisher=sundial.csun.edu |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> college newspaper
* Valley View News: student television station<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Valley View News |url=https://sundial.csun.edu/valley-view-news/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Daily Sundial}}</ref>

===Notable programs===

==== 3 WINS Fitness ====
3 WINS Fitness, formerly known as 100 Citizens, is a free exercise program in Southern California that offers exercise agendas for local communities.<ref name="abc7.com">{{cite web|url=http://abc7.com/archive/8310240/ |title=Free exercise program offered to combat health crisis |publisher=abc7.com |date=2011-08-16 |access-date=2015-10-18}}</ref> This program is implemented by volunteer [[kinesiology]] students attending CSUN.<ref name="sfrcs.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfrcs.com/community-programs/adult-programs/adult-exercise/ |title=Adult Outdoor Fitness (100 Citizens Program) « Recreation & Community Services |publisher=Sfrcs.com |access-date=2015-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318082057/http://www.sfrcs.com/community-programs/adult-programs/adult-exercise/ |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2012, the program obtained recognition from the [[White House]], winning Popular Choice award in First Lady [[Michelle Obama]]'s Let's Move video challenge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/20120725/csuns-100-citizens-program-to-battle-obesity-wins-white-house-recognition |title=CSUN's 100 Citizens program to battle obesity wins White House recognition |publisher=Dailynews.com |date= 2012-07-25|access-date=2015-10-18}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of California State University, Northridge people}}

CSUN has about 350,000 alumni as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.csun.edu/about/alumni-association/|title=Alumni Association|website=catalog.csun.edu|access-date=2019-07-07}}</ref>

=== Alumni ===
==== Politics and government ====
At the national level, CSUN has been home to a former head of the [[United States Census Bureau]] ([[Vincent Barabba]]), a former Commissioner of the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] ([[Kathleen Utgoff]]), the [[Program Executive Officer]] of the [[Joint Strike Fighter program]] ([[Lt Gen]] [[Christopher Bogdan]]), a former member of the [[Council of Economic Advisers]] and president of the [[Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland]] ([[Jerry Jordan]]), as well as the [[List of ambassadors of the United States to the Bahamas|Ambassador to the Bahamas]] ([[Nicole Avant]]), [[Governor of Hawaii]] ([[Linda Lingle]]), and [[Lieutenant Governor of California]] ([[Mike Curb]]). In 2018, alumnus [[Katie Hill]] became a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]], and the following year graduate [[Nury Martinez]] became the first [[Latinas|Latina]] president of the [[Los Angeles City Council]]. On January 20, 2021, alumnus [[Doug Emhoff]] became the first [[Second Gentleman of the United States]] as he is the spouse of former [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* Barabba: {{Cite web|url=https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/alumni/Honorary-Degrees/Pages/vincent-p-barabba.aspx|title=Vincent P. Barabba |website=www2.calstate.edu|access-date=2019-05-07}}
* Utgoff: {{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/bls/history/commissioners/utgoff.htm|title=Commissioners : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-07}}
* Bogdan: {{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108398/christopher-c-bogdan/|title=Lieutenant General Christopher C. Bogdan > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|website=www.af.mil|access-date=2020-01-28}}
* Jordan: {{Cite web|url=https://www.federalreservehistory.org/people/jerry_l_jordan|title=Jerry L. Jordan {{!}} Federal Reserve History|last=Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland|website=www.federalreservehistory.org|access-date=2019-05-07}}
*  Avant: {{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/obama-ted-sarandos-netflix-nicole-avant-315830|title=Obama's $500,000 Power Couple|last=Daunt|first=Tina|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2012|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20}}
* Lingle: {{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/education/former-hawaii-gov-linda-lingle-returns-to-csun-to-teach/|title=Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle Returns to CSUN to Teach|date=2014-01-15|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-20}}
* Curb: {{Cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/pubrels/press_releases/fall06/curbgala.html|title=Cal State Northridge Gala Celebrates Newly Named Mike Curb College Community and Entertainment Industry Leaders Mark Music Icon's $10 Million Gift|website=www.csun.edu|access-date=2019-12-29}}
* Hill: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/politics-and-society/ms-hill-goes-to-washington/|title=Ms. Hill Goes to Washington |last=Herstein|first=Olivia|date=2018-12-17|website=csunshinetoday.csun.edu|access-date=2019-05-07}}
* Martinez: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/csun-leaders/csun-alumna-nury-martinez-wins-city-council-seat/|title=CSUN Alumna Nury Martinez Wins City Council Seat|date=2013-08-05|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}
* Emhoff: {{Cite web|last=Santucci|first=Jeanine|title=Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris' husband, will be the nation's first 'second gentleman'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-first-second-gentleman/6168693002/|access-date=2020-11-07|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Business ====
CSUN alumni founded [[Artsy]] ([[Wendi Deng Murdoch]], co-founded), [[Haas Automation]] and [[Haas F1 Team]] ([[Gene Haas]]), [[PennyMac Financial Services]] ([[Stanford Kurland]]), and [[SM Entertainment]] ([[Lee Soo-man]]).

Alumni are or have been CEO of [[A+E Global Media]] ([[Paul Buccieri]]), the [[Alfa Group Consortium]] ([[Stan Polovets]]), [[Autodesk]] ([[Andrew Anagnost]]), [[Hilton Worldwide]] ([[Stephen Bollenbach]]), and [[Houlihan Lokey]] ([[Scott Beiser]]).

Alumnus [[Charles Noski]] has been a director at [[Wells Fargo]] and [[Microsoft]], while also having served as CFO for [[Bank of America]], [[Northrop Grumman]], and [[AT&T]].<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* Murdoch: {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/fashion/wendi-murdoch-is-creating-a-career-of-her-own.html|title=Wendi Murdoch Is Creating a Career of Her Own|last=Chozick|first=Amy|date=June 15, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 29, 2025|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
* Soo-man: {{Cite web|last=Ramsay|first=Derek|date=2017-12-06|title=Lee Soo-Man|url=https://variety.com/exec/lee-soo-man/|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Variety|language=en}}
* Kurland, Beiser: {{Cite news|url=https://www.csun.edu/nazarian-fab-50|title=Nazarian Fab 50|date=2016-09-20|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2020-02-19}}
* Polovets: {{Cite web|url=https://digital-collections.csun.edu/digital/api/collection/Sundial/id/27242/download|title=Daily Sundial|access-date=2019-07-07}}
* Haas: {{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.sunday-conversation-gene-haas-on-staying-humble-and-racing-on-his-own-terms.6tUcQ7oxskoEEai8I8uskS.html|title=Sunday Conversation: Gene Haas on staying humble and racing on his own terms|last=Formula 1|date=2018-04-08|website=www.formula1.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}}
* Bollenbach: {{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080116006116/en/AIG-Elects-Stephen-F.-Bollenbach-Board-Directors|title=AIG Elects Stephen F. Bollenbach to Board of Directors|date=2008-01-16|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-18}}
* Noski: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/csun-leaders/accounting-alumnus-charles-noski-named-among-top-influential-leaders-in-business-by-accrediting-body/|title=Accounting Alumnus Charles Noski Named Among Top Influential Leaders in Business by Accrediting Body|last=Hamaker|first=Amy|date=2019-02-14|access-date=2019-07-07}}
* Buccieri: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/matadors-hollywood|title=Matadors in Hollywood|date=2016-04-07|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2020-01-28}}
* Anagnost: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/alumni/300k-anagnost-gift-creates-engineering-scholarships-for-csun-students/|title=$300K Anagnost Gift Creates Engineering Scholarships for CSUN Students|date=2019-09-03|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}</ref>

==== Entertainment and the arts ====
In entertainment, former students have won:

* 1 [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] by [[Richard Dreyfuss]] and 1 [[Academy Honorary Award]] by [[Diane Warren]]
* 15 [[Emmy Award]]s by [[Paula Abdul]] (2x), [[Phil Hartman]] (1x), [[Brian A. Miller]] (11x), and [[Diane Warren]] (1x)
* 6 [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globes]] by [[Richard Dreyfuss]] (1x), [[Jenna Elfman]] (1x), [[Don Hahn]] (2x), and [[Diane Warren]] (2x)
* 21 [[Grammy Award]]s by [[Paula Abdul]] (1x), [[John Densmore]] as drummer of [[The Doors]] (1x), [[Michelle DeYoung]] (3x), [[Daryl Dragon]] as part of [[Captain & Tennille]] (1x), [[Mike Elizondo]] (3x), [[Gordon Goodwin]] (4x), [[Cheech Marin]] (1x), [[Andy Summers]] as guitarist of [[The Police]] (5x), [[Serj Tankian]] as frontman of [[System of a Down]] (1x),  and [[Diane Warren]] (1x)

Although former student [[Debra Winger]] was nominated three times for the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]] as well as nominated five times for [[Golden Globe Awards]], she won none of the nominations. Actresses [[Alyson Hannigan]] and [[Eva Longoria]] also graduated from CSUN and received [[People's Choice Awards]] for their roles in ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'' and ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'', respectively.<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
*Abdul: {{Cite web|url=https://gazettereview.com/2016/11/happened-paula-abdul-news-updates/|title=What Happened to Paula Abdul - News & Updates|last=Briscoe|first=Jake|date=2016-11-02|website=Gazette Review|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-10}}
*Densmore, DeYoung, Dragon, Elizondo, Summers, Warren: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/homepage/matadors-mic|title=Matadors On The Mic|date=2017-12-06|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}}
*Dreyfuss: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/matadors-hollywood|title=Matadors in Hollywood|date=2016-04-07|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}}
*Elfman: {{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/california-state-university-northridge-debuts-hfpa-wing-1039983|title=California State University, Northridge Debuts HFPA Wing|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 17, 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}}
*Goodwin: {{Cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/pubrels/press_releases/summer07/summerjazz.html|title=Award-Winning Musician, Composer Gordon Goodwin Returns to Alma Mater with Summer Jazz Workshop for Teens|date=2007-07-18|website=www.csun.edu|access-date=2019-05-10}}
*Hahn: {{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/from-drums-to-disney-alumnus-don-hahn-works-his-way-to-the-animation-pinnacle/|title=From Drums to Disney: Alumnus Don Hahn Works His Way to the Animation Pinnacle|last=Mayer|first=Cati|date=2016-04-06|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-18}}
*Hartman: {{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-phil-hartman-19980529-20160521-snap-htmlstory.html|title=From the Archives: Actor Phil Hartman, Wife Killed in Murder-Suicide|date=1998-05-29|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}
*Marin: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/university-news/alum-cheech-marin-and-csuns-harry-gamboa-featured-in-french-art-exhibit/|title=Alum "Cheech" Marin and CSUN's Harry Gamboa Featured in French Art Exhibit|date=2014-06-30|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}
*Miller: {{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Carmon|date=2021-04-19|title=CSUN to Host Final for a TV Pitch Competition|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/csun-to-host-final-for-a-tv-pitch-competition/}}
*Tankian: {{Cite web|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/community/csun-student-music-groups-share-stage-with-world-renowned-performers/|title=CSUN Student Music Groups Share Stage with World-Renowned Performers|last=Amico|first=Paul|date=2016-11-29|website=CSUN Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-18}}
*Winger: {{Cite news|last=Allen|first=Henry|date=1983-12-13|title=Debra Winger, Coming to Terms|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1983/12/13/debra-winger-coming-to-terms/9b5b12f7-8436-4a06-9d81-cded54754157/|access-date=2020-06-06|issn=0190-8286}}
*Hannigan: {{Cite web|url=https://csun.edu/node/244126|title=Alyson Hannigan took immediate 'Fancy' to 'Nancy'|date=2018-07-12|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29}}
*Longoria: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/all-about-eva|title=All About Eva|date=2016-03-27|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>

==== Literature and journalism ====
Three [[Pulitzer Prize]] winners have attended CSUN: [[Frank del Olmo]] ([[Pulitzer Prize for Public Service|for Public Service]]), [[Paul Pringle]] ([[Pulitzer Prize for Public Service|for Public Service]] and [[Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting|for Investigative Reporting]]), and [[Ken Lubas]] (photojournalist). Journalist and political commentator [[Ana Kasparian]] of [[The Young Turks]] network also graduated from CSUN.<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* del Olmo: {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/us/frank-del-olmo-55-los-angeles-journalist.html|title=Frank del Olmo, 55, Los Angeles Journalist|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=2004-02-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
* Pringle: {{Cite web|url=http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/alumni/csun-alumnus-wins-pulitzer-prize-for-investigative-journalism/|title=CSUN Alumnus Wins Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism |website=csunshinetoday.csun.edu|date=April 22, 2019 |access-date=2019-05-10}}
* Lubas: {{Cite web|url=https://tsengcollege.csun.edu/sites/default/files/aboutus/CSUN-college-of-arts-media-communication.pdf|title=Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication at CSU Northridge|website=California State University, Northridge}}
* Kasparian: {{Cite web|last=Osborne|first=Cary|date=2016-02-03|title=Anti-Establishment Truth Teller Kasparian Makes Forbes 30 Under 30|url=https://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/csun-profiles/anti-establishment-truth-teller-kasparian-makes-forbes-30-under-30/|website=CSUN Today}}</ref>

==== Sciences ====
In the sciences, CSUN alumni include [[astronaut]] [[Scott J. Horowitz]], who flew four [[Space Shuttle]] missions, and [[Adriana Ocampo]], who is a planetary geologist known for her contributions to the discovery of the [[Chicxulub crater]] as well as her work as Science Program Manager at [[NASA]] and lead program executive for the [[New Frontiers Program]].<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* Horowitz: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/alumni/scott-horowitz|title=Scott Horowitz|date=2013-05-31|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}}
* Ocampo: {{Cite web|last=Herstein|first=Olivia|title=Touching the Stars|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/homepage/touching-stars|website=CSUN Magazine}}</ref>

==== Athletics ====
Former students have also won 15 [[Olympic medal]]s in total, with [[Jeanette Bolden]] (gold medal), [[Valerie Brisco-Hooks]] (three gold medals and one silver medal), [[Alice Brown (sprinter)|Alice Brown]] (two gold medals and one silver medal), [[Florence Griffith Joyner]] (three gold medals and two silver medals), [[Joe Ryan (baseball)|Joe Ryan]] (silver medal), and [[Bob Samuelson]] (bronze medal) all winning medals at the [[Olympic Games]]. The former four were all coached by alumnus [[Bob Kersee]].<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* Bolden: {{Cite web|url=https://dailybruin.com/1998/04/29/real-bruins2/|title=Real bruins|website=dailybruin.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}
* Brisco-Hooks: {{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1985/06/03/620846/after-the-gold-some-glitter|title=After The Gold, Some Glitter|last=Castro|first=Tony|website=Vault|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}
* Brown: {{Cite web|url=https://gomatadors.com/news/2015/2/27/2_27_2015_303.aspx?path=general|title=Olympian and Former Matador Alice Brown Celebrated during Black History Month|website=CSUN Athletics|date=February 27, 2015 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}
* Joyner: {{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-29-sp-7928-story.html|title=Griffith-Joyner Leaves Kersee's Club; She'll Be Coached Solely by Husband|date=1988-07-29|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-24}}
* Samuelson: {{Cite web|url=https://www.csun.edu/magazine/fall-2018/matador-athletics-through-years|title=Matador Athletics Through the Years|date=2018-12-10|website=California State University, Northridge|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}
* Ryan: {{Cite web|last=Nunez|first=David|title=CSUN alumnus Joe Ryan begins his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins|url=https://sundial.csun.edu/165506/sports/csun-alumnus-joe-ryan-begins-his-mlb-career-with-the-minnesota-twins/|access-date=2021-09-10|website=The Sundial}}
* Kersee: {{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/2016/08/allyson-felix-coach-bob-kersee-wife-jackie-joyner-age-career-bio-athletes-olympic-gold-medals-history-achievements/|title=Bob Kersee, Allyson Felix's Coach: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|last=Keeney|first=Tim|date=2016-08-15|website=Heavy.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}
</ref>

CSUN has also seen alumni [[Jason Thompson (first baseman, born 1954)|Jason Thompson]] and [[Robert Fick]] become [[MLB All-Star]]s, while [[Adam Kennedy]] was named the [[ALCS MVP]] in 2002.

=== Faculty and staff ===
In politics, three former faculty and staff members have become high-ranking officials in foreign countries, including [[Mohamed Morsi]] who became the 5th [[President of Egypt]] in 2012, as well as [[Mohammad Qayoumi]] and [[Prakash Chandra Lohani]]. Additionally, former head of the [[United States Census Bureau]] [[Roy Peel]] and former [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Mexico|Ambassador to Mexico]] [[Julian Nava]] were professors at the university. [[James Lawson (activist)|James Lawson]], a civil rights leader, was a visiting scholar at the university from 2010 until his death in 2024.

[[Lucille Ball]] was an assistant professor in 1979 and [[James Dickey]], [[United States Poet Laureate]] and winner of a [[National Book Award for Poetry]], was a visiting lecturer at the university.

The university has also had two prominent [[mathematician]]s in its faculty: [[Lorraine Foster]], who became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from [[California Institute of Technology]], and [[William Karush]], a [[mathematician]] known for [[Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions]] and physicist on the [[Manhattan Project]]. Faculty members [[Maria Elena Zavala]] and Stephen Oppenheimer received the [[Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring]].<ref>Evidence of affiliations:
* Morsi: {{cite web|url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/06/25/egyptian-president-elect-has-ties-to-usc-csun/|title=Egyptian President-Elect Has Ties To USC, CSUN|author=Mertz, Ed|date=2012-06-25|publisher=KNX (CBS News)|access-date=2019-05-07}}
* Qayoumi: {{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-26-me-23431-story.html|title=CSUN Appoints New Finance Official|last=Moore|first=Solomon|date=2000-04-26|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}
* Lohani: {{Cite web|url=http://www.saim.edu.np/faculty-and-staffs|title=Faculty And Staff|website=www.saim.edu.np|access-date=2019-05-10|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510181043/http://www.saim.edu.np/faculty-and-staffs|url-status=dead}}
* Peel: {{Cite web|url=https://www.trumanlibrary.org/hstpaper/peelrv.htm|title=Truman Library - Roy V. Peel Papers|website=www.trumanlibrary.org|access-date=2019-05-10}}
* Nava: {{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-09-me-42038-story.html|title=CSUN Says 'Happy 40th' to Pioneering Professors|date=1996-09-09|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-27}}
* Lawson: {{Cite web|title=Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. |url=https://www2.calstate.edu:443/impact-of-the-csu/alumni/Honorary-Degrees/Pages/Rev-James-M-Lawson-Jr.aspx|access-date=2021-06-16|website=www2.calstate.edu|language=en-US}}
* Ball: {{Cite web|url=http://www.lucyfan.com/lucyatnorthridge.html|title='Everybody is a Comedian' Lucille Ball Starring in Northridge Classroom|last=Holguin|first=Richard|date=1979-12-16|website=Los Angeles Times|page=5|access-date=2019-05-10|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023015419/http://www.lucyfan.com/lucyatnorthridge.html|url-status=dead}}
* Dickey: {{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-20-va-618-story.html|title=THEATER : A Circle Closes : Poet James Dickey, who says he's done 'almost every other form of writing there is,' will now see one of his works adapted for the stage in 'Sermon.'|last=Koehler|first=Robert|date=1992-11-20|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}
* Foster: {{Cite web|url=https://catalog.csun.edu/academics/math/faculty/foster-lorraine-l/|title=Foster, Lorraine L.|website=catalog.csun.edu|access-date=2019-05-11}}
* Karush: {{Cite web|url=https://www.atomicheritage.org/profile/william-karush|title=William Karush|website=Atomic Heritage Foundation|language=en|access-date=2019-05-11}}
* Zavala and Oppenheimer: {{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20090720/csun-professor-gets-presidential-honor|title=CSUN professor gets presidential honor|date=2009-07-20|website=Daily News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>

<gallery class="center">
File:Mohamed Morsi-05-2013.jpg|[[Mohammed Morsi]], 5th [[President of Egypt]]
File:Doug Emhoff June 2021.jpg|[[Doug Emhoff]], former [[Second ladies and gentlemen of the United States|Second Gentleman of the United States]]
File:Eva Longoria Cannes 2015.jpg|[[Eva Longoria]], award-winning actress
File:Linda Lingle in March 2010.jpg|[[Linda Lingle]], 6th [[Governor of Hawaii]]
File:Scott J Horowitz.jpg|[[Scott J. Horowitz]], NASA [[astronaut]]
File:Mike Curb 1978 Crop.jpg|[[Mike Curb]], 42nd [[Lieutenant Governor of California]] and musician
File:Stan Polovets awards Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 (cropped).jpg|[[Stan Polovets]], former CEO of the [[Alfa Group Consortium]] and current CEO of the [[Genesis Prize Foundation]]
File:Richard Dreyfuss Cannes 2013.jpg|[[Richard Dreyfuss]], [[Academy Award]]–winning actor
File:Paula Abdul 2011 2.jpg|[[Paula Abdul]], [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] and [[Grammy Award]]-winning singer and choreographer
File:Kathleen Utgoff Official BLS photo.jpg|[[Kathleen Utgoff]], former Commissioner of the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]]
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.csun.edu/ }}
* [http://www.gomatadors.com/ CSU Northridge Athletics website]

{{California State University, Northridge}}
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