View source for California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

{{Short description|Public university in Arcata, California}}
{{About|the university located in Arcata, California|Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo|California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo|Cal Poly Pomona|California State Polytechnic University, Pomona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox university
| name = California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
| image = Cal Poly Humboldt seal.svg
| image_upright = .7
| motto                  = ''Phos Aletheia'' ([[Greek language|Greek]])
| mottoeng               = "Truth and Light"
| established = {{start date and age|June 16, 1913}}
| type = [[Public university|Public]] [[Institute of Technology (United States)#Polytechnic universities|polytechnic university]] 
| parent = [[California State University]]
| accreditation = [[WASC Senior College and University Commission|WSCUC]]
| president = [[Michael E. Spagna]]
| provost = Jenn Capps
| endowment = $42.3 million (2023)<ref name="nacubo">{{Cite report |url=https://giving.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/2022-23_foundationannualreport.pdf |title=Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation Annual Report 2022-23 |date=2023-06-01 |publisher=Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation |language=en-US |access-date=2024-05-10 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| budget = $303.6 million (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hsu.openbook.questica.com/#/visualization/2c821a3c-dced-42ea-b598-97058ab8ed13|title = All Funds Expenditure Budget| date=September 26, 2024 }}</ref>
| faculty = 531 (fall 2023)<ref name="Enrollment">{{cite web | title=FF-Fast Facts F23 | website=Institutional Research, Analytics, and Reporting | url=https://irar.humboldt.edu/node/552 | access-date=2024-03-13}}</ref>
| students = 5,976 (fall 2023)<ref name="Enrollment" />
| undergrad = 5,419 (fall 2023)<ref name="Enrollment" />
| postgrad = 557 (fall 2023)<ref name="Enrollment" />
| city = [[Arcata, California|Arcata]]
|state = [[California]]
| country = United States
| campus = Remote town<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Humboldt&s=all&id=115755|title=IPEDS-California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt}}</ref>
|campus_size = {{convert|144|acre|ha}} main campus and nearly {{convert|591|acre|ha}} of additional property.<ref name="Enrollment" /> Total: 733 acres.
| former_names = Humboldt State Normal College (1913–1935)<br />Humboldt State College (1935–1972)<br />California State University, Humboldt (1972–1974)<br />Humboldt State University (1974–2022)
| colors = Green and gold<ref>{{cite web |url=https://brand.humboldt.edu/node/2 |title=Visual Identity {{!}} HSU Brand |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235855/https://brand.humboldt.edu/node/2 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>{{color box|#046A38}} {{color box|#FFC72C}}
| mascot = Lucky Logger<ref name="Fast Facts" />
|sporting_affiliations = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division II]] – [[California Collegiate Athletic Association|CCAA]]|[[Great Northwest Athletic Conference|GNAC]]}}
|sports_nickname = [[Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks|Lumberjacks]]
| academic_affiliations =
| website = {{URL|www.humboldt.edu}}
| logo = Humboldt State University wordmark.svg
|free_label =
|free =
|free_label2 = Newspaper
|free2 = ''The Lumberjack''
}}

'''California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt''' ('''Cal Poly Humboldt''' or '''Humboldt'''<ref name="CSU styleguide">{{cite web |title=Cal Poly Humboldt Official Brand Guidelines |url=https://brand.humboldt.edu/verbal-language |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614112201/http://www.calstate.edu/brand/styleguide/campus-names.shtml |archive-date=June 14, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2014 |work=calstate.edu |publisher=California State University}}</ref>) is a [[public university]] in [[Arcata, California]]. It is one of [[Cal Poly (disambiguation)|three polytechnic universities]] in the [[California State University]] (CSU) system and the northernmost campus in the system. 

The main campus, situated hillside at the edge of a [[Sequoia sempervirens|coast redwood]] forest, overlooks Arcata, much of [[Humboldt Bay]], and the Pacific Ocean. The [[college town]] setting on the [[North Coast, California|California North Coast]], {{convert|8|mi|km}} north of [[Eureka, California|Eureka]], {{convert|279|mi|km}} north of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], and 654 miles (1053&nbsp;km) north of [[Los Angeles]] is notable for its natural beauty. It is the most westerly four-year university in the contiguous United States. Humboldt is a [[Hispanic-serving institution]] (HSI).

The university is divided into three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Natural Resources and Sciences; and the College of Professional Studies.<ref name="Fast Facts">{{cite web | title=Facts & Figures | website=Cal Poly Humboldt | url=https://www.humboldt.edu/about/facts-figures | access-date=2024-03-13}}</ref> It offers 58 [[bachelor's degree]] programs, 14 [[master's degree]] programs, 76 [[minor (academic)|minors]], and 4 [[credential]] programs.<ref name=Enrollment/> Cal Poly Humboldt does not offer [[doctoral degrees]].

== History ==
[[File:Humboldt State University Founders Hall.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Founders Hall]]
Humboldt State Normal School was established as a [[teachers college|teacher's college]] on June 16, 1913, by [[California governor]] [[Hiram Johnson]].<ref name="www2.humboldt.edu">{{Cite web|title=Humboldt State University: A Brief History – Centennial – Humboldt State University|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/centennial/history|website=www2.humboldt.edu|access-date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011094607/http://www2.humboldt.edu/centennial/history|archive-date=October 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was one of about 180 "[[normal school]]s" founded by state governments to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century.<ref>Christine Ogren, ''The American State Normal School: 'An Instrument of Great Good' '' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) pp. 1–5, 213–235; [https://books.google.com/books?id=mUDHAAAAQBAJ&dq=OGREN+Christine&pg=PP1 online].</ref> The cities of [[Arcata, California|Arcata]] and [[Eureka, California|Eureka]] (and to a lesser extent [[Fortuna, California|Fortuna]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Van Kirk|first1=Susie |title=Reflections of Arcata's History: eighty years of architecture|date=January 1979|publisher=Bug Press}}</ref>) competed with one another to host the new campus. Arcata eventually won the university when William Preston, and the Union Water company, donated 55-acres.<ref name="www2.humboldt.edu" /> It opened on April 6, 1914, in the former Arcata Grammar School building with 78 students and 5 faculty. On May 26, 1915, the first commencement of the first graduating class occurred, a class of 15 women.<ref>{{Cite book| title=Humboldt State University|last=Tahja|first=Katy|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2010|isbn=978-0-7385-8015-9|location=San Francisco, CA|pages=15}}</ref>

[[File:Looking out to Humboldt Bay from modern-day Founder's Hall, 1915.jpg|thumb|View from high point of Humboldt State Normal campus, 1915]]

The school was put under the jurisdiction of the [[California Department of Education]], renamed Humboldt State Teacher's College and Junior College, and moved to its current location in 1921. In 1924, during the presidency of [[Ralph Waldo Swetman]], the Associated Students and the Alumni Association were organized and ''The Foghorn'', the first student newspaper, was published. [[Bachelor's degrees]] began being offered in 1927. The school was renamed Humboldt State College in 1935 and the next year the [[Lumberjack]] was adopted as its mascot. In 1937, the students opened a cooperative bookstore and soda fountain, which would exist for the next 40 years as the center of student life.

During [[World War II]], [[Arcata, California|Arcata]]'s city defense council suggested camouflaging Founder's Hall, which is visible from the Pacific Ocean, so it would not be a target for [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese submarines]]. The council made its request in 1942, but Founder's Hall was not painted until the spring of 1944. The building remained camouflage green until 1948.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=A View from the Hill|last=Tanner|first=William|publisher=University Graphic Services|year=1993 |location=Humboldt State University, Arcata, California}}</ref> During WWII, President Arthur Gist corresponded back and forth with the hundreds of students who left Humboldt State College to serve in the war. Available for viewing in the Arthur Gist Letters at HSU Special Collections, there are over 1,000 letters from 365 servicemen and women writing to Gist for the duration of the war.<ref>{{cite archive |collection = Arthur Gist Letters |collection-url= http://library.humboldt.edu/humco/holdings/gist.htm | repository = Humboldt State University Special Collections |institution = Humboldt State University |location =Arcata, CA}}</ref>

[[Graduate school|Graduate programs]] were first offered in 1947. Under President Cornelius H. Siemens in 1952, HSU continued expanding by accepting students from abroad, including some from [[Yugoslavia]], Germany, the Near East as well as US territories such as [[American Samoa]], [[Guam]] and [[Hawaii]]. KHSC, later [[KHSU]], the first state college radio station in California, was established. In 1960, the college joined the newly formed California State College system. The junior college program, terminated at HSU in 1962, was re-established in 1964 at [[College of the Redwoods]] (CR) located at the southern edge of Eureka. CR is located only seventeen miles south of HSU, and the two institutions maintain a close working relationship, with many students transferring to HSU following graduation from CR.

Student activism on campus rose through the 1960s and early 1970s, peaking in a protest against the [[Vietnam War]] with about 800 students (out of 3,600) participating in demonstrations on October 15, 1969. This was followed by another protest with nearly 3,000 students who planned a strike after the [[Cambodian Incursion]]. With similar events across the state, Governor [[Ronald Reagan]] shut down the CSC system in May 1970 for five days. The 1970s also saw the rise of [[feminist]], cultural, and [[LGBT]] groups, and though the Women's Center was the only one to survive through the 1980s, most groups reappeared by the mid-1990s.<ref name=":0" />

Alumnus David Philips established the Humboldt Film Festival in 1967. It is now one of the oldest student-run festivals in the world.<ref name=":0" /> In 1996 the annual [[Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum]] workshop began being held on the campus every July. The workshop is the largest assemblage of Afro-Cuban folkloric masters in the United States, drawing students from across the country and around the world.

In 1972, the college was renamed California State University, Humboldt. However, it still continued to be popularly called "Humboldt State." Reflecting this, its name was simplified to Humboldt State University in 1974.<ref name="www2.humboldt.edu" /> Enrollment first reached 7,500 in 1974, and the university remains one of the smallest in the CSU system. Through the 1980s, [[mature students]] became a large part of Humboldt State's student body, and in 1986 40% of the students were over the age of 25.<ref>Tanner, 135–144</ref> The number has since decreased to 30%.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/~anstud/univ_profile.shtml|title=Analytic Studies: University Statistical Profile|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528081023/http://www.humboldt.edu/%7Eanstud/univ_profile.shtml|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1987 students and activists founded the optional [[Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility]]. The purpose of the Pledge is to encourage graduating students to be mindful of the social and environmental impacts of their employment as they enter the workforce or continue their education. Today over one hundred Universities and colleges worldwide use the Pledge to some extent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.graduationpledge.org/about/history/|title=History &#124; Graduation Pledge Alliance|publisher=Graduationpledge.org|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319190258/http://www.graduationpledge.org/about/history/|archive-date=March 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 22, 2024, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Siemens Hall as part of a [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|wider movement of occupation protests]] against the [[Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alonso |first=Johanna |title=A Full Campus Shutdown at a California State University |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/free-speech/2024/05/01/cal-poly-humboldt-pro-palestinian-occupation-finally-ends |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref> Protesters renamed the building to "Intifada Hall" and managed to repel an initial police incursion. At some point protesters occupied a second building, Nelson Hall. On April 30, a large law enforcement task force stormed both occupied buildings and arrested at least 35 people, bringing the occupation to an end.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anguiano |first=Dani |date=2024-04-30 |title=Gaza protesters occupying building at rural California university arrested in police crackdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/30/protesters-arrested-cal-poly-humboldt |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Name ===
The university, founded as '''Humboldt State Normal College''' in 1913, took the name of the [[Humboldt County, California|county]] and [[Humboldt Bay|nearby bay]], which was originally named after the famous German scientist [[Alexander von Humboldt]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is Everything Named Humboldt? |url=https://www.ourcityforest.org/blog/2016/6/17/why-is-everything-named-humboldt |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Our City Forest |date=June 24, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 23, 1972, fourteen of the nineteen CSU campuses were renamed to "California State University," followed by a comma and then their geographic designation.<ref name="Gerth_Page_548">{{cite book|last1=Gerth|first1=Donald R.|title=The People's University: A History of the California State University|date=2010|publisher=Berkeley Public Policy Press|location=Berkeley|isbn=978-0-87772-435-3|page=548|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NKH8c1LMlZ4C&q=%22may%2023,%201972%22}}</ref>  The five campuses exempted from renaming were the five newest state colleges created during the 1960s.<ref name="Gerth_Page_548" />  The new names were very unpopular at certain campuses.  Over the objections of CSU Chancellor [[Glenn Dumke|Glenn S. Dumke]], state Assemblyman [[Al Alquist|Alfred E. Alquist]] proposed a bill that would rename the San Jose campus back to San Jose State. A few years later, some other CSU campuses, alongside the Humboldt campus, also secured passage of similar legislation,<ref name="Gerth_Page_548" /> and '''California State University, Humboldt''' was renamed '''Humboldt State University''' from 1974 until 2022.

On January 26, 2022, the university was officially renamed from '''Humboldt State University''' to '''California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt''', becoming the third polytechnic university in the state. The change is backed by a $458 million investment from the state of California.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patterson|first=Michael|url=https://krcrtv.com/amp/north-coast-news/eureka-local-news/humboldt-state-now-officially-named-cal-poly-humboldt-with-receive-major-state-investment|title= Humboldt State now officially named Cal Poly Humboldt, will receive major state investment|publisher=KRCR-TV|date=2022-01-26|access-date=2022-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitford |first1=Emma |title=Humboldt State University is now a polytechnic |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/01/27/humboldt-state-university-now-polytechnic |access-date=5 February 2022 |work=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=January 27, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Academics ==
The university is divided into three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Natural Resources and Sciences; and the College of Professional Studies. There are 48 undergraduate majors and 69 minors.<ref name="Programs">{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/humboldt/programs|title=Majors & Programs &#124; Humboldt State University|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701172710/http://www.humboldt.edu/humboldt/programs|archive-date=July 1, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The two largest majors are [[biology]] and [[art]], both with over 20 faculty members and extensive facilities on- and off-campus. This CSU campus offers a [[Wildlife conservation|wildlife]] undergraduate degree. There are several credential programs and fourteen [[Master's degree|master's programs]], of which [[natural resources]] and [[social work]] are the largest.{{Citation needed|reason=Not listed in the current published stats|date=March 2024}} The new Energy, Environment, and Society graduate program is unique to the CSU, and provides graduates with interdisciplinary training in engineering, economics, and climate policy.

The University Library supports students and faculty from all three academic colleges. Humboldt State University Press (now called [[the Press at Cal Poly Humboldt]]) was launched in 1991<ref>Harris, Stanley W. 1991. Northwestern California birds : a guide to the status, distribution, and habits of the birds of Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, northern Mendocino, and western Siskiyou Counties, California, 257 pp., Humboldt State University Press</ref> to showcase research and scholarship across the campus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HSU Launches University Press – Humboldt State Now|url=http://now.humboldt.edu/news/hsu-launches-university-press/|website=now.humboldt.edu|date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128035923/http://now.humboldt.edu/news/hsu-launches-university-press/|archive-date=January 28, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Forestry department building's walls are completely paneled with different species of wood. The building was rebuilt in October 1980 after the original building was burned down. The original building stood for 17 years before an arsonist, whose identity is still unknown today, set the building on fire in 1979.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Humboldt State University|last=Tahja|first=Katy|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2010|isbn=978-0-7385-8015-9|location=San Francisco, CA|pages=89}}</ref>

Cal Poly Humboldt is one of only two universities in California to offer a major in [[botany]]; the other is [[California State Polytechnic University, Pomona]]. Its botany program is the nation's largest undergraduate program. Cal Poly Humboldt is the only university in California to offer a degree in rangeland resources and wildland soil science.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/fwr/|title=Department of Forestry & Wildland Resources—Humboldt State University|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415203609/http://www2.humboldt.edu/fwr/|archive-date=April 15, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Native American Studies]] major and the [[Oceanography]] major are also unique to the California State University system. The university offers unique minors including multicultural queer studies, scientific diving, and [[appropriate technology]].<ref name="Programs" />

The university's location on the [[North Coast, California|North Coast]] provides access to the Pacific Ocean, lagoons, marshes, estuaries, and the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory, which provides opportunities for "hands-on" experiences and research for the sciences. The Marine Lab was opened in 1966, the lab is open during the academic school year (mid August-mid May).<ref name=":1" />

Cal Poly Humboldt's fire science program teaches modern techniques for managing wildfire, and an advanced training program is offered for Forest Service employees and similar professionals.<ref name="calstate.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.calstate.edu/impact/campus/humboldt.html|title=Humboldt State University &#124; The Impact of the California State University|publisher=Calstate.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421101848/http://www.calstate.edu/impact/campus/humboldt.html|archive-date=April 21, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The International English Language Institute has worked alongside HSU for 22 years to help international students gain academic English language skills to further their academic pursuits and business careers.

The college of eLearning & Extended Ed (CEEE) is a self-supporting outreach department of Cal Poly Humboldt that provides a variety of academic, professional development and personal enrichment opportunities. While the CEEE programs are open to almost everyone, there is an emphasis on providing access to those community members who are not matriculated students at the university. Non-matriculated students may take some regular university courses through the CEEE Open University program. High school students may take regular university courses through the CEEE High School Concurrent Enrollment Program. Also, those aged 60 and over may take regular classes through the Over 60 Program. There are also a variety of online degree programs offered through the college. The CEEE also offers a wide range of diverse and eclectic programs. Examples include music and art programs for children, the [[Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes|Osher Lifelong Learning Institute]] for those aged 50 and over, foreign language classes, travel-study programs, continuing education for teachers, MFT/LCSW, nurses, and law enforcement. In 1998 Humboldt State University opened the [[HSU First Street Gallery]] in Old Town Eureka, expanding community access to the university's cultural and fine arts programs. In 2007, the university further expanded its presence in Eureka with the opening of the HSU Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, a $4.5 million aquatic facility on the bay in [[Old Town Eureka]]. Future plans include a new HSU Bay and Estuarine Studies Center. This new facility will be closer to the ''Coral Sea'' (in 2012 docked at Woodley Island, Eureka), the only vessel in a U.S. educational institution solely dedicated to undergraduate research. The new facility would be considerably larger than the other existing facility, the Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory in Trinidad, {{convert|20|mi|km}} north.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northcoastjournal.com/042105/cover0421.html|title=On the Cover – North Coast Journal – April 21, 2005 – Out with the tide? As administrators mull a move for Telonicher, Humboldt State faculty protect their Trinidad turf|publisher=North Coast Journal|date=April 21, 2005|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102074348/http://www.northcoastjournal.com/042105/cover0421.html|archive-date=November 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cal Poly Humboldt Professor Steve Sillett has conducted groundbreaking research on [[redwood]] forest canopies and was featured in a 2009 cover story in [[National Geographic Magazine|''National Geographic'']]. He holds the [[Kenneth L. Fisher]] Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology, the only endowed chair in the world dedicated to a single tree species.<ref name="calstate.edu"/>

=== Statistics ===
{| 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: Humboldt State University |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?115755-Humboldt-State-University |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|50|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|31|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| Two or more races{{efn|Other consists of [[multiracial Americans]] and those who prefer not to say.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|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|52|%|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|48|%|2||background:red}}
|}

* Average high school GPA: 3.5 (fall 2023 freshmen)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=ENROLLMENT AND PERSISTENCE FALL 2023 |url=https://irar.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/cds_calpolyhumboldt_2023_2024_-_web.pdf}}</ref>
* SAT 50th percentile: 610  Reading, 560 Math (fall 2023 freshmen)<ref name=":2" />
* ACT Composite 50th percentile: 24 (fall 2023 freshmen)<ref name=":2" />
* Acceptance Rate: 88% (fall 2024 freshman) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Applicants reports |url=http://pine.humboldt.edu/~anstud/humis/app-TFAAR.html |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=pine.humboldt.edu}}</ref>
* Average undergraduate class size: 25<ref name="stats" />
* Average graduate class size: 8<ref name="stats" />
* Student-to-faculty ratio: 16.0<ref name=Enrollment/>

==== Student demographics ====
As of fall 2018 Cal Poly Humboldt had the largest enrollment percentage of Native Americans and the third largest enrollment percentage of multiracial individuals in the Cal State system.<ref name="Ethnicity Enrollment Profile">{{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> 
* Number of enrolled students: 5,976<ref name=Enrollment/>
* Gender:<ref name=Enrollment/>
** 56.0% female
** 44.0% male

=== Rankings ===
{{Columns-start|num=3|width=90%}}
<div style="text-align: left;">{{Infobox US university ranking
 | USNWR_REG     = 32
 | Wamo_MASTERSU = 59
 | Forbes        = 623
 | THE_WSJ       = 501–600
}}</div>
{{Column}}
{| class="infobox center" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 22em;"
 |-
 ! colspan="2" style="font-size: bigger; text-align: center;" {{!}}
2023-2024 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings<ref name="USNWR">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/humboldt-state-university-1149/overall-rankings|title=Humboldt State University Rankings|access-date=2021-09-20|magazine=U.S. News & World Report|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 |-
 | Top [[Public university|Public Schools]] || 15
 |-
 | Best College for [[Veterans]] || 17
 |-
 | Top Performers on [[Social Mobility]] || 25
 |-
 | Best Value Schools || 30
 |-
 | Best [[Undergraduate]] [[Engineering]] Programs || 69 <br />(of schools without doctorate programs)
|}
{{Column}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 3rem 12vw; max-width: 33vmax; text-align: center;"
 |+ style="background-color: #008000; color: #fff;" | 2023-2024 USNWR Graduate School Rankings<ref name="usnwr-graduate-rankings">{{Cite magazine|date=2022-03-28|title=Humboldt State University – U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/humboldt-state-university-115755/overall-rankings|url-status=live|magazine=U.S. News & World Report|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125151517if_/https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/humboldt-state-university-115755/overall-rankings|archive-date=2021-11-25|access-date=2020-09-24|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 ! Program !! Ranking
 |-
 | [[Social Work]] || 172
|}
{{Columns-end}}
* Cal Poly Humboldt is one of the colleges profiled in ''[[The Princeton Review]]''{{'}}s book, ''Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement''. The school was selected because of its record of having excellent [[Service learning programs|service-learning programs]] and its blending of academics with community work.<ref name="princeton">{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116072515if_/https://www.princetonreview.com/college/humboldt-state-university-1023812|title=Humboldt State University|website=The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews|access-date=2022-07-06|url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college/humboldt-state-university-1023812|archive-date=2018-11-16|url-status=live|language=en-US|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranked Cal Poly Humboldt tied for 37th out of 127 schools in the Regional Universities (West) category for 2021, and in the same category also ranked it 17th best public school, 22nd best for veterans, 33rd for best value, and tied for 34th best for social mobility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/humboldt-state-university-1149/overall-rankings|title=Regional Universities (West) – Humboldt State University|magazine=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=2020-09-25|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

== Student life ==
[[File:Humboldt State University Entrance.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Primary HSU campus entrance on LK Wood Blvd (south side, adjacent to US-101)]]
The Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) is unique to the CSU, and uses student fee money to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus. HEIF provides a rare opportunity for students, faculty, and plant operations staff to work together collaboratively towards a goal of a lower-carbon and energy-independent future. [[Compost]] and [[recycling]] bins are more common on campus than trash cans and many events are encouraged to be [[zero waste]], all coordinated through the student-run Waste Reduction and Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waste-Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) {{!}} Humboldt State University|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/wrrap/|website=www2.humboldt.edu|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127154600/http://www2.humboldt.edu/wrrap/|archive-date=November 27, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Associated Students fund WRRAP, the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, and the [[Sustainable Living]] Arts and Music Festival (SLAM fest).

Cal Poly Humboldt built the first building in the CSU system to be LEED-gold certified for its eco-friendly features. The Behavioral and Social Sciences Building has facilities for rainwater collection and sustainably harvested wood native-plant landscaping, among others.<ref name="calstate.edu"/>

The university's location affords students the potential for outside activities in local parks and public lands, which include miles of accessible, undeveloped coastline. Rivers, streams, mountains, coastal redwood forests, and extraordinary terrain surround the university.

There are over 200 clubs on campus; these include a variety of options that range from social interests, academic, Greek life and sports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HSU Clubs & Activities • Club Directory|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/clubs/site/directory/category/all_clubs/|website=www2.humboldt.edu|access-date=October 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011110945/http://www2.humboldt.edu/clubs/site/directory/category/all_clubs/|archive-date=October 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Student media ===
The university has multiple publications. ''[[The Lumberjack (newspaper)|The Lumberjack]]'' is the university's only student-run weekly newspaper''.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://journalism.humboldt.edu/lumberjack|title=The Lumberjack {{!}} Journalism & Mass Communication|website=journalism.humboldt.edu|access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref>

The university also has a monthly student-run newspaper, ''El Leñador'', which is bilingual and produced by students with minority backgrounds. ''El Leñador'' received first place in competing against other monthly and bi-weekly papers from four- and two-year colleges and universities across California.<ref>{{Cite web|title=El Leñador|url=https://www.facebook.com/lenadorbilingual/timeline?ref=page_internal|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105013415/https://www.facebook.com/lenadorbilingual/timeline?ref=page_internal|archive-date=January 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Osprey'' is the university's student-run magazine, published twice annually. It has won first-place awards in major regional competitions, including the Society of Professional Journalists' "Mark of Excellence" Awards and the California Intercollegiate Press Association awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spj.org/moe00r11.asp|title=Society of Professional Journalists &#124; Mark of Excellence Awards|publisher=Spj.org|access-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912043608/http://spj.org/moe00r11.asp|archive-date=September 12, 2014}}</ref>

Cal Poly Humboldt is also the only university in the CSU system to have a university press. The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt publishes high-quality scholarly, intellectual, and creative works by or in support of the campus community.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/press/ | title=The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt &#124; Cal Poly Humboldt Research &#124; Digital Commons @ Cal Poly Humboldt }}</ref>

=== Greek life ===
*[[Chi Phi]] fraternity – Epsilon Zeta chapter
*[[Delta Phi Epsilon (social)|Delta Phi Epsilon]] sorority – Epsilon Upsilon chapter
*[[Gamma Alpha Omega]] sorority – Pi chapter
*[[Kappa Sigma]] fraternity – Tau Beta chapter
*[[Lambda Theta Alpha]] sorority – Epsilon Iota chapter
*[[Lambda Theta Phi]] fraternity – Beta Omega chapter

=== Athletics ===
{{main|Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks}}
The Lumberjacks program is affiliated with the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] on the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] level and is a member of the [[California Collegiate Athletic Association]]. Cal Poly Humboldt currently sponsors 12 [[College athletics|intercollegiate sports programs]] — men's and women's [[College soccer in the United States|soccer]], [[College basketball|basketball]], [[cross country running|cross country]], [[track and field]], women's [[volleyball]], [[softball]], [[rowing (sport)|rowing]], and, formerly, [[College football|football]] (in which it competed in the [[Great Northwest Athletic Conference]]).

In addition to NCAA sanctioned athletics, Cal Poly Humboldt also supports club sports including, [[archery]], [[baseball]], [[cheerleading|cheer]], [[climbing]], [[cycle sport|cycling]], [[disc golf]], [[fencing]], [[Lumberjack#Loggersports|logging sports]], men's and women's [[lacrosse]], men's and women's [[rugby union|rugby]], men's and women's [[ultimate Frisbee]], men's [[Rowing (sport)|crew]], and men's [[volleyball]].

Cal Poly Humboldt's softball team has qualified for the NCAA post-season 18 times between 1990 and 2008, capturing the [[NCAA Division II Softball Championship]] in 1999 and in 2008.

*'''Women's (2)'''
**Softball (2): 1999, 2008

=== On-campus housing ===
As of 2022, 2,069 beds were available on campus. As Cal Poly Humboldt enrolls nearly 6,000 students and as there is an acute housing shortage in Arcata, homelessness is prevalent among the student population. The university has sought to  restrict and penalize students who are forced to live in cars, RVs or vans on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Debbie Truong|date=November 26, 2023|title=Cal Poly Humboldt students live in vehicles to afford college. They were ordered off campus. |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-26/cal-poly-humboldt-students-who-live-in-vehicles-are-ordered-off-campus |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> A 2018 study concluded that almost 20% of Cal Poly Humboldt students had experienced recent homelessness,<ref name=Taylor>Oden Taylor, [https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/college-beat/2023/02/cal-poly-humboldt-housing/ 'Cal Poly Homeless': Does Northern California's first polytechnic university have the infrastructure to support its growth?], ''Cal Matters'' (February 15, 2023).</ref> double the rate of the CSU system as a whole.<ref name=Taylor/><reF>[https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/student-success/basic-needs-initiative/Documents/BasicNeedsStudy_phaseII_withAccessibilityComments.pdf Study of Student Basic Needs], California State University (January 2018).</ref> 

University housing consists of six living areas: The Hill, Cypress, and Canyon for first-year students, and the College Creek Apartments, Campus Apartments, Creekview, and Cypress for other students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://housing.humboldt.edu/cost-options/options|title=Housing Options|publisher=California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Housing & Residence Life|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref> To address a housing shortage, Cal Poly Humboldt contracted with four local hotels&mdash;the [[Motel 6]], [[Super 8 (hotel)|Super 8]], [[Ramada Inn]], and [[Comfort Inn]]&mdash;to provide approximately 350 beds of "bridge housing" to students.<ref name=Castro>Austin Castro, [https://krcrtv.com/north-coast-news/eureka-local-news/cal-poly-humboldt-removes-some-motels-at-bridge-housing-options-for-students Cal Poly Humboldt removes some motels as "bridge housing" options for students], KRCR-TV (June 7, 2023).</ref> By 2023, however, the university eliminated three of the four options, leaving only the Comfort Inn as the only motel option.<ref name=Castro/> A new off-campus housing complex, Craftsman Mall, will house a thousand residents and is projected to open in fall 2025; new on-campus housing for an additional 600 to 700 students is projected to open in summer 2027.<ref name=Taylor/>

=== Klamath Connection Program ===
The Klamath River is the focus of the Klamath Connection, which is designed to help freshmen learn important skills for future science careers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.humboldt.edu/klamathconnection/|title=Klamath Connection Program|access-date=February 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044336/https://www2.humboldt.edu/klamathconnection/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Y.E.S. House ===
The Y.E.S. House (Youth Educational Services) programs are created by students and led by student volunteer programs. The Y.E.S. House serves the community. There are currently 17 programs running.<ref>
{{Cite web|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/yes/welcome|title=Y.E.S. House|access-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427145034/http://www2.humboldt.edu/yes/welcome|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Students can volunteer for these programs, and may also become directors.

== Centers and institutes ==
Centers and institutes at the university include:

* The California Center for Rural Policy at Cal Poly Humboldt is a research center to assist policy development. community building community, and promoting the health of rural people and their environments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/ccrp/|title=CCRP|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318091125/http://www2.humboldt.edu/ccrp/|archive-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The mission of the Humboldt Science and Mathematics Center is to enhance science and mathematics education. It was chartered in 2005, and offers programs and professional support for teachers and for students preparing for the professionals. The center is formally affiliated with a number of university programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/hsmc/|title=Humboldt Science and Mathematics Center|publisher=Humboldt.edu|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330011741/http://www2.humboldt.edu/hsmc/|archive-date=March 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research (HIIMR) was founded in 2012 and seeks to improve the economic, social, physical, and environmental health of individuals and communities through the interdisciplinary scientific study of [[marijuana|marijuana and marijuana extracts]] by working with users of the drug and local cannabis dispensaries to collect data. Since 2016, HIIMR designs, conducts, analyzes, and disseminates research; provides applied expertise to policy makers, researchers, students, health professionals, businesses, and the media; and archives and provides access to source materials (raw data, media).<ref>{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Peter|url=http://chronicle.com/article/Legalize-ItThey-Will/139513/?cid=at|title=Legalize It and They Will Analyze It – The Chronicle Review – The Chronicle of Higher Education|publisher=Chronicle.com|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235816/https://www.chronicle.com/article/Legalize-ItThey-Will/139513?cid=at|archive-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://humboldt.edu/forms/node/609|title=Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research (HIIMR) Charter &#124; HSU Forms|publisher=Humboldt.edu|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132125/http://www2.humboldt.edu/forms/node/609|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://humboldt.edu/hiimr/|title=HiiMR|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402230746/http://www2.humboldt.edu/hiimr/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Affiliated with the Department of Geography and its Kosmos Lab for teaching [[cartography]], the Institute for Cartographic Design provides cartography students with an opportunity to engage in applied map design before graduation, provides a centralized cartographic design service on campus, in all formats from paper to web to animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.edu/kosmos/|title=Kosmos Cartography|publisher=Humboldt.edu|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303031905/http://www2.humboldt.edu/kosmos/|archive-date=March 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Institute of Health and Human Performance supports the local community in activities for health promotion. It supports research and training for faculty and students in health, human performance, disease prevention, physical activity and nutrition.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Institute of Health and Human Performance {{!}} Humboldt State University Department Kinesiology & Recreation Administration|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/kra/institute-health-and-human-performance|website=www2.humboldt.edu|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208062704/http://www2.humboldt.edu/kra/institute-health-and-human-performance|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Institute for Entrepreneurship Education is designed to reach other academic departments on campus as well as the Redwood Coast business community. It is oriented around interdisciplinary study, with a focus on social entrepreneurship and an ethic of social responsibility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Current Centers & Institutes {{!}} Office of Research, Economic & Community Development|url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/orecd/centers/current.html|website=www2.humboldt.edu|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905080504/http://www2.humboldt.edu/orecd/centers/current.html|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Institute for Spatial analysis (ISA) is devoted to the expansion of spatial analysis methodologies in multiple disciplines and the real world issues. It works with both public and private sector entities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.humboldt.edu/isa/index.html|title=Institute for Spatial Analysis – Humboldt State University |publisher=Humboldt.edu |access-date=March 31, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303031859/http://www2.humboldt.edu/isa/index.html|archive-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref>
*The Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) works to establish clean energy technology. It specializes in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hydrogen energy systems, especially increasing the efficiency of fuel cells. Its work involves research and development, technology demonstration, project development, energy systems analysis, and education and training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schatzlab.org/|title=Schatz Energy Research Center|publisher=Schatzlab.org|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403064215/http://www.schatzlab.org/|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Museum & Gallery Practices Certification Program<ref>{{cite web |title=Acknowledgements |url=https://hsuredwoodsproject.omeka.net/acknowledgements |website=Humboldt Redwoods Project |via=[[Omeka]] |access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
=== Alumni ===
<!-- For inclusion in this section, the individual must have their own Wikipedia page first. Alphabetical by last name. -->
* [[Marisa Anderson]], guitarist and composer, dropped out at age 19<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singer |first=Matthew |date=June 11, 2013 |title=Marisa Anderson: Sunday, June 16 |work=[[Willamette Week]] |url=https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20752-marisa-anderson-sunday-june-16.html |access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref>
*[[Taylor Boggs]] (b. 1987), former professional football player<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taylor Boggs Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoggTa00.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223092925if_/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoggTa00.htm|archive-date=2020-12-23|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com|Pro-Football-Reference]] |language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Skuja Braden|Melissa Braden]], sculptor and ceramic artist<ref>{{Cite web|last=Čivle|first=Agnese|date=2021-03-19|title=Laughter or Truth?|url=https://arterritory.com/en/visual_arts/interviews/25470-laughter_or_truth/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822031421if_/https://arterritory.com/en/visual_arts/interviews/25470-laughter_or_truth/|archive-date=2021-08-22|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Arterritory|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Dean L. Bresciani]], President of [[North Dakota State University]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=About the President|url=https://www.ndsu.edu/president/about/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127164148if_/https://www.ndsu.edu/president/about/|archive-date=2021-01-27|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[North Dakota State University]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Ellie Cachette]], technology executive, activist and author; first recipient of school's Recent Distinguished Alumni Award<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ellie Cachette|url=https://forever.humboldt.edu/da/cachette|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127230835if_/https://forever.humboldt.edu/da/cachette|archive-date=2021-01-27|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Forever Humboldt|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Alex Cappa]], current professional football player for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Cappa Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CappAl00.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814105511if_/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CappAl00.htm|archive-date=2021-08-14|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com|Pro-Football-Reference]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Raymond Carver]], short story author and poet<ref>{{Cite web|last=DeMark|first=Jeff|date=2010-04-29|title=Raymond Carver, a Writer's Life|url=https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/raymond-carver-a-writers-life/Content?oid=2130984|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410201509if_/https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/raymond-carver-a-writers-life/Content?oid=2130984|archive-date=2021-04-10|access-date=2021-08-22|publisher=[[North Coast Journal]]|location=[[Eureka, California]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Mark Conover]], winner of 1988 Olympic Marathon trials<ref>{{Cite book|title=A View From the Hill|last=Tanner|first=William R. |publisher=University Graphic Services|year=1993|location=Humboldt State University, Arcata, California|pages=130}}</ref>
*[[Dan Curry]], Emmy Award winner for work on ''[[Star Trek]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Curry|url=http://magazine.humboldt.edu/fall09/dan-curry/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609200212if_/http://magazine.humboldt.edu/fall09/dan-curry/|archive-date=2010-06-09|access-date=2021-08-22|series=Fall 2009|publisher=Humboldt Magazine|location=[[Arcata, California]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Chris Dixon (indoor football)|Chris Dixon]], former professional indoor football player and coach<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reyes|first=Lorrie|date=2014-08-06|title=Blazing his own trail: Former Humboldt State QB Dixon parlays pro career into first head coaching job|url=https://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20140806/blazing-his-own-trail-former-humboldt-state-qb-dixon-parlays-pro-career-into-1st-head-coaching-job|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822035641if_/https://www.times-standard.com/2014/08/06/blazing-his-own-trail-former-humboldt-state-qb-dixon-parlays-pro-career-into-1st-head-coaching-job/|archive-date=2021-08-22|access-date=2021-08-22|publisher=[[Eureka Times-Standard]]|location=[[Eureka, California]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Trevor Dunn]], bassist for [[Mr. Bungle]] and [[Fantomas (band)|Fantomas]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trevor Dunn, Author at Open Space|url=https://openspace.sfmoma.org/author/trevordunn/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716161910if_/https://openspace.sfmoma.org/author/trevordunn/|archive-date=2021-07-16|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Open Space|publisher=[[San Francisco Museum of Modern Art]]|location=[[San Francisco]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Jack Fimple]], former [[Major League Baseball]] catcher for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jack Fimple Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fimplja01.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817154736if_/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fimplja01.shtml|archive-date=2021-08-17|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com|Baseball Reference]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Kenneth L. Fisher|Ken Fisher]], billionaire CEO of [[Fisher Investments]], long-time ''[[Forbes]]'' columnist, and author of books on investing<ref>{{Cite news|last=Willmer|first=Sabrina|date=2020-02-07|title=A Sexist Joke Cost Ken Fisher $4 Billion in Assets. He Still Runs $121 Billion.|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-07/a-sexist-joke-cost-ken-fisher-4-billion-in-assets-he-still-runs-121-billion|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718234045if_/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-07/a-sexist-joke-cost-ken-fisher-4-billion-in-assets-he-still-runs-121-billion|archive-date=2021-07-18|access-date=2021-08-22|publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|location=[[New York City]]|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=He went to Humboldt State University in rural Arcata, Calif., where for a time he wanted to study forestry. He switched to economics, and after graduation went to work for his dad.}}</ref>
*[[Harrell Fletcher]], artist<ref>{{Cite web|last=McCollum|first=Allan|date=2006-04-01|title=Harrell Fletcher|url=https://bombmagazine.org/articles/harrell-fletcher/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425103616if_/https://bombmagazine.org/articles/harrell-fletcher/|archive-date=2021-04-25|access-date=2021-08-22|series=Issue 95 – Spring 2006|publisher=[[Bomb (magazine)|BOMB Magazine]]|location=[[Brooklyn]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[David Gelbaum]], businessman, green technology investor and environmental philanthropist<ref>{{Cite web|last=Woody|first=Todd|date=2010-05-08|title=You'd Never Know He's a Sun King|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/business/09green.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131161505if_/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/business/09green.html|archive-date=2021-01-31|access-date=2021-08-22|work=[[The New York Times]]|location=[[New York City]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all|quote=He bounced around U.C. Berkeley and Humboldt State College in Northern California before returning to Irvine to receive his mathematics degree in 1972.}}</ref>
*[[Dave Harper (American football)|Dave Harper]], former [[NFL]] linebacker<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dave Harper Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarpDa20.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125200808if_/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarpDa20.htm|archive-date=2020-11-25|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com|Pro-Football-Reference]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Wendell Hayes]], former [[NFL]] running back<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wendell Hayes Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HayeWe00.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226123220if_/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HayeWe00.htm|archive-date=2020-12-26|access-date=2021-08-22|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com|Pro-Football-Reference]]|language=en|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Danny Herrera (strongman)|Danny Herrera]], former powerlifter<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-05-02|title=Danny Herrera Dies At Age 70|url=https://www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/8031|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105183854if_/http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/8031|archive-date=2017-01-05|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Powerlifting Watch|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=Danny Herrera of Rowland Heights, Ca. passed away on April 25, 2008 of an apparent Heart attack at the age of 70. He was a graduate of Humboldt State University and a current High School teacher at Rosemead High School.}}</ref>
*[[Stephen Hillenburg]], creator of [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Ruth|date=2018-11-27|title=SpongeBob creator and Humboldt State alum Stephen Hillenburg has died at 57|url=https://www.times-standard.com/2018/11/27/spongebob-creator-and-humboldt-state-alum-stephen-hillenburg-has-died-at-57|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927075332if_/https://www.times-standard.com/2018/11/27/spongebob-creator-and-humboldt-state-alum-stephen-hillenburg-has-died-at-57/|archive-date=2020-09-27|access-date=2021-08-22|publisher=[[Eureka Times-Standard]]|location=[[Eureka, California]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[John Kiffmeyer]], former drummer for the rock band [[Green Day]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pickard|first=Joshua|date=2017-06-24|title=Record Bin: How Green Day illuminated punk's restored relevance on "Dookie"|url=https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/record-bin-how-green-day-illuminated-punks-restored-relevance-on-dookie/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822050257if_/https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/record-bin-how-green-day-illuminated-punks-restored-relevance-on-dookie/|archive-date=2021-08-22|access-date=2021-08-22|website=NOOGAtoday|language=en-US|df=mdy-all|quote=Later that year, Kiffmeyer moved away from the East Bay area to attend Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.}}</ref>
*[[Vaush|Ian "Vaush" Kochinski]], political [[YouTube]] [[Online streamer|livestreamer]] and debater
*[[Jeffrey D. Levine]], former United States Ambassador to Estonia<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey Levine|url=http://magazine.humboldt.edu/fall12/jeffrey-levine/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822050908if_/http://magazine.humboldt.edu/fall12/jeffrey-levine/|archive-date=2021-08-22|access-date=2021-08-22|series=Fall 2012|publisher=Humboldt Magazine|location=[[Arcata, California]]|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=Levine majored in journalism at HSU and after graduating, worked as a reporter for seven years at various newspapers, including USA Today.}}</ref>
*[[Clinton McKinnon (musician)|Clinton McKinnon]], [[Mr. Bungle]] musician<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bottams|first=Timothy|date=2019-11-25|title=The Bär Sound of Mr. Bungle|url=http://www.theswinstandard.net/2019/11/25/being-an-ex-mr-bungle/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034909if_/http://www.theswinstandard.net/2019/11/25/being-an-ex-mr-bungle/|archive-date=2021-03-08|access-date=2021-08-22|website=The Standard|publisher=[[Swinburne University of Technology]]|location=[[Melbourne]]|language=en-AU|quote=McKinnon continued to pursue an interest in music and enrolled at Humboldt State University at 18 studying a music major.}}</ref>
*[[Michael Moore (saxophonist and clarinetist)|Michael Moore]], member of the [[Instant Composers Pool]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Moore – Musician|url=http://www.radioswissjazz.ch/en/music-database/musician/1734821b19983e4932b5d5acfc26b8a637689/biography|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823020323if_/https://www.radioswissjazz.ch/en/music-database/musician/1734821b19983e4932b5d5acfc26b8a637689/biography|archive-date=2021-08-23|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Radio Swiss Jazz Music Database|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=He studied music at Humboldt State and in 1977 graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Jaki Byard and Gunther Schuller, and was a classmate of Marty Ehrlich's.}}</ref>
*[[Mike Patton]], musician, notable for his work with [[Faith No More]], [[Mr. Bungle]], and film scoring
*[[Steve Selva]], botanist and Professor Emeritus at the [[University of Maine]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bayly|first=Julia|date=2015-11-14|title=Retired UMFK professor leaves no stone or branch unturned in lichen hunt|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2015/11/14/news/retired-umfk-professor-leaves-no-stone-or-branch-unturned-in-lichen-hunt/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823021219if_/https://bangordailynews.com/2015/11/14/news/retired-umfk-professor-leaves-no-stone-or-branch-unturned-in-lichen-hunt/|archive-date=2021-08-23|access-date=2021-08-23|publisher=[[Bangor Daily News]]|location=[[Bangor, Maine]]|language=en-US|quote=Collecting that many of anything does not happen overnight, and Selva began gathering lichens — an organism in which an alga and a fungus live in a symbiotic relationship — more than 40 years ago when he was an undergraduate at Humboldt State University in California.}}</ref>
*[[Monroe Spaght]], research chemist, president and chairman of the [[Shell Oil Company]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=1993-06-30|title=Spaght, Former President and Chairman of Shell Oil, Dies|website=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/fd4479bb39144a19a668f8f16a770605}}</ref>
*[[Marla Spivak]], entomologist and professor at the [[University of Minnesota]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marsh|first=Steve|date=2011-06-01|title=Silent Spring: Is a Future Without Bees Closing in On Us?|url=https://mspmag.com/Out-And-About/Articles/Features/Is-a-Future-Without-Bees-Closing-in-On-Us/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813173855if_/https://mspmag.com/company-info/about-us/about-us_us|archive-date=2021-08-13|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine|language=en-us|df=mdy-all|quote=And the solitary nature of the job is continually reinforced: After Prescott closed, Spivak finished her undergraduate work at Humboldt State in California, before earning her PhD in entomology at Kansas University.}}</ref>
*[[Trey Spruance]], [[Mr. Bungle]] and [[Secret Chiefs 3]] musician<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-04-25|title=Calypso Band and HSU Percussion Spring Concert|url=http://now.humboldt.edu/news/calypso-band-and-hsu-percussion-spring-concert/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823022706if_/http://now.humboldt.edu/news/calypso-band-and-hsu-percussion-spring-concert/|archive-date=2021-08-23|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Humboldt State Now|location=[[Arcata, California]]|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=In addition to works by Nigel Westlake and others, the Ensemble also performs a cult classic by HSU alum and founding member of the Mr. Bungle group Trey Spruance, as featured on the hit album Disco Volante.}}</ref>
*[[Josh Suggs]], current [[Major League Soccer]] defender; [[Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Penza|first=Danny|date=2012-03-14|title=Rattle and Roll: Former Humboldt State soccer standout Josh Suggs signs with the San Jose Earthquakes|url=https://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20120314/rattle-and-roll-former-humboldt-state-soccer-standout-josh-suggs-signs-with-the-san-jose-earthquakes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012430if_/https://www.times-standard.com/2012/03/14/rattle-and-roll-former-humboldt-state-soccer-standout-josh-suggs-signs-with-the-san-jose-earthquakes/|archive-date=2020-11-12|access-date=2021-08-23|publisher=[[Eureka Times-Standard]]|location=[[Eureka, California]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all|quote=Suggs, who was a three-time all-California Collegiate Athletic Association selection during his four years at Humboldt State (2007–2010), was one of five non-contract players with the Quakes during their preseason camp.}}</ref>
*[[Micah True]] (1953-2012), ultrarunner and founder of the [[Ultramaraton Caballo Blanco]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shapiro|first=T. Rees|date=2012-04-11|title=Micah True, ultramarathon runner, dead at 58|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/micah-true-ultramarathon-runner-dead-at-58/2012/04/10/gIQArqjX9S_story.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-08-23|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|language=en-US|df=mdy-all|quote=He studied religion and history at Northern California’s Humboldt State University before dropping out to become a boxer full time.}}</ref>
*[[Martin Wong]] (1946–1999), painter and ceramist<ref>{{Cite web|title=Martin Wong's legacy lives on at Humboldt State|url=https://library.humboldt.edu/about/art/wong/legacy.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130061605if_/https://library.humboldt.edu/about/art/wong/legacy.html|archive-date=2021-01-30|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Humboldt State University Library|language=en|df=mdy-all|quote=Accomplished artist, Martin Wong, a 1968 graduate of Humboldt State University, has left a legacy of art and scholarships to his alma mater.}}</ref>

=== Faculty ===
*[[Don Gregorio Antón]] (b. 1956), artist and educator (Emeritus Professor)
*[[Marcy Burstiner]], journalist
*[[Jim Dodge]] (b. 1945), novelist and poet
*[[Robert A. Gearheart]] (b. 1938) (emeritus), environmental engineer<ref name="soty-recipients">{{Cite web|url=https://aavp.humboldt.edu/scholar-of-the-year|title=Scholar of the Year Award Recipients|website=Cal Poly Humboldt Academic Affairs|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126141452if_/https://aavp.humboldt.edu/scholar-of-the-year|archive-date=2021-01-26|access-date=2022-07-06|language=en-US|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*[[Victor Golla]]  (1939–2021) (emeritus), linguist
*[[Steven C. Hackett]] (b. 1960), economist<ref name="soty-recipients" />
*[[Vincent Ialenti]] (b. 1987), anthropologist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vincent Ialenti {{!}} Environmental Studies |url=https://enst.humboldt.edu/people/vincent-ialenti |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=enst.humboldt.edu |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Eric Rofes]], gay activist, feminist, educator, and author
*[[Stephen C. Sillett]] (b. 1968), botanist<ref name="soty-recipients" />

== See also ==
*[[List of forestry universities and colleges]]
*[[Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research (HIIMR)]]
*[[Cal Poly Humboldt Natural History Museum]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.hsulumberjacks.com/ Humboldt State Athletics website]

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