• FILE
• Humboldt State's Founders Hall.

The proposal before the trustees is part of the formal process for HSU to become the state’s third polytechnic university in the CSU system and the only one in the northern end of the state.

If approved at the trustee’s following meeting, set for Jan. 22, the change would go into effect immediately.

Over the summer, HSU received a historic $458 million investment from the state that will fast track new (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) academic programs, building renovations, upgraded laboratory spaces, additional student housing, expanded broadband and renewable energy research capacity as part of the transition.

Trustees are also slated to consider renaming of HSU’s Science D Building to Alistair McCrone Hall in honor of the HSU's fifth president, who served from 1974 to 2002.

Dear Campus Community:

As part of the process for requesting a polytechnic designation for Humboldt State University, President Tom Jackson, Jr. will present a proposal to the California State University Board of Trustees for the University’s name to be formally changed to California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.

The request—to be presented shortly after 1 p.m. at the next Board of Trustees meeting on November 9—is a formal part of University’s effort to become the third polytechnic university in the CSU and the first institution of its kind in Northern California.

If approved by the Trustees at the next meeting in January 2022, the name change would be effective immediately. The University would be informally known as Cal Poly Humboldt.

Separately, the renaming of HSU’s Science D Building to Alistair McCrone Hall in honor of the University’s fifth president is also on the meeting agenda for 4 p.m. on November 9. President McCrone, who served from 1974 to 2002, was focused on academic quality, strengthening the sense of community on campus, and enhancing connections with the broader community.

President McCrone is also HSU professor emeritus of Geology. He and his wife, Judith, have continued to remain involved with HSU, including supporting the work of graduate students, promising faculty, and academic departments. They have joined other donors in supporting the McCrone Promising Faculty Scholars Award as well as the Alistair and Judith McCrone Graduate Fellowship.  

The 25-member Board of Trustees adopts regulations and policies governing the entire CSU and has the authority to select and change the name of any campus in the California State University (Education Code 89034).

Review the agenda and watch the livestream of the Board of Trustees meeting here.

Please continue checking your email and the Polytechnic website for updates. If you have any questions or feedback, please email poly@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-3300.

Sincerely,

Jenn Capps

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Sherie Cornish Gordon

Chief of Staff