In a 1978 issue of The Orion — printed 47 years ago to this day — staffers re-published a story by the Daily 49er at Long Beach State that reported on a Board of Trustees meeting in which the Board “unanimously decided to ‘philosophically’ oppose tuition for the 1979-80 academic year.”
Then-governor Jerry Brown attended the meeting and expressed his approval for the Board’s stance, and stated, “I’m glad you voted against tuition. It’s good that you are planning to keep the costs down … When the decline comes (Brown has predicted a 25% decrease in enrollment by 1990) you’ll need it to attract students.”
In the Master Plan for Higher Education in California 1960-1975, it is stated, “The two governing boards reaffirm the long established principle that state colleges and the University of California shall be tuition free to all residents of the state.” While there was no tuition (student charges for teaching expenses) for residents, there were fees (charges for services not related to instruction, such as health services and housing).
Other news in the 12-page issue included members of the Iranian Student Association holding a protest and illegal keggers being tolerated by Chico police.
A photo on the front page showed protestors in the free speech area holding signs reading, “No more arms to the fascist shah,” and “Shah is a murderer, down with [the] shah.” About 60 members of the Iranian Student Association marched “against the shah and the involvement and support of his regime by the United States,” according to the caption.
Flipping to page seven, a report cited local law enforcement as stating they would continue to ignore the illegal sales of alcohol at fraternity or other group-organized keggers as long as the parties stayed “innocent and peaceful.” The Chico community, however, appeared not to know of such innocent or peaceful parties. From just one dance hall in town, the Butte County Sheriff’s Department received more than 35 complaints.
“So as far as police are concerned, the partying in Chico is still on — until the community says otherwise,” the reporter summed up.
In 1995, The Orion’s Dec. 6 issue took up 22 pages. From the front page, one learns that distance education is not only a thing of the 21st century. Before Cal State Online, there was a satellite education channel running from Chico State. And before that, another program at Chico — Instructional Television for Students — operated on microwave connections which “allowed students in 16 remote areas in Northern California to take degree and certificate programs via television.”
This issue also included a report that more than 7,000 Chico State students were tested for AIDS in 1995, and there were no positive tests. The Health Center provided pre- and post-test counseling to students.
In yet another issue sharing the publication date of Dec. 6, The Wildcat newspaper marked a milestone — the 75th anniversary of Chico State in 1962.
In this eight-page issue, a staff writer sought interviews with various students to share their thoughts on the approved housing system.
At the time, a state law allowed colleges to require students under the age of 21 and not living with their parents or legal guardians to live in college-approved housing. Due to limitations of space, Chico State changed the requirement to apply only to freshmen and sophomores.
Additionally, a curfew rule was enforced in approved housing for girls.
“The rules enforced in the dorms and other approved housing are strictly for children,” said one junior living off campus. “After all, we are in college now and are considered by most people to be adults. We should be able to lead our lives as we see fit. I lived in approved housing last year and agree that it has its good points, but freedom of action without curfews or other restrictions is really wonderful.”
A freshman over the age of 21 — and living off campus — spoke about the advantages of rules.
“Many students are away from home for the first time,” the psychology major said. “If they were left without the guidance that house rules provide, they would probably lose all sense of responsibility because of this sudden freedom.”
Like students today, the students in 1962 aimed to have a choice in housing decisions.
“I see two distinct disadvantages to approved housing,” the same student said. “First, some students who really want an education cannot afford the cost of from $350 to $375 [$3,706 to $3,970 today] a semester for approved housing. These students could and would like to get by on less.”
Archives of The Wildcat and The Orion can be found online and in the Meriam Library on campus.
