CSU Multi-Campus Initiatives
These initiatives contribute systemwide support and promotion for university research, scholarship, and creative activities, research infrastructure and research compliance issues, inter-segmental partnerships, and initiatives related to economic and workforce development.
CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB)
Created in 1987 as a CSU systemwide program, CSUPERB was designed to catalyze biotechnology activities across California. Today CSUPERB promotes biotechnology workforce development by supporting innovative coursework and programs, real-world research experiences, and core resources for faculty and students at all 23 CSU campuses. The program involves students and faculty from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Agriculture, Business and Computer Science departments.
CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST)
The CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology was established in 2008 to integrate system-wide resources and promote interdisciplinary multi-campus collaborations to advance our knowledge of California’s natural coastal and marine resources and the processes that affect them. The coastal zone faces a number of economic, sociological, ecological and technological challenges that require innovative solutions. COAST is uniquely positioned to provide a statewide coordinated response to these challenges.
Agricultural Research Initiative (ARI)
The CSU Agricultural Research Initiative is a diverse and comprehensive multi-campus applied agricultural and environmental research program that annually leverages public funding with external resources of at least one-to-one to address high priority issues challenging agriculture, the environment, and consumer health and safety. ARI focuses the collective expertise of CSU campuses with that of qualified faculty and research scientists from other universities and research organizations to find immediate and practical solutions for high priority agricultural and environmental issues.
Water Resources and Policy Initiative (WRPI)
The Water Resources and Policy Initiative is designed to target the capabilities and resources within the twenty-three CSU campuses to provide academic preparation, applied research and policy development that addresses all aspects of water use. WRPI serves to focus synergistically with the many centers and programs of excellence within the CSU on water issues.
Launched in July 2010, (STEM)2 – called “STEM squared” – engages CSU students in applied STEM service-learning activities that help students experience and understand the positive difference that STEM professionals can make in local communities. Service learning is a teaching strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich learning experiences, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.
CSU Biological Field Stations
Campuses of the California State University have taken advantage of the state’s natural resources by developing numerous outdoor education laboratories and research facilities to augment on-campus instruction. Many of these facilities are operated in cooperation with other organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the Nature Conservancy. These sites serve as an educational role as well as preserve important ecological areas.
