Welcome to San Jose State University

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Welcome trail

Welcome

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to San José State University. Founded in 1857 as the Minn's Normal School in San Francisco, San José State University moved to San José in 1870 into a single wooden building. The Normal School changed its name, twice, once to San José State Teachers College in 1921, and then to San José State College in 1934. In 1972, San José State University became part of the California State University system. San José State University is the oldest public institution of higher education on the west coast. Through its seven colleges, the university offers 69 bachelor's degrees with 81 concentrations, 65 master's degrees with 29 concentrations, and specialized and certificate programs.

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Tower Hall

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Science Building

Tour stop audio transcript

Built in 1957, the Science Building is the home of the College of Science. The Science Building houses the department of Physics and Astronomy and is also home to the Department of Chemistry's organic teaching and research laboratories. For students studying Biological Science with a concentration in Conservation and Organismal Biology, they are able to perform Entomology experiments with beehives that are located on top of the roof. This is a great way for students to gain hands on experience!

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

Tour stop audio transcript

Opened in 2003, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library was a collaboration between the California State University and the city of San José. The library contains 3,600 seats, 400 public access computers and more than 500 laptop connections. In it, you can find SJSU student laptops for rent, study rooms, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Collection, the Beethoven Center, the John Steinbeck Center, a Cultural Heritage Center, and Peer Connections. As a fun touch, there are tables in the shapes of continents on the 8th floor and when pushed together form the original land mass of Pangaea.

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Hugh Gillis Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

Opened in 1954, Hugh Gillis Hall was named in honor of Hugh Gillis, a Theater Arts Department Chair and educator. Hugh Gillis Hall houses KSJS 90.5 FM, our award-winning college radio station. Named the number 1 College Radio Station over the years, KSJS 90.5 is operated by students. The University Theater houses performances, given by SJSU Theater Arts and non-Theater Arts Students, 6-10 times per year. Spartan Film Studios offers students a truly unique opportunity to participate in one of San José State University's most adventurous programs. Students are given a range of film production experience, which has resulted in multiple feature-length and short-subject films.

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Clark Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

Clark Hall is the site of the former Robert D. Clark Library. This building was originally intended to be 18 stories high, but due to budget cuts, construction took out a floor for every year it was being constructed. The construction process took 13 years, leaving the building with 5 floors. The Study Abroad program, Military and Veteran Student Services, International Student and Scholar Services, the Writing Center, the Peer Mentor Center and the Educational Opportunity Program offices are also located within Clark Hall. Clark Hall also has classrooms, computer labs, offices, group study rooms, and conference rooms.

Engineering trail

Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering

Tour stop audio transcript

In 1945, San José State University started the first Engineering program in the State Colleges. Now, a nationally ranked program, the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering is one of our most popular choices on campus. Engineering faculty work in Silicon Valley companies on cutting-edge technology. Students in the College of Engineering have designed a hybrid formula race car, wind car, a cement canoe, a satellite that was sent into space by NASA, and a functional finger learning tool. The College of Engineering ranks number 3 among comprehensive public institutions, and the Computer Engineering program ranks number 1.

Student Union

Tour stop audio transcript

The Student Union is conveniently located at the heart of the San Jose State University campus. Visit the Student Union whenever you want to relax, buy textbooks and supplies, or grab a bite to eat. Union Square, the school's newest eatery on campus, offers 9 options for students to fuel up. The Student Union also houses the Spartan Bookstore, Bowling Center, Billiards, and Starbucks and Lounge. Many student services are also represented in the Student Union, including Student Involvement, the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, MOSAIC, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center, and the Women's Resource Center. The Student Union also houses A.S. Transportation Solutions for students.

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Art Building

Tour stop audio transcript

The Art Building offers students the chance to take classes in print making, foundry, jewelry, ceramics, glass blowing and woodshop. There are also three animation labs available for animation students to use during their time on campus. Each year the Natalie and James Thompson Art Gallery explores a variety of contemporary and historical issues in art and design, by exhibiting the works of professional artists and designers, collections of historical of art, and through collaborative programs with other art institutions in the Bay Area. In addition to the Natalie & James Thompson Gallery, there are six smaller student galleries, including one that can function as a special installation/performance space.

Art Building trail

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Boccardo Business Complex

Tour stop audio transcript

Built in 1971 in conjunction with the Business Tower, the Boccardo Business Center houses the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business. The Business Student Advisement Center offers counseling and advising for all business majors and minors. Business Administration has four focuses, which include Accounting & Finance, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Organization & Management. Within these four focuses, there are eleven concentrations that include Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Corporate Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing. There is a free computer lab located on the 3rd floor of the Boccardo Business Center available to all students.

Housing trail

University Housing

Tour stop audio transcript

There are three different types of dorms on campus, known as The Bricks, Joe West, and Campus Village Suites, that accommodate undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Each dorm includes fully furnished rooms, basic utilities, internet access, telephone, and cable. All first-time freshman who graduated from a high school located in a city 30 miles or more away from SJSU will be required to live on campus during their freshman year. The on-campus Housing Office is located on the second floor of the main Campus Village building. Students can go here to get more information on housing prices, contracts, and floor plans.

Washington Square Hall trail

Washington Square Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

Washington Square Hall used to be called the New Science Building, before it was closed in 1980 for renovations. It was renamed Washington Square Hall when it reopened in 1991. The College of Humanities and the Arts and the College of Social Sciences are both located in this building. Washington Square Hall houses the Environmental Resource Center and Center for the Development of Recycling. Some scenes from the movie Flubber, starring Robin Williams, were filmed in one of the lecture rooms. Classes using the lecture room were moved to other locations during the month-long filming.

Associated Students House trail

Associated Students House

Tour stop audio transcript

Associated Students represents the voice of students on campus regarding fees, academics, campus resources, student activism, recreation and government. They run an over $7.5 million organization and oversee eight different departments on campus including the Child Development Center, Campus Recreation, the General Services Center, Computer Services Center, Print Shop, Transportation Solutions, the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, and the Associated Students Government. They have numerous volunteer opportunities including Alternative Spring Break, Community Garden Harvest, and Veggielution. Positions within Associated Students include President, Vice-President, Controller and various student leadership and volunteer positions.

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MacQuarrie Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

MacQuarrie Hall is dedicated to Thomas MacQuarrie, who served as San Jose State's President from 1927 to 1952. The College of Applied Sciences and Arts is located in MacQuarrie Hall. Within the college, the Administration of Justice program was founded in 1930 under the title of Police Science and offered the first bachelor degree program of its kind. The Forensic Science department organizes mock crime scenes for students on the lawn each semester. MacQuarrie Hall is the only classroom building with no classrooms on the first level. Just Below, located on the first floor of the building, is a deli that offers sandwiches, coffee, Jamba Juice, and snacks.

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Sweeney Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

Sweeney Hall is the home to the Connie L. Lurie College of Education. The departments housed within Sweeney Hall include Child and Adolescent Development, Communicative Disorders & Sciences, and the Education Credentials Office. Sweeney Hall also has many educational labs that include a Foreign Language Lab, a Discovery Lab, a Reading Lab, the English Department Writing Clinic, and a Remote Computer Lab. There is also a Child Development Toddler Lab which is used for a hands-on experience with toddlers for Child Development majors. Students are able to earn teaching credentials through the College of Education.

El Paseo de Cesar E. Chavez trail

El Paseo de Cesar E. Chavez

Tour stop audio transcript

The Cesar E. Chavez Monument was designed by Judith F. Baca and completed in Fall 2008. It was the hope of Baca that the arch would offer an introspective and meditative space for viewers to receive the message; "May all those passing through it experience the passage from hope and inspiration, to education, and finally, to action for social and environmental justice." The monument serves as a sacred reminder to subsequent generations of the importance of living a life at the center of one's values and beliefs, as did Cesar Chavez.

Student Wellness Center

Tour stop audio transcript

The Student Health Center, located in the Student Wellness Center, provides medical care to students enrolled at SJSU. In addition to treating acute conditions, injuries, and illnesses, the Health Center provides a family planning program and maintains an in-house licensed pharmacy, a physical therapy department, a federally certified high complexity laboratory, and an x-ray department. The building houses 70 employees and 20 student assistants and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold equivalent standards, which means incorporating sustainable design principles such as optimized energy performance, water-efficient landscaping and maximum use of daylight. Counseling and Psychological Services is also housed in the Student Wellness Center.

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Music Building trail

Music Building

Tour stop audio transcript

The Music Building was built in 1951, and offers 36 soundproof practice rooms, with pianos, organs and percussion. The Concert Hall has a 545 person capacity and Music majors give free concerts and recitals during the semester. Free Listening Hours are held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The Music Building houses the Department of Music and Dance, the Spartan Marching Band, Concert Choirs, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Orchestra. The Music Department became the CSU's first School of Music in 1992. The school traces its history at SJSU from the earliest years when singing was taught to potential teachers.

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Event Center trail

Event Center

Tour stop audio transcript

Opened in spring 1989, the Event Center includes a 6,500 seat multi-purpose arena with built-in lights and a technologically advanced sound system. It also features the SJSU Sport Club, which includes a gym, workout room, indoor basketball court, indoor racquetball courts and a lounge area with a 48" TV. Throughout the semester, Campus Recreation sponsors workout classes for students to enjoy. The Event Center Box Office sells tickets for the Event Center, Spartan Athletics, SJSU Theatre Plays, Bus Passes and all Ticketmaster Events. Past performers at the Event Center include: Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Drake, Green Day, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Malala Yousafzai and the Dalai Lama.

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Aquatic Center trail

Aquatics Center

Tour stop audio transcript

San José State University's Aquatics Center was completed in 1988 with funds generated by students. The Aquatics Center is one of the largest pools in Northern California (60 meters by 25 yards). It is open daily for lap swimming, and is free for students to use. The Aquatics Center is the home to both Men's and Women's Water Polo, as well as the SJSU Swimming and Diving Team. The swimming pool is usually kept around 80 degrees. The depth ranges between 3 feet to 13 feet, and has two diving boards (1 meter and 3 meters). It is wheelchair accessible, with locker rooms and shower.

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Spartan Stadium trail

South Campus

Tour stop audio transcript

South Campus is located 1.6 miles south of the Main campus along 10th street. It is comprised of 50 acres of athletic fields, training rooms, locker rooms, Athletic Department offices, the Jeff Garcia Hall of Champions, and Spartan Stadium. It also includes a 10 acre Park & Ride lot that provides parking and shuttle services for students, staff, and faculty. Spartan Stadium was built in the 1930's and expanded to its present capacity of 30,000 in the 1980's. The San Jose State Spartan football, and men's and women's soccer teams play their home games there. In addition, the Stadium hosts the University Commencement Ceremony.

Student Services Center trail

Student Services Center

Tour stop audio transcript

The Student Services Center includes departments such as Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, Enrollment Services, the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, Student Outreach & Recruitment, Academic Advising and Retention Services, the Bursars Office, and Peer Connections. Academic Advising and Retention Services offers assistance with choosing General Education classes and Peer Connections offers free tutoring services, mentoring, and resource referrals to interested students on a wide range of subjects. Student Outreach and Recruitment assists prospective students with pre-admission questions and applying to San Jose State. Located in the front of the Student Services Center is the Welcome Center, where prospective students and their families can check in for tours and ask questions.

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