Special Collections
(760) 750-4312
archives@csusm.edu
Hours: by appointment
The University Archives contain materials relevant to California State University San Marcos from its origin in 1989 through the present day. Materials include, but are not limited to, papers, colloquia, maps, photographs, audiovisual recordings, realia, and legal documentation regarding the founding and growth of the 20th CSU. Secondary records include documentation in any form that is produced by outside sources, such as newspaper clippings, deemed of value regarding University activities or members of the University community.
Browse and search our special collections and archives database here. Many collections are unprocessed or are partially processed and are not represented in our database. Please contact us with any questions. We encourage consultation on materials from University Archives prior to your visit. The following collections are processed and accessible, and contain materials related to California State University San Marcos:
- Black Journey (digital exhibit | subjects: oral history and photography related to the advocacy, implementation, and success of CSUSM's Black Student Center)
- Bonnie Biggs papers (finding aid | subjects: CSUSM Tribal Liaison; local Tribal partnerships; Dr. Lotsee Patterson (Comanche))
- California Light and Sound (digital collections | digitized selection of events held during the university's early existence. Events include Native American storytelling, lectures, musical performances and day-long hearing on Border Issues held in San Diego on February 5, 1993, with California Senator William Craven, Chair.
- California State University San Marcos and North San Diego County vertical files (finding aid | subjects: files on various campus places, people, and events)
- California State University San Marcos University Archives (finding aid | subjects: record group consisting of many sub-collections with a variety of subjects)
- CSUSM Student Newspaper: The First 25 Years (1990-2015) (digital collections | five different digitized student newspapers that reflect the daily life and activities of CSUSM students, diverse editorial focus, and changing attitudes over the course of our first 25 years.
- Critical Conversations (digital exhibit | oral histories and archival materials exploring the creation, impact, and legacy of CSUSM's Cross-Cultural Center (CCC), the oldest identity-focused student success center on campus)
- CSUSM oral histories (finding aid | subjects: interviews with individuals from across campus, including students, staff, faculty, and alumni)
- Dan Rios papers (finding aid | photo archive of the chief photographer of the Escondido Times-Advocate and North County Times newspapers, contains many images of CSUSM)
- Green Tiger Press collection (finding aid | subjects: contains some campus history related to buildings rented by Green Tiger Press to the university, including the University Library; collection mostly covers the history of Green Tiger Press)
- Henry Rodriguez collection (finding aid | subjects: life and accomplishments of Henry Rodriguez (Luiseño), culture bearer, activist, and respected elder; contains records related to his work with the university, among other things)
- Leadership North County records (finding aid | public/private partnership to grow community leaders who will serve as catalysts in building a stronger region.
- Together/Apart: The COVID-19 Community Memory Archive (finding aid | subjects: COVID-19, especially the pandemic; includes student, staff, and faculty perspectives from the pandemic. For official university response to the COVID-19 pandemic, see the COVID-19 records in CSUSM's University Archives).
- Voices of North County (digital collections | contains published oral histories and transcripts of CSUSM students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni)