Cypress College
Encyclopedia
Cypress College is a community college
located in Cypress
, California
. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education (51 associates degrees), transfer courses (58 transfer majors), and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degree
s and certificate
s.
Fees at Cypress College are established by the California State Legislature. Currently, in-state enrollment fees are $26 per unit (credit hour), with the average class costing $78. The college administers more than $12 million in financial aid annually.
Cypress College operates with a decentralized approach of separate academic "divisions," allowing the benefits of both a small and large college campus. Each of the campus' instructional buildings was designed with a commons area where students with similar majors could meet and study.
The campus, covering an area of 440,000 square meters, was designed by architect Frank Lawyer of the Austin
, Texas
-based firm Caudill Rowlett Scott
. It features several futuristic
looking buildings set around a central lake. The college is noteworthy in that it has never completely abandoned the style of buildings it was initially created with. The school's new library, which opened on January 30, 2006, still bears heavy resemblance to the school's original buildings, though the use of concrete is de-emphasized in favor of glass.
Cypress College is located in the shadow of major tourist attractions such as Disney's theme parks and Downtown Disney
(about six miles), Knotts' Berry Farm (less than five miles), and The Block entertainment complex (about 10 miles). The campus is 12 miles from the beach and is proximus to Long Beach, California
and Los Angeles
. The campus is located at 9200 Valley View Street in the city of Cypress.
The college is a part of the North Orange County Community College District
. The campus is also part of the California Community College System.
state licensure examination. Approximately 24% of students fail the RN program.
program in the greater Orange County
and Greater Los Angeles
areas and is one of only two such public programs in the state of California. Two fictitious characters on the hit HBO program Six Feet Under were written in as graduates of the Cypress College program because of its stature in the industry.
test, or by completing an ESL
program at a school with which the college has a transfer agreement. This sort of agreement is also called "TOEFL Waiver".
¹ Served in an interim capacity.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
located in Cypress
Cypress, California
Cypress is a suburban city located in the northern region of Orange County within Southern California. Its population was 47,802 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education (51 associates degrees), transfer courses (58 transfer majors), and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
s and certificate
Academic certificate
An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.In many countries, certificate is a qualification attained in secondary education. For instance, students in the Republic of Ireland sit the Junior Certificate...
s.
Overview
Cypress College's student population is nearly 17,000 per semester, though that number has fluctuated (currently experiencing historically high levels and going as low as 12,500) in recent years based on the level of state funding provided and other economic factors. The college features a strong mix of ethnic diversity in its student population: 33% are Caucasian, 27% are Latinos, 19% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 8% are Filipino, 6% are African American, and 5% are from other ethnicities or their ethnicity is unidentified.Fees at Cypress College are established by the California State Legislature. Currently, in-state enrollment fees are $26 per unit (credit hour), with the average class costing $78. The college administers more than $12 million in financial aid annually.
Cypress College operates with a decentralized approach of separate academic "divisions," allowing the benefits of both a small and large college campus. Each of the campus' instructional buildings was designed with a commons area where students with similar majors could meet and study.
The campus, covering an area of 440,000 square meters, was designed by architect Frank Lawyer of the Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-based firm Caudill Rowlett Scott
Caudill Rowlett Scott
Caudill Rowlett Scott was an architecture firm in Houston, Texas.In 2005, it was named "Firm of the Century" by Texas A&M University College of Architecture ....
. It features several futuristic
Futurist architecture
Futurist architecture is an early-20th century form of architecture characterized by anti-historicism and long horizontal lines suggesting speed, motion and urgency. Technology and even violence were among the themes of the Futurists. The movement was founded by the poet Filippo Tommaso...
looking buildings set around a central lake. The college is noteworthy in that it has never completely abandoned the style of buildings it was initially created with. The school's new library, which opened on January 30, 2006, still bears heavy resemblance to the school's original buildings, though the use of concrete is de-emphasized in favor of glass.
Cypress College is located in the shadow of major tourist attractions such as Disney's theme parks and Downtown Disney
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
(about six miles), Knotts' Berry Farm (less than five miles), and The Block entertainment complex (about 10 miles). The campus is 12 miles from the beach and is proximus to Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The campus is located at 9200 Valley View Street in the city of Cypress.
The college is a part of the North Orange County Community College District
North Orange County Community College District
The North Orange County Community College District , located in Orange County, California, offers associate degrees and adult education certificates through Cypress College, Fullerton College and the School of Continuing Education...
. The campus is also part of the California Community College System.
Automotive Technology
Cypress College's Automotive Technology program is one of the premier automotive training programs in California. Students in this program can receive certificates and degrees in over 10 areas of study. Cypress College has been in partnership with Toyota Motor Sales in the Toyota Technician Training and Education Network (Toyota T-TEN) since 1988 to provide students an opportunity to work towards job placement as a trained technician at Toyota and Lexus dealerships in southern California. Graduates of this program are also working in the community as technicians and shop owners. With five full time instructors and six adjunct instructors, our faculty has the experience and certification to offer the best in Automotive training. Visit the facility and judge for yourself.Registered Nursing
Cypress College Registered Nursing program graduates scored a 97.26% pass-rate in the 2004/2005 test years, 95.38% pass-rate for 2005/2006 test years, and 98.91% pass rate in the 2006/2007 test years on the State of California Board of Registered Nursing NCLEXNCLEX
NCLEX is an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. There are two types, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN....
state licensure examination. Approximately 24% of students fail the RN program.
Mortuary Science
Cypress College is home to the only Mortuary scienceFuneral director
A funeral director , also known as a mortician or undertaker, is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony...
program in the greater Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and Greater Los Angeles
Greater Los Angeles Area
The Greater Los Angeles Area, or the Southland, is a term used for the Combined Statistical Area sprawled over five counties in the southern part of California, namely Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Ventura County...
areas and is one of only two such public programs in the state of California. Two fictitious characters on the hit HBO program Six Feet Under were written in as graduates of the Cypress College program because of its stature in the industry.
International Students
International students are required to show proof of English ability before being accepted into the school. Students can demonstrate their English ability either by taking the TOEFLTOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL , evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting....
test, or by completing an ESL
ESL
ESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
program at a school with which the college has a transfer agreement. This sort of agreement is also called "TOEFL Waiver".
Notable alumni
- Jason BatesJason BatesJason Charles Bates is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played a total of four seasons, spanning from 1995-1998. Bates played his final game on September 27, 1998, as a member of the Colorado Rockies....
- Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
- Major League Baseball Player - Brian DowningBrian DowningBrian Jay Downing is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers.- Chicago Years :...
- California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
- Major League Baseball Player - Ben FranciscoBen FranciscoLouis Ben Francisco is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right handed.-Early life:...
- Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Keith GinterKeith GinterMilwaukee Brewers 2011Keith Michael Ginter is a former American Major League Baseball infielder now playing for the Orange County Flyers in the independent Golden Baseball League. Ginter is a graduate of Fullerton High School in Fullerton, California...
- Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
- Major League Baseball Player - Charles GipsonCharles GipsonCharles Wells Gipson Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , and Houston Astros ....
- Major League Baseball Player - Vince Hizon - Professional basketball player
- Trevor HoffmanTrevor HoffmanTrevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
- San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
- Major League Baseball Pitcher - Geri JewellGeri Jewell-External links:*...
- ActorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
& comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
best known for roles on the televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
program The Facts of LifeThe Facts of Life (TV series)The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
and HBO's DeadwoodDeadwood (TV series)Deadwood is an American Western drama television series created, produced and largely written by David Milch. The series aired on the premium cable network HBO from March 21, 2004, to August 27, 2006, spanning three 12-episode seasons. The show is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, before... - Gerald LairdGerald LairdGerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
- Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
- Major League Baseball Player - Steven LeeSteven Lee (music producer)Steven Lee is a multi-platinum Korean-American music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He studied music & theory in California State University, Los Angeles, and began a career in music songwriting and production after he won "Star Search 2002" as a music producer at Studio56 in...
- Multi Platinum Music Producer - Pat MartinPat Martin (Broadcaster)-Early life:Martin grew up in Southern California. He attended Lynwood High School and then Magnolia High School in Anaheim. He then attended Cypress College before transferring to San Diego State University, where he began working at campus radio station KCR-FM....
- radio personality, Sacramento KRXQKRXQKRXQ is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California, broadcasting on 98.5 FM. The station airs an active rock music format branded as "98 Rock"... - Keith McDonald - Major League Baseball Player
- David NewhanDavid NewhanDavid Matthew Newhan is a former Major League Baseball player. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed...
- Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
-Major League Baseball Player (attended) - Augie OjedaAugie OjedaOctavio "Augie" Ojeda is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
- Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
- Major League Baseball Player - Jeff PattersonJeff PattersonJeffrey Simmons Patterson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Patterson was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 58th round of the 1988 draft. He pitched three career games in the major leagues, all with the New York Yankees in . He allowed 3 hits in 3.1 innings pitched with an ERA...
- New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
- Major League Baseball Player - Taylor RainTaylor RainTaylor Rain is a former American pornographic actress.- Career :Rain first entered the pornographic video industry in November 2001. In 2003, she signed an exclusive two-year performing contract with Legend Video which would allow her to cut back on the number of scenes she performed in and...
- pornographic actress - Chris Klosterman - NY Yankees draftee, Frontier League All Star - Indie Minor League All Star, Graphic artist to stars
- Greg SmithGreg SmithGregory Smith may refer to:*Greg Smith , Australian Liberal politician; New South Wales Legislative Assembly member for Epping and Attorney-General of New South Wales...
- Movie & Television Star - Steve SmythSteve SmythSteve Smyth is the guitarist for the metal band Forbidden.-Biography:Smyth was born in Northern California and started his career in the female-fronted melodic progressive metal band Ariah after graduation in 1988. Ariah never released an official studio album, but they recorded a few songs and...
- Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
- Major League Baseball Player - Gwen StefaniGwen StefaniGwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
- singer, No DoubtNo DoubtNo Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact... - Eric StefaniEric StefaniEric Matthew Stefani is an American musician, composer, writer and animator, best known as a former member of the pop rock band No Doubt. He is the older brother of Gwen Stefani and is also a former animator on the animated sitcom The Simpsons.-Biography:Stefani attended Loara High School in...
- musician, formerly of No DoubtNo DoubtNo Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact... - Cory SullivanCory SullivanCory Sullivan is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies organizations.-Personal life:...
- Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
- Major League Baseball Player - Jason VargasJason VargasJason Matthew Vargas is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He has played parts of two seasons in the major leagues with the Florida Marlins, part of one season in the major leagues with the New York Mets and the last two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.-College...
- Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
- Major League Baseball Pitcher
Cypress College campus presidents
- Dan Walker, 1966–1970
- Omar Scheidt, 1970–1977
- Don Bedard, 1977-1978 ¹
- Jack Scott, 1978–1987
- Elma Clamp, 1987-1988 ¹
- Kirk Avery, 1988–1992
- Tom Harris, Jr., 1992-1994 ¹
- Christine Johnson, 1995–1998
- Don Bedard, 1998-1999 ¹
- Margie Lewis, 1999–2007
- Michael J. Kasler, 2007–present
¹ Served in an interim capacity.