1968: Business and civic leaders in North San Diego County work to interest state legislators and educational leaders to develop a state university in their region.
1978: Assemblyman William A. Craven obtains state funds to begin a satellite facility for San Diego State University.
1979: The North County satellite campus began offering classes in Vista.
1980: The campus moves to larger facilities rented from the City of San Marcos.
1980: The site of an old chicken ranch is chosen for the future campus.
1989: Governor George Deukmejian signs into law a new state university — California State University San Marcos--the first comprehensive U.S. university to be founded in two decades and the 20th campus in the CSU system.
1989: Classes begin at "Cal State Jerome's," nicknamed for the shopping mall campus next to Jerome’s Furniture.
1990: Enrollment consists of 280 full-time students.
1992: Craven Hall, Academic Hall, and Science Hall I open on the new campus site.
1998: University Hall opens.
2002: Science Hall II and the Arts Building open.
2003: University Village Apartments open.
2003: M. Gordon Clarke Field House/University Student Union opens.
2004: Kellogg Library opens.
2006: Markstein Hall opens.
2007: Center for Children and Families opens.2008: Construction begins on Social and Behavioral Sciences building and the McMahan House.
2008: Enrollment consists of 9,000 students.
