| Fitchburg State University | |
| Former Names: | State Normal School in Fitchburg (1894–1932) State Teachers College at Fitchburg (1932–1960) State College at Fitchburg (1960–1965) Fitchburg State College (1965–2010) |
| Motto: | Perseverantia |
| Type: | Public university |
| Endowment: | $19.9 million (2018)[1] |
| Budget: | $86 million (FY 2014)[2] |
| Faculty: | 194 full-time |
| President: | Richard S. Lapidus |
| Students: | 6,554[3] (fall 2022) |
| Undergrad: | 3,421 (2019)[4] |
| Postgrad: | 1,238 (2019) |
| City: | Fitchburg, Massachusetts |
| Country: | U.S. |
| Campus: | Urban, (main campus) total[5] |
| Colors: | Green & gold |
| Mascot: | Falcon |
| Athletics Affiliations: | NCAA Division III – MASCAC, NEFC |
| Sports Nickname: | Falcons |
| Accreditation: | NECHE |
Fitchburg State University (Fitchburg State) is a public university in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It has 3,421 undergraduate and 1,238 graduate/continuing education students, for a total student body enrollment of 4,659.[6] The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in 25 academic disciplines. The main campus, the McKay Campus School, and athletic fields occupy 79acres in the city of Fitchburg; the biological study fields occupy 120acres in the neighboring towns of Lancaster, Leominster, and Lunenburg.
Fitchburg State University was founded as the State Normal School in Fitchburg in 1894 by the Massachusetts General Court. Its first President was John G. Thompson (President 1895–1920). Initially a secondary-education school for women, the Normal School was not authorized to grant bachelor's degrees until 1930, after the presidency of William D. Parkinson (1920–1927), and during Charles M. Herlihy's (1927–1945) tenure. In 1932, that authorization was extended to all academic disciplines in Education. At the same time, the name was changed to State Teachers College at Fitchburg. Charles M. Herlihy died while in office and was succeeded by William J. Sanders (1945–1950) and Ellis F. White (1950–1953).
During Ralph H. Weston's (1953–1963) presidency of the college, the Education program was the primary focus. That changed in 1960, when the school changed its name to State College at Fitchburg and added degree programs outside of Education. In 1965, the college's name evolved into Fitchburg State College. James J. Hammond (1963–1975), Vincent J. Mara (1975–1995), and Michael P. Riccards (1995-2002) were the next three presidents of the school and added many buildings to the campus, most notably what are now called the Hammond Building and Mara Village.
Under the guidance of President Robert V. Antonucci (2003–2015), the university focused on enhancing its buildings and grounds in addition to growing its academic programs. The school focused on renovations and rehabilitation of underused buildings and areas as opposed to extensive building. Notable buildings include the 3500square feet campus police station (2008)[7] and the Antonucci Science Complex, which included new construction combined with the renovation of the Condike Science Building, in 2011.
Continuing Education at the institution began in the summer of 1915. In 1935 the first graduate programs were established.[8] In July 2010, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate voted to rename Fitchburg State College to Fitchburg State University.[9] The measure was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on July 28, 2010.[10] [11]
The university originally housed students in buildings that now surround the alumni quad.
The campus has six residence halls, three of which have rooms in suites, two are designated as apartment-style living, and one has a normal dormitory layout.[15] [16]
Aubuchon Hall, Mara Village, and Russell Towers are the three suite halls. Each suite has a common living room area, four to six rooms, and a bathroom. Aubuchon Hall and Mara Village have "locked off" suites: A key is needed to get into the suites. Aubuchon is home to the office of Housing and Residential Services, which is located on the first floor. Russell is home to the Student Health Service, which provides students with two nurse practitioners and a physician during the week. Recently, the Campus Mail Center moved to the bottom floor of the Mara Village Commons Building located within the Mara complex.
There are two apartment-style residence halls on campus: the Townhouse Apartments and the North Street Apartments. Because of their layout, both of these halls are usually reserved for upperclassmen. Each one of the 33 Townhouses is equipped with a combination living room/kitchen area, one-and-a-half baths, and individual bedrooms.[17] The North Street Apartment building was acquired in the summer of 2007 and consists of six apartments. Each apartment has five single bedrooms, a full bathroom and a half bathroom, a kitchen and a living room area.
Herlihy Hall is the smallest and oldest of the university's current residence halls but has the largest rooms. It houses 150 students in a normal dormitory style (one long corridor with rooms off it), and has the luxury of being connected to the dining commons.
Mara Village was recently expanded and opened for the fall 2009 semester. The $12 million expansion added 125 beds and allows 50% of the undergraduate population to live on campus.[18]
The campus has also adopted Cedar Street Home as a residence hall. Previously, this building from 1900 was a nursing home. The university bought it in 2005 and to rent the single rooms to girls from sororities. However, in the 2012–2013 academic year the Cedar Street Home became co-ed, and no longer affiliated with sororities specifically.
Holmes Dining Commons, known as the Dining Hall, is the main dining facility on campus. It spans North Street, the main road through campus, and lets foot traffic easily move from one side of the street to the other. It is run by the foodservice Chartwells and is buffet style. In the summer of 2006, it had a $4 million renovation.
Chartwells also offers a food court style eating place in the North Street Bistro, located on the street level of the Hammond Campus Center. Food options at the NSB include BYOB, Create, Cafe, Freshens and Subway. Students are able to pay with their 'Fitchburg Gold' (currency loaded onto their student IDs that functions like a debit card) or with the 'Falcon Dollars' which are included within their meal plan.
Transportation around Fitchburg State University's campus is usually accomplished through walking. Also, there is a shuttle bus (Fitchburg/Leominster Fixed Route, Route 4) that goes from the Wallace Civic Center, through campus, and then to the MBTA Commuter Rail stop. The loop takes about 15 minutes.[19]
The MBTA Commuter Rail stop closest to the university is the Fitchburg stop on the Fitchburg Line. The line ends at North Station in Boston, and is about a 90-minute ride. It is wheelchair accessible and a short walk from campus.[20]
On and off campus transportation is a collaboration between the Fitchburg State University and the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority. Faculty, staff, and students can ride any of the Fitchburg/Leominster Fixed-Routes Buses free of charge.[21]
Fitchburg State University offers 56 undergraduate majors and concentrations in a 25 departments. The university also offers more than 40 graduate and certificate programs.
Fitchburg State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Particular programs are also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Individual programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, the Interstate Certification Compact of Educational Personnel, the State Board of Registration in Nursing, the Board of Higher Education, and the Commonwealth Honors Program.[22]
The university participates in NCAA Division III athletics program. It offers men's baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and ice hockey. Women's sports offered are basketball, soccer, softball, field hockey, lacrosse, and (as of 2017), volleyball. Cross country and track and field are offered for both men and women.[23]
Fitchburg State University also offers a selection of intramural sports each semester. These sports are only students on campus versus other students on campus. The chosen sports can differ from year to year.[24] In the past, they have included rugby, basketball, dodgeball, flag football, floor hockey, kickball, soccer (indoor and outdoor), softball, swimming, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball.
The Fitchburg State University is home to several music ensembles, including Concert Band, Concert and Chamber Choirs, Jazz and Modern Band, Community Orchestra, and the Community Music Lesson Program.
Fitchburg State University recognizes over 60 student clubs and organizations, including the student-run newspaper, The Point,[25] the student-run radio station, WXPL (91.3 FM) and student-run Dance Club, currently the largest club on campus.[26]
Fitchburg State University is home to three fraternities and three sororities. Approximately 4–5% of undergraduate students are affiliated with fraternities and sororities recognized by the university. The recognized fraternities on campus are Sigma Pi, Alpha Phi Delta, and Sigma Tau Gamma, while the recognized sororities are Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Alpha Sigma Tau.
In their 2023 rankings, Fitchburg State was ranked tied at #85 of Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report.[27]