Stanford Cazier - Biographical Background - University President

University President

In July 1971, Cazier replaced Lew D. Oliver as president of Chico State College in northern California. On June 1, 1972, Cazier brought Chico State College into the California State University system, renaming it California State University, Chico. He also oversaw campus expansion, including construction of some larger buildings on campus and the remodeling of the auditorium and administration buildings. During his presidency, the faculty expanded and unionized.

As university president, Cazier confronted issues at the school during the period between the political unrest of the 1960s and the community disruption of the 1980s. In late 1975 and early 1976, student protesters occupied the administration building while upset about the arming of campus security personnel. Cazier also experienced continual budget problems at the university. At his departure in 1979, the school suffered through a state budget crisis, potential budget cuts and continued student political protests. Despite the problems, Cazier was admired by student leaders, faculty, staff, and system-wide officials as an accessible leader and supporter of the academic community.

In 1979, Cazier began a new position as president of Utah State University. He would serve in this position until his retirement in 1992. In 1998, Utah State University named the Cazier Science and Technology Library in his honor. In 2005, the library and another were replaced by a larger consolidated facility named the Merrill-Cazier Library. Cazier remained a full-time professor at Utah State University until 1997 and continued to teach occasional classes as professor emeritus.