California State University Monterey Bay is situated between the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay, in Seaside, California. It is commonly referred to as Cal State Monterey Bay. It is a 1,387-acre campus, which was once the army base to hundreds of families and local community members. The university emphasizes to offer quality higher education for traditionally underserved and low-income populations in the community. The Cal State Monterey Bay was founded in 1994, after the closure of Fort Ord - the largest U.S. Army base. A small team of university officials, employees, contractors, and community members worked hard to change the 77-year-old military outpost into a full-fledged university. The first academic classes were started in August 1995. The campus was visited by U.S. President, Bill Clinton. The other facilities on campus include a Campus Health Center and the Library Learning Complex. The first new building on the campus was constructed during the academic year 2001-2002. CSU Monterey Bay offers a total of 14 undergraduate degrees, four graduate degrees, and several teacher certification options. Some of the college departments include arts, humanities and social science, professional studies, university studies, and media arts and technology. Cal State Monterey Bay is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.