History of EOP

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), founded in 1969 as an Affirmative Action movement, has been a major player in the success of low income students in California for the last thirty years. EOP came about as a result of riots and protests during the late 60's and early 70's. Through Senate Bill 1072, the California government said to the people that there was a need to provide access for first generation, underprepared, and disadvantaged students to higher education. It also further stated that the California State Universities would provide a set of services to help these students to compete in the university setting. Each campus would provide a director and counselors as well as other support staff in order to make these services available. Monies were also provided for grants. The "master plan" of the law makers for Senate Bill 1072 was to give every student who capable and who had a desire to attend college should be afforded the opportunity to do so.

Arturo Franco was the first EOP director on the campus of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Franco, in the 1970's was a high school teacher in the Whittier High School district. During this time, he was very active in the Latino/Chicano community. When Senate Bill 1072 was passed, and a director was needed for the Fullerton campus, Franco, with the support of his community, applied for the position. The EOP program has been at CSUF for 30 years and is currently directed by Dr. Jeremiah Moore.