Cedar Crest University is a private nonprofit research university in the city of Winthorpe, founded in 1965, most famed for its engineering and arts programs, and its accepting and diverse student bodies. In demi-human circles, this reputation is especially pertinent as while the university offers no escape from the Masquerade, many young demi-humans and mages are easily able to find a community where they may express themselves. As of 1998, despite its relative youth, it contends for the most acclaimed university in the Greater Offetstine Area.
The campus is famed for its unconventional architecture, often described as "striking", building around and emphasizing the elements of nature strewn about rather than ever imposing upon them. A series of concentric roads and footpaths connect most of the academic buildings on the campus to one another, while residential and communal areas are laid out in a more traditional grid.
As of its Fall 1997 semester, Cedar Crest has approximately 30 000 students[amend] enrolled across its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university is primarily known for its research in both the human and demi-human worlds, many of its alumni taking up prominent roles in the scientific and artistic communities.
History
Cedar Crest University was founded by biologist and botanist Erin Hazell in 1965 after two years of construction, most commonly known for her reportedly eccentric and gleeful attitude, and habit of directly working with students whenever possible. Prior to Cedar Crest, Hazell had worked as a secondary school teacher and reported a frustration with existing education that she swore to channel into her future endeavors.
Campus
The location of Cedar Crest was chosen primarily due to its closeness to nature, specifically the presence of a large cedar tree at the center of the land that would be developed into its campus. Due to its otherwise obscure position and the requisite cost of developing land, the establishment of Cedar Crest was initially funded by the grants of individuals close to Hazell at the time, who shared her vision for more open education, although did not receive government funding due to the seemingly immature proposition made at the time of its funding.
Cedar Crest is often said to have been developed "from the campus out", in contrast to many other universities that prioritized the form of their curriculum over details such as their location. Hazell has personally affirmed this perspective in her book, On Top of the Cedar Tree.
While survey of the land initially concluded that no disruption would occur by developing the area around the cedar tree, the human surveyors were largely unaware of concerns raised by demi-humans and mages about the significance of the forest to the magic of the region. Mages at the time protested that the forested area, and especially the cedar tree that stood at its center, was a fountain of magic that provided for much of the Greater Offetstine Area; thus, they feared, developing the land would cut off their connection to the natural world.
However, it proved difficult to reach out to the surveyors and the construction of the campus was set underway regardless. While the deforestation and terraforming of the land did initially prove to damage the prominence of magic in the region, due to Hazell's insistence on remaining as unintrusive as possible and "preserving the natural beauty of the land", the local leylines soon restabilized. Over time, the campus and lively culture around it began to amplify the magical output of the forest region instead of muddying it, and the university transitioned from an object of ire for local mages to an object of awe.
Expansion
As a relatively young and small university, Cedar Crest does not have many facilities on campus. However, in the past few decades, the campus has grown significantly with the addition of new departments and residences. Many of these additions have been built onto the existing cedar tree or the surrounding forest.
In recent years, Cedar Crest has also begun to explore the development of outside locations for its student body. While Cedar Crest remains the largest and most prestigious university in the Greater Offsetstine Area, it has taken steps to develop relationships with other institutions in order to provide a wider variety of courses for its students.
Demi-Humanity
Due to the Masquerade, Cedar Crest does not openly provide any facilities for mages and demi-humans. However, over time, various communities and niches have emerged to cater to the educational needs of these groups. Most especially, the Mage's Union serves as the de facto hub for all mage students and faculty, which is located centrally within the campus. Though it is not designated a single building, it is home to numerous classrooms, libraries, study rooms, and even a number of private practice areas.
The Mage's Union, despite not being a documented organization in human circles, operates under the auspices of the university. Despite being herself human, Hazell has personally greenlit the Mage's Union upon discovering its existence, and sworn to help maintain its secret. While the Union is a largely independent entity, it is overseen by members of the university staff and strives to maintain a high quality standard of magical education.
The Union provides resources for mages to do their best work and allows them to interact with one another in a comfortable setting. The Union also serves as a social outlet for mages, allowing them to spend their free time in a safe environment.
Academics
Among students and faculty members, Cedar Crest is reputed for its flexible and interdisciplinary coursework, as well as its unique approach to education. It has been widely noted as having a strong focus on experiential learning, and has been commended for the emphasis placed upon practical applications of theory. The university is most famed for its engineering program,[amend] claiming many alumni who have since become notable figures in the fields of technology and science in the Greater Offetstine Area. Students are encouraged to pursue a wide range of interests and experimental approaches, both in class and in their own research projects.
Under Hazell's guidance as a botanist and biologist, the natural sciences program in Cedar Crest has grown to become the flagship of the university's novel approach to education. While the program is not the best of its kind in the local area, it has attracted much attention and praise, and has even inspired similar programs in other institutions in the area.
After its engineering program, Cedar Crest's liberal arts and humanities program is perhaps its most renowned branch of study.[amend] While not as invested in the subject as some neighboring conservatories and academies, Cedar Crest nonetheless offers majors and classes on the topic in accordance with its stated dedication to fostering creativity and self-expression. Many of the university's graduates have gone on to establish themselves as notable artists in the Greater Offsetstine Area. The art department at Cedar Crest has undergone a significant overhaul in recent years to reflect this development, refocusing its efforts on highlighting students' artwork and promoting their talents.