In 1957, COS was founded after a special election. Buildings on the current location first opened their doors on September 8, 1959. Facilities at the Weed Campus include Herschel Meredith Stadium for football and track and field events, Kenneth W. Ford Theater for musical and theatrical performances, tactical training center and five-story fire training tower, two-story science complex, two on-campus resident lodges; and in Yreka, the Rural Health Science Institute and Training Center. COS also is known for its administration of justice program, paramedic program, nursing program, and fire academy, considered by many to be the best in California. It has been fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1961, the Fire/Emergency Response Technology Program is approved by the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the Emergency Medical Technician, Licensed Vocational Nursing and Registered Nursing Programs are accredited by the proper state agencies. The nursing programs, including the LVN to RN step up program, are a hallmark of the College of the Siskiyous. Music, Theater, and Visual Arts classes are also popular with the students at College of the Siskiyous. A common misconception about COS is that it is named after Siskiyou County. But it is actually named after the Siskiyou Mountains, a mountain range that runs along the California-Oregon border, which is referred to as "the Siskiyous". Siskiyou County is located in far northern California, approximately 30 miles south of the Oregon border, with a population of about 45,000 residents. The current president of COS is Stephen Schoonmaker, Ed.D., who is the 12th president.
Athletics
College of the Siskiyous athletic mascot is the Eagle. COS offers student intercollegiate athletic competition in a number of sports. Women's collegiate sports include: basketball, softball, cross country, track, soccer, and volleyball. Men's collegiate sports include: baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track, and football. Under the direction of Head Football Coach, Charlie Roche, the Football team was the 2012 winner of the Top of the State Bowl. For two consecutive years, the football team was conference champion of the Mid Empire Football league and was host of the Top of the State Bowl Game. In 2014, COS hosted and won the North State Bowl Game, against Shasta College of Redding, California. In 2017, the Eagle Football team finished conference with a record of 8-2, winning all five of their home games. The COS Women's Basketball team is also widely known for its program. Under the direction of long-time Head CoachTom Powers, the Women's Basketball team has been Golden Valley Conference Champions for the last seven consecutive years, and in 2017 was the California Community College State Runner-up in Women's Basketball.
