The University of Redlands is a private, nonprofit university located in Redlands, California, United States, offering both liberal arts and professional programs. The University's main, residential campus is situated on 160 acres (65 ha) near downtown Redlands. An additional seven regional locations throughout Southern California provide programs for working adults. Founded in 1907 as a Baptist institution, the school is now independent and ended compulsory religious services in 1972, although it maintains an informal relationship with the group American Baptist Churches USA and students there continue to engage in community service.History of the University of RedlandsFounding the UniversityThe University of Redlands had its roots in the founding of two other American Baptist institutions, California College in Oakland, and Los Angeles University. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake damaged the finances of California College, a Baptist commission began exploring the liquidation of both institutions to develop a new institution in Southern California. The Reverend Jasper Newton Field, a Baptist pastor at Redlands, persuaded the Redlands Board of Trade to propose a donation of at least $100,000 and 40acre for an interdenominational campus on land donated by layman Mr. K.C. Wells. On June 27, 1907 the Commission voted all in favor of the Redlands proposal.Ground was broken on April 9, 1909, on the hill where the administration building now stands. Nine founding faculty members held their first day of classes in the Redlands Baptist Church on September 30, 1909, with 39 students attending.
