Educational opportunity programs emerged during the Civil Rights movement of the late 1960s to address lack of access to higher education for a segment of the population. The San Francisco State College Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) began in the fall of 1968 with 275 student participants, coinciding with the start of the SFSC strike in November. The program’s purpose was to increase access, academic excellence and retention of students from historically underserved communities, including low-income students and people of color. Its first director was Reginald Major who, along with Associate Director Tony Salamaca and Financial Aid Assistant Director Rita Reagan, oversaw 25 tutor-coordinators, five counselors, and support staff. The program recruited students, scheduled EOP classes, and provided academic counseling. The program continues to this day.