The College was founded in 1878 as the "law department" of the University of California. UC Hastings is the oldest public law school in California. Founded by Chief Justice Serranus Clinton Hastings, the College was established by the California Legislature with its own Board of Directors which has operated the College independently of the Board of Regents of the University of California since its founding. Hastings is located near the Civic Center and Tenderloin areas of San Francisco. The physical plant consists of three buildings with a total square footage of approximately 639,000 sf and a 395-stall parking garage. The age of the facilities ranges from 34 years to over 85 years old. Currently, the campus serves approximately 970 full-time students.