Academic Assembly Remarks

Fall 2004

August 17, 2004

Greetings and welcome back to the fall semester.  I hope that you had a refreshing summer. Welcome to our new colleagues who are joining the Fresno State community. 

You should have received a newsletter that details many of the things occurring this summer.

I am pleased to be able to report to you that the future for California State University, Fresno remains bright.  There are three key trends I’d like to point out to you that bode extremely well for this university and the region it serves.

First, the state government’s commitment to higher education remains strong, despite the state’s budget crisis.  Both the governor and the legislature have made every effort to preserve and enhance California’s system of higher education and maintain its commitment to access. 

An important step in this ongoing commitment was the agreement established in May between Governor Schwarzenegger, the California State University and the University of California.  A six-year plan was set in place that allows the university to effectively plan for the future.  The plan provides for reasonable and known fee increases and predictable funding increases to enable us to serve this dynamic and growing part of California. I appreciate the hard work of Chancellor Reed and our Board in ensuring that the CSU system is acknowledged for its unique role in the state and establishing the system as a full partner in building the educational foundation for California’s future.

The compact, between the governor and California universities, takes effect in 2005-06 and continues through 2010-11. The compact that’s in place funds 2.5 percent annual enrollment growth in 2005-06 and 2006-07.  In addition, a commitment was made to provide a three per cent increase in our base budget in each of these years. Increases in years beyond that are slightly higher.

The “compact” proposes a three-year plan for fee increases for CSU and UC undergraduate and graduate students. The fees will increase 14 percent for undergraduates this year and eight percent in each of the next two years. The fee increase will be higher for graduate students.

Of course, no one likes to see fee increases, but the fees set forth in the agreement are very moderate and are at a level for which students and parents can reasonably plan.  California’s public universities continue to provide the highest level of education at the lowest cost in the United States.  Keeping the door of opportunity open for all deserving California students is key to the future economic vitality of our state.

As we begin this year, the budget is better than we anticipated.  The passage of the state budget just a few days ago means we will be able to offer admission for the spring semester to 530 additional students. Ironically, at a time when our budget is tight, demand for our classes has never been greater.  Now, with the agreement of the governor and the legislature, 530 more students will have the chance to enroll at Fresno State…and not languish on a waiting list.  That’s the best news we could ever have.  I am grateful to the Democratic leaders in the legislature who fought hard to open the doors to these students.

Nevertheless, we face a very difficult year financially. Provost Echeverria and I will be fine tuning the best ways to focus the additional dollars to get the maximum benefit for students.  We will be bringing back some part-time instructors who had received a layoff notice earlier this summer to teach much needed classes.  We will also be able to restore and maintain several of our outreach and academic preparation programs.  Overall, $40.3 million was restored to the CSU system in this year’s budget.  In our case we will have an additional $3.2 million dollars beyond what we anticipated this spring. Those funds will be allocated according to our Level A allocation percentages and will allow some relief from the drastic reductions we anticipated. However, we will still be operating with a reduction of $7.8 million from this past year’s base budget.

Thus, the major actions which I outlined in my April, 2004 budget plan will remain intact. We can be proud of the cooperative work which occurred to build our budget plan and I thank the Deans, University Budget committee and many others who participated in this difficult process.

Those one-time actions included a reduction of management and staff positions; a reduction of enrollment; and consolidation and suspension of programs, options and activities. 

We’re considering refinements in the operation of institutional research, information technology, graduate programs, academic personnel services, and human resources, payroll and benefits. We will continue to focus our resources for instruction of college-ready students with ongoing efforts to reduce remediation.

But the improving budget situation is only the first of three positive trends at Fresno State.  Here’s the second major trend…

Fresno State is now engaged in one of the largest programs of new construction in our 94-year history.  The Science II building, just a few steps from this Satellite Student Union, is becoming a signature landmark of this campus.  This beautifully designed building makes a strong statement to the region about Fresno State’s commitment to the basic sciences.  Between the Science II building and the Downing Planetarium is the new Downing Planetarium Museum. 

The science museum is designed as a complement to the planetarium which is already being visited by tens of thousands of students each year.  Now the new Science II building, combined with the planetarium, new science museum and our existing science facilities, will inspire young people for years into the future. The Science II facility will open in January, 2005. Following this opening we will begin the demolition of the San Ramon buildings!

This fall construction begins on the Student Recreation Center, located just west of the Save Mart Center.  This major new addition to the campus is funded by a student fee approved in a winter 2000 referendum.  The new recreational center will add to the quality of student life at Fresno State.  Not only can students take pride in their campus’ academic programs, they also can appreciate a wealth of recreational and entertainment opportunities right here on campus.  The section of campus around the Save Mart Center will continue to evolve as a focus of community life.

Work is advancing quickly on the Ricchiuti Academic Center and the Duncan Building Expansion. Also, construction on the first phase of the International Center for Water Technology begins in this fall.

The heart of any campus is its library and over the next few months you’ll begin seeing the first work begin on what will be a massive renovation of the Henry Madden Library. 

As we all know, the library has been hard pressed of late by space and equipment needs.  The improvements that the new work on the library will bring will make the Madden Library one of the finest libraries at any university in the state. 

These aren’t just boastful claims.  These are the simple facts.  Let me put this in perspective for you.  The improvements to the library are similar to the investment made in building the Save Mart Center.  The library improvements are over $90 million and the Save Mart Center – a brand new building constructed from the ground-up – was just over $100 million. 

Another interesting parallel between the two buildings: one was financed by donors and sponsors; the other through the support of California voters to approve a higher education bond.  Neither building would be here without the support of the community.  If you ever wonder about the support of our community…of our region…for Fresno State, you need only look at these magnificent buildings.

In 2006, the old sections of the library will be essentially razed and a new library structure built in their place.  All of this poses some interesting questions.  Just what do you do with one million volumes while the new sections of the library are being built? Vice-President Teniente-Matson, her staff and the Library staff have begun the examination of alternatives. These alternatives will be reviewed with the appropriate campus committees this fall. 

Also this year, we will work towards improvements to the Peace Garden.  The committee, headed by Dr. Jeannine Raymond, will select an artist to do a sculpture of Jane Addams and complete fund raising.

But all of the improvements aren’t above the ground.  Probably one of the most important improvements we are putting in place is one that is the least noticed. The CSU system is investing over $18 million on our campus to ensure that we have the most capable computer and networking infrastructure possible. 

The campus will be crisscrossed by a sophisticated fiber optic network that operates at gigabit speeds.  And how fast is that?  Well…real fast.  Files that used to take several minutes to transmit will now take a second or two.  It will make things like videoconferencing commonplace, and distance learning more “real-time,” interactive and accessible. 

Over the next months you’ll be seeing considerable construction work start as the network is installed across the campus.  There will be disruption of campus life as trenches are dug, new buildings go up, and new network cable is brought to buildings throughout the campus.  We’ll do everything possible to minimize the fuss, but please bear with our colleagues as they make these improvements. We’ll keep you informed as the work affects your area. We will also accelerate our work in building a wireless environment on the campus and in updating our classrooms. 

And now our third positive trend…Fresno State is moving strongly forward on its comprehensive campaign for private support…

Over the past several years, I have spoken with you about Fresno State as the University for the New California.  We’ve talked about seeing a vision of what this university…and what this region of the state…can become. 

Every day is confirmation to me that we are on the right course.  To take advantage of these changing conditions we must prepare an educated work force.  To continue to build a great university we must earn the support of private donors. We must demonstrate our value to the region’s economic and cultural development.

One more sign that we are on the right track -- Fresno State’s recent selection as one of only four public universities in the United States for a pilot project to strengthen engagement with their communities.  This project, called Making Place Matter, is supported by a partnership between the 430-campus American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and is funded through the Kellogg Foundation.

The project is funding an intensive process here at Fresno State and three other campuses across the county to identify opportunities and barriers that exist in this region. Fresno State was singled out for this honor because we were already recognized as a driving force for our region…a university committed to change…with a clear potential to be a model for other campuses across the country.

The work we have done in our region has challenged this community to think about new possibilities.  There are three very important measures on the ballot this November that I will personally support and I urge you to learn all that you can about these measures.

Measure B:  Measure B, a sales tax of one-eighth of one percent for improvement of library service throughout Fresno County, was approved by the voters in November of 1998.  It is due to expire in 2006.  The Board of Supervisors, with support from Citizens for Libraries and Literacy, has placed a measure on the November ballot to continue the sales tax at the present level for an additional seven years.

Measure Z:  Years of under funding have caused our zoo to seriously deteriorate, with millions of dollars needed immediately for repairs and restoration.  Measure Z is the smallest sales tax initiative ever put before Fresno County voters (one tenth of one percent).  These funds will not go to the government, but to a non-profit corporation formed to restore and professionally manage the Chaffee Zoo.

Measure J:  The Tourism Jobs Initiative, is a ‘transient occupancy tax” and would be paid by travelers who stay in hotels and motels in the County’s unincorporated areas.  It is not a tax on County residents.  The funds collected from the charge would be used exclusively to invest in countrywide tourism promotion.  The return on Measure J is conservatively estimated to be 5,000 tourism related jobs and increased visitor spending, which in turn means more local sales tax revenue.  Hotels and motels in the County’s 15 incorporated cities already collect this tax and will not be affected by Measure J.  All but two of California’s 58 counties have this tax.  Measure J will expire in seven years unless the voters decide to renew it.

Our campus community is preparing for the largest fund raising program in our history. Planning for the comprehensive campaign has moved ahead aggressively over the past year and throughout the summer. All of the schools and colleges have worked together to develop a vision of the future that is both achievable and well focused.  We’re now assessing and refining the projects that will be the heart of the campaign.

There is much more work to be done as we meet with community leaders to set the goals for the campaign, better organize our fund raising efforts, conduct prospect research, and develop a strong base of volunteers.  The very early responses we’re seeing from potential donors are very positive, but there’s much more work to be done to prepare the campus and the community for the full campaign.  There will many different ways you can to be involved in the campaign.

How can you be involved?  You can share names of prospective donors, help with introductions and make connections. You can present our outstanding students and programs to regional and local meetings.  You can agree to be featured in campus publications and news items.

You can give…by writing a check, setting up a bequest and promoting the campaign with colleagues.  You can team up with our development staff as they solicit major gifts.  Overall, I need you to be advocates for the good work of this university both on and off campus and to share your creative ideas with academic leadership and our advancement staff.

A list of the ways you can become involved in the months and years ahead is available on the FresnoStateNews.com Web site.

Last year we engaged in a year-long process which involved many faculty and administrators to set the direction for the campaign.

We’ve identified six major areas of emphasis for the comprehensive campaign  Those themes are Transforming the University, Celebrating the Arts and Cultures of New California, Making the Region Work, Creating a Healthier Valley, Transforming World Class Agriculture, and Educating our Children.  Within these broad themes we’re advancing a list of ambitious goals – which are still subject to additional refinement.  Here is a glimpse of where we will be heading….

In the area of “Transforming the University” we will seek donor support for an expansion of joint doctoral programs, a center for faculty development, and enhancement of the Classics and Creative Writing programs.  We will seek support for academic and athletic scholarships, and further enhance the Smittcamp Honors College, the McNair Program, the Craig Honors Program and add an honors program in engineering.  We will expand our Political Archives, further enhance the library, add a Student Wellness Center and diversify the Study Abroad program.

Fresno State is blessed to be located in one of the most culturally diverse and dynamic areas of the world. Celebrating the Arts and Cultures of the New California emerged as a key focus for the campaign.  We will seek to develop a Central Valley Heritage Center and a program to document and trace the “Music of the Americas.”

Under the theme “Making the Region Work,” Fresno State will dramatically reinforce the university’s role as the economic engine of Central California. 

Among the enhancements that will be targets of the campaign:   

• The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• A Center for Marketing Services and Logistics

• A Real Estate and Land Use Center, to better trace the dramatic changes in our region

• An Information Systems Program      

• An Ethics Program     

• A new Advanced Materials Center

• A Center for Energy and the Environment

• A Criminology/Forensics Center

• A new Social Science Research Center and broadening the scope of the Maddy Institute for Public Policy

• And a Center to Study and Develop Community-Based Learning Programs and Student Service Leadership

The comprehensive campaign will focus on “Creating a Healthier Valley” through multi-million dollar projects to expand and diversify our nursing program, and to enhance and sustain the Children’s Health Institute and Health Policy Institute.

The University will devote renewed attention to the educational challenges in “The New California” with a major expansion of the Central Valley Educational Leadership Institute.  Fresno State recognizes its important role in the preparation of teachers and the education of young people in our region and will devote much of the campaign effort to this area.  The campaign will also seek donors willing to underwrite the creation of a Literacy Center and broaden the resources of the Arne Nixon Children’s Literature Center.

Finally, “Transforming the World Class Agriculture” of California will always remain an important mission of this campus, and is an area of emphasis in the comprehensive campaign.  We envision the creation of an International Institute of Viticulture and Enology, building upon the stature of our existing programs.  Fresno State is now seen as a major player in the development of California’s fine wines.  The comprehensive campaign will strongly underscore that work. 

We will seek major donor investments in the International Center for Water Technology and a new Center for Food and Nutrition Innovation.  We’re also exploring the development of an Agri-Biotechnology Research and Development Center that would apply Fresno State’s academic strengths to the practical needs of San Joaquin Valley agriculture.

That’s an overview of the direction of the campaign.  Those goals represent one-quarter of a billion dollars in new support for the academic excellence of our campus beyond our base support.  This campaign won’t be easy. It will call for unprecedented community involvement and the ongoing active involvement of our faculty and staff.  I am personally committed to making the campaign a success. The future of this great university will depend on all of our success. 

We’re leading the way in agriculture, water technology, health policy, business development and entrepreneurship, international business, public affairs, and disabilities studies.  Over the past year our faculty members have directed deep space astronomy with the Hubble Space Telescope.  We’ve seen U.S. News & World Report’s 2004 rankings on “America’s Best Graduate Schools” place our Rehabilitation Counseling Program among the top 20 in the country.  We’ve seen our International Center for Water Technology Center gain millions in federal funds as we work with the San Joaquin Valley Water Technology Cluster, an organization of more than 40 American manufacturers of water technology products.

As you have learned, we can look forward to a new library that will serve this entire region. This addition will provide the knowledge the University needs to nourish the entire region.

Yes, the trends are up in “the New California.”

It’s a new day for the people of the New California.  And our university…Fresno State…is providing the opportunity to realize our dreams. Our university is helping to lead the way to an exciting future for Central California. I thank all of you for making that happen.

EDITORS and NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORS: Press releases can be downloaded at www.fresnostatenews.com. University Relations also provides releases for news media companies via e-mail. To be added to the distribution list, send your e-mail address to tomu@csufresno.edu.