The new site, seen at http://www.calstate.edu/impact, highlights a landmark study that the CSU recently conducted, the first time a systemwide impact analysis of this magnitude has been undertaken. The results show that the CSU is an economic, social and cultural powerhouse in the state of California, directly or indirectly affecting every resident of the state.

The Web site includes information about California State University, Fresno’s economic impact. Fresno State's direct economic impact on its neighboring communities and the San Joaquin Valley region is enormous— $453.7 million. This impact sustains nearly 15,300 jobs in the region and generates more than $43.2 million per year in tax revenue. Even greater—$1.4 billion of the earnings by alumni from Fresno State are attributable to their CSU degrees.

According to the study, the entire CSU's direct economic impact on the state of California is $7.46 billion. This direct spending in California generates a total impact of $13.6 billion in the state's economy. This impact sustains more than 207,000 jobs in California and generates more than $760 million a year in state and local annual taxes. In 2002/03, the 1.7 million CSU alumni working in California earned an estimated $89 billion in income, of which $25.3 billion is attributable to their CSU degrees. When the impact of enhanced alumni earnings is taken into account, the CSU's impact reaches $53 billion.

The new site offers more detailed information about the significant role the CSU and its campuses play in specific industries and regions throughout the state.

Throughout the year, CSU leaders have been traveling around the state and meeting with various industry and community leaders to discuss the report and the CSU's efforts to prepare students for California's workforce. As a part of this ongoing effort, CSU leaders will be holding a forum at Cal Poly Pomona on June 2 with representatives from the hotel management and tourism industry. More information.