Remarks by President John D. Welty

Spring Faculty/Staff Assembly

January 2006

Welcome back to campus. I trust you all have had a refreshing time with friends and family. I am returning to campus with a fresh perspective on the university and the important work we all do. This break has provided an opportunity for some reflection on where we are.

You should know that I am hearing very positive reports about Fresno State as I meet with business leaders, legislators and educators. This is true not only here in Central California, but in Los Angeles and Sacramento; and in Phoenix and Washington D.C.  They have a much better view of the campus and the work we do in health care, agriculture, the arts and education.  The Craig School of Business is often mentioned as playing a leadership role in the invigoration of Central California’s economy. The positive economic impact of our programs in agriculture, water technology and engineering are often cited as setting a path for positive economic growth in California and nationally. 

And the university’s work in job development and entrepreneurship is universally recognized as a fundamental component of the economy of Central California. I also hear consistently about faculty’s commitment to teaching and learning.

I can tell you it’s very encouraging to hear these kinds of comments.  Goodness knows, I’d much rather hear praise than complaints.  …And I’m sure you know that no one ever complains to University Presidents about things happening on campus.

People outside Fresno State sense the change and growth happening here…and they like what they are seeing. Our alumni are becoming more involved in campus life and speak with pride about their alma mater.  And most importantly, our students have more educational options than ever before. They are being taught by the finest faculty in our history. And our graduates are having great success in the arts, human services, in business, in education and community service.

It’s easy to become completely absorbed in the flurry of activity at this campus…it certainly is a challenging and interesting environment in which to work.  But it’s all too easy to overlook or take for granted what the faculty, students and staff of this great university are accomplishing together.  California State University, Fresno is achieving great things. We are transforming Fresno State as we head to our Centennial in 2011.

We’re gaining a clearer vision of the Fresno State to come…and it’s an exciting future. There’s real excitement about the growth of academic programs, the impact of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, the arrival of new faculty members, and the addition of beautiful buildings that dramatically enhance the campus experience. Much work is still to be done…there are many challenges to address, but we are on the right course.

This spring we will complete a draft of the university’s strategic plan. Early this semester the committee will complete the draft which incorporates the academic plan, the physical master plan for the campus, and goals for the entire university enterprise.  There have been and will continue to be numerous opportunities to participate in the strategic planning process or to comment on the elements of the plan.  I appreciate the efforts of the strategic planning committee…the names you have seen on the screen.  The new plan will be simplified and unified into ten or fewer strategic planning directions. You will see those major themes which have been identified at this time. 

The Strategic Planning Committee has drafted a preliminary set of strategic directions based on various planning documents and reports. Early in the semester the committee will distribute the proposed plan for comment before it moves to develop a final proposal for endorsement by the Academic Senate. The relevant materials are available on the Strategic Planning website at www.csufresno.edu/plan. I encourage you to learn more and to get involved.

An important indicator of the progress we are making is the academic strategic plan introduced by the provost last fall. That plan was reviewed over the past several months and Provost Echeverria has received comments from many of you. I strongly endorse the faculty initiatives represented by the plan. The academic plan sets clear directions for the campus as we expand research, improve undergraduate and graduate education, broaden our international programs, and establish more realistic assessment techniques.  Strong research and high quality graduate programs are vital as we do the essential academic work that will transform Central California.

A few years ago, as we prepared for the WASC Accreditation visit, the WASC Steering Committee recommended that we identify characteristics desired in all graduates of California State University, Fresno. 

This list came to be known as the Characteristics of a Fresno State Graduate.  It was first discussed by the WASC Committee, then by the Student Success Task Force, and then by the Academic Senate which adopted an interim list in anticipation of the WASC visit.  The General Education committee is currently examining the outcomes expected of the General Education program in anticipation of its program review scheduled for next year.

Given these efforts and our focus on outcomes in program reviews, it seems appropriate to engage the campus in a discussion of the knowledge, skills, attributes, and traits desired in our graduates.  Early this semester, Provost Echeverria will convene a task force with representatives from across campus to begin developing the profile of a Fresno State graduate.  I anticipate that this profile will be used to guide us as we develop curricular and extracurricular offerings and I will be asking the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Dennis Nef, to play a lead role in the development of these efforts.

Master campus planning that looks at the physical design of the university is a significant part of the strategic planning effort. Considerable construction is already underway on campus and there’s much more to come.  Those of you who have been on campus for a few years have seen many changes—the new student recreation center, the Science II building, the Save Mart Center, the Downing Planetarium, the demolition of the San Ramons, and more.  But look at what’s just ahead—the new library and Campus Pointe—the project next to the Save Mart Center that will add an on-campus hotel and conference center, a shopping area, office space and senior housing.  We’ll look at how best we can plan the physical campus to accommodate our student enrollment growth and expansion of our academic programs.  We’ll plan to improve the campus for pedestrians and alternative transportation…and yes…we’ll look at parking issues on campus.  We will protect and enhance the essential characteristics of the Fresno State campus…the campus farm and the arboretum, for example…while improving campus entrances and the overall site plan.

I have asked Vice President Matson to lead this effort – a process that is already underway that will take approximately 12 months.  A team of planning experts from the firm of Zimmer Gunsal and Frasca is assisting us.  They have a depth of experience across the world, specifically in campus and urban planning.  This effort is of significant importance and the entire campus will have an opportunity to be involved and have input into the overall assessment and final plan.  A campus wide coordinating group has been assembled to help guide the effort.  The strategic planning committee will issue the final recommendations to the campus.  There will be ample opportunity for involvement and interaction with the planning team.  I look forward to sharing preliminary findings by fall 2006.

The biggest symbol of all of the physical changes underway is the new library.  This semester we’ll begin the demolition of the older sections of the library and immediately begin construction of the spectacular new library…which will be ready for students and faculty in fall 2008. In the old days the most well known campus landmark was probably the water tower.  These days it might be Memorial Fountain, Bulldog Stadium or the Save Mart Center.  But, in the future, the landmark Fresno State will be best known for will be the new library.  There can be no better symbol to represent the future of our campus.

I commend the library staff for its excellent work to maintain student access to the Madden Library’s many collections through the off-site storage and delivery system.  Students are making good use of the system to keep up with their studies. That success is due to your hard work.

Two other major improvements to the campus will soon be realized.  The new student recreation center will be open this semester.  Student life at Fresno State will become much richer when the rec center doors open on Friday, February 3rd. In addition, this building will house the Leon and Pete Peters Educational Center and the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Peters Center will be a state-of-the-art auditorium which will seat 300 and may be scheduled through the scheduling office. Congratulations to Debbie Adishian-Astone and Carolyn Coon for their work on the development of the Rec Center project. Also, the Technology Infrastructure Initiative continues to progress…adding the latest in high-speed networking to the campus.  Those systems will begin to go online by July.

We have much to do in other areas this semester. As you know the California Legislature and the Governor approved, for the first time in the history, authority to the California State University to grant independent doctorates in education.  Fresno State will seek permission to be among the first wave of new independent doctoral degrees granted by CSU beginning in the fall of 2007.  I’m proud that Fresno State demonstrated years ago that it had the academic firepower to offer a joint doctoral degree alongside the University of California. I’m also proud that we went on to champion the need for the independent CSU doctorate. I know many of you today were strong advocates for this important change in state policy. Thank you for your support. Our planning will begin in earnest this semester. We also hope to gain the final approvals this spring to launch our joint doctoral program in Criminal Justice Sciences.

I am happy to report that the state’s fiscal picture has improved. I’m very encouraged to see that the Governor’s proposed budget would boost CSU funding. The governor has proposed $215 million in new revenue for the California State University, fully funding the trustees’ budget request for 2006-07 based on the Higher Education Compact, and providing enough funds to eliminate student fee increases scheduled for fall 2006.

The proposed budget provides nearly $2.8 billion in state General Fund revenue to the CSU, which represents a 7.3 percent increase over the current 2005-06 budget year appropriations. It also includes $2.3 million for Master’s level nursing education and more than $1 million for math and science and other teacher education.

At Fresno State, this means a 3 percent general fund increase, plus funding for new enrollment growth. Additionally, there is a 3 percent compensation pool that will be the subject of negotiations.

Presuming that all of this is maintained by the Legislature during the budget process there will be no student fee increase in 2006-07.  I know I can speak for students and parents who are relieved to have a break in the annual fee. Here in Central California, keeping an education at Fresno State as affordable as possible means much to our students and their families who often struggle to pay fees and meet the other costs of attending the university. It’s also significant to note that as our state’s economy improves state leaders are quick to reinvest in higher education.

I’m also pleased that the initiative shown here at Fresno State to ensure student success prepared us well to respond to the Chancellor’s call to all CSU campuses to follow a similar path.  The Student Success Task Force helped this campus move ahead, beginning as early as 2002, to guide students to make earlier major selections, establish road maps to graduation, expand mentoring to new students, form freshmen learning communities, and expand the Dog Days orientation program.  Fresno State has established itself as a leader in this area. Congratulations to all the staff and faculty involved.

The recent NCAA Academic Progress Rate, or APR, report demonstrates we’re ensuring our student athletes are performing well in the classroom as well as in athletic competition. Coach Hill and Coach Baxter are to be commended for their long-standing commitment to academic performance. Fresno State's football APR score for 2004-05, which already ranked first in the Western Athletic Conference, ranks as among the best at all West Coast universities. Of schools in the Pac-10, Western Athletic and Mountain West conferences, only Stanford, Air Force and Utah had a higher APR. Other Fresno State sports perform well in the APR score…others have underperformed.  But struggling programs, like men’s basketball, are showing improvement as well.

Recently, the American Association for State Colleges and Universities and the National Association for State Universities and Land Grant Colleges collaborated to create a task force to address the next steps in diversity leadership on our nation’s campuses. They state that colleges and universities must rededicate themselves to providing educational opportunity and promoting educational success for all of our citizens. It suggested processes for promoting candid conversation that could lead to institutional change. The report highlighted questions for each campus’ major stake holders to include Presidents, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Business and Finance, Development and Advancement, Faculty, Staff, Students and Student Affairs.

As one of the most diverse campuses in our nation, Fresno State is in a unique position to fulfill the promises of making higher education not only accessible, but a successful venture for all citizens of Central California regardless of their economic challenges, culture, gender, age, or ethnicity. Although we have achieved a reasonable level of success in meeting that goal, there is much more to be done. For that reason, we are formulating a campus task force to be co-chaired by Provost Echeverria and Vice-President Oliaro with representatives from each of the key stakeholders I described to address questions posed by the report and determine where those answers may lead us as an institution.

Everywhere I travel I’m discovering that people share our values and are excited about our vision for the future.  The comprehensive campaign is helping us reconnect with our friends and build meaningful new relationships with prospective donors.  We’ve been sharing the aspirations of our faculty and students. We’ve been listening to our donors and carefully considering their ideas and suggestions. Often that leads to a gift…sometimes even a very large gift. Our donors are dreaming big dreams right along with us.  We’ve already received some major donations which we’ll soon be announcing as part of the campaign during the next three to four months.

We’re making good headway in the campaign. Let me share a few of the areas of progress:

• The Campaign Steering Committee of very prominent alums and friends of the university was convened and is working to develop strategies and identify prospects.

• A campaign operations committee, including deans and other key university leaders, was formed.

• Additional fundraising and support staff were added. We now have all of the key staff on board.

• The first campus-wide reception was held for Benefactors, or annual donors of $2,500 or more, and the first Centennial Society dinner for annual donors of $10,000 or more…both very successful events.

• The first Heritage Society luncheon was held for planned giving donors.

• The campaign website was launched.

• 25 members were recruited to the National Board of Visitors and the campus hosted the first campus weekend for that panel.

• Presidential receptions were held in Phoenix and Washington, and Presidential Roundtable events are being set for the spring semester.

• A major gift program for Athletics was initiated and athletics prospect management was integrated with central development. The governance plan for the Bulldog Foundation was refreshed.

I appreciate the work of the deans and many faculty members who are teaming up with our donors and the university advancement staff to identify prospects. This effort will be intensified this semester.

Our new Athletics Director and his staff are establishing a “culture of compliance” with NCAA rules.  That’s the right direction as well. The Athletics Director has continued to implement consistent and aggressive policies and procedures to ensure the adequate monitoring and compliance with all WAC and NCAA regulations.  We’re making steady progress in this area.

There is much for us to be proud of. Our students and faculty are making a difference not only in Central California but they continue to gain national recognition as well. I was very proud to be with our softball star Jamie Southern, her father and Coach Margie Wright in Indianapolis last Saturday evening as Jamie became the second student in Fresno State history to be selected as a National Collegiate Athletic Association Top 8 Award winner. This is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards handed out by the NCAA. This award is presented to only eight out of all of the NCAA Division I, II and III student athletes in the entire United States. There are 350,000 athletes in the United States.  The Top Eight are selected as the nation’s best students who demonstrate athletic success, academic achievement and community service. Congratulations to Jamie for this wonderful honor.

Earlier today we have honored one of our colleagues—Jim Marshall. He represents the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and staff who daily go above and beyond the call of duty to challenge students to learn more, and to be better, and who seek to engage in scholarly work that makes a difference.

A few weeks ago I had lunch with Emily Clara Sample -- a wonderful Native American woman – 92 years old – who was sharing her memories of growing up at Millerton in the Sierra Nevada foothills just north of Fresno.  She was born in a canvas tent at the Helm Ranch…which is now the site of the Fresno State campus. She had brought back to us childhood photos of herself and her family taken just after the turn of the century…the 20^th Century.  She spoke of the changes she had seen in the San Joaquin Valley and the foothills.  She talked about the hardships she experienced working on the farm. 

But there was a magical moment when her eyes sparkled and she smiled with joy. She recalled her fondest memory from her childhood…sitting on her bed and reading…and opening her imagination to a world that she could then only experience in a book. At 92 she remains an avid reader.  Her lifelong love of books brought her back to our campus.  In that spirit…and the spirit of the new Fresno State library…I encourage you to bring that same excitement for reading…for learning…to young people in a whole new 21^st Century generation.

The Read Fresno program, for example, gives you the opportunity to read to children and instill the wonder of discovery and learning that will last a lifetime. As we begin this new year I want to call upon all of us to get involved in Read Fresno. Consistent with our policy on encouraging service to our community, the University will grant leave up to forty hours per calendar year provided that you match this time to participate in the Read Fresno program.

There’s information about how the university will support your involvement in this reading program on FresnoStateNews.com. There will be an informational meeting scheduled for those interested in learning more. I can’t think of a better way to dream a bit about the future and appreciate what education means to all of us.

Fresno State is moving ahead.  The initiatives I’ve outlined today all demonstrate that we have a vision for the future. Our momentum is gaining as we refine our strategic and campus master plans, broaden our reach to diverse students and attract new private support to Fresno State. We are achieving a bright future for Fresno State.

Thank you all so much.  Let’s make this a great and memorable year.