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California State University, Fresno must make “extraordinary changes” to accomplish a huge reduction in state funding during 2011-12, President John D. Welty said Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the annual spring assembly of faculty and staff that kicks off the new semester.

Welty characterized Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed $500 million cutback to the California State University system as “devastating” because it comes on top of significant reductions already undertaken in the past two years.

Fresno State’s share of the reduction in state funding will be approximately $28 million, Welty said. That figure is offset by about $8 million in new revenue from the tuition fees increase already adopted by the board of trustees for next year. Thus, the reduction Fresno State will face in 2011-12 is about $20 million.

“I wish I could report that the fiscal situation was improving. It is not. In fact, it has gotten worse.” Welty said, adding that 2011-12 probably will be one of the most challenging in the university’s 100-year history.

“We cannot accomplish this reduction without making extraordinary changes,” he said. “Everything must be on the table as we examine the future. We also must act now to minimize the level of disruption for the future.”

To start things off, Welty said the following are implemented immediately:

  1. All position vacancies and searches will be reconsidered. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis but he intends to close searches that do not reflect high-priority needs, health and safety or instances where appointments are about to be made.
  2. Travel restrictions already in place will be continued.
  3. Major purchases and deferred maintenance projects will be limited.
  4. The university will offer a “self-funded” summer program instead of a state-funded program.
  5. Enrollment limits for 2011-12 will be examined.

Welty said by early February he will announce the process to be used to determine what other measures are needed to achieve the proposed reductions. He hopes to have a plan developed by early- to mid-April.

Despite the dire news, Welty said he supports Gov. Brown’s leadership to reach solutions.

“We are being forced to cope with the results of our state’s ineffective solutions and the failure to courageously take steps to get California’s house in order,” Welty said. “Now as we work to do that, we also must help decision-makers remember that the future vitality of this state is dependent upon a well educated work force and a strong economy.”

During his spring assembly speech, Welty also pointed to bright spots in campus news:

  • As of December 31, the fundraising Campaign for Fresno State has raised more than $160 million, which is 80 percent of the Campaign goal. More that 80 percent of the dollars raised are going to enhance academics. More than 25,000 individuals and organizations have made 95,000 gifts. Welty promised: “There’s more good news to come.”
  • Several million dollars in grants have been received in recent months which will: help develop sustainable communities, in partnership with a number of Central California cities, including Fresno; will support the Middle East Studies program and launch an interfaith dialogue series in Philosophy;  help university efforts to close the gap between the number of Hispanic and Caucasian students who graduate; and fund a new program to research the correlation between pesticides and breast cancer among Latina farm workers.
  • The graduation rate is improving.
  • Student-athletes continue to excel on the playing field and in the classroom, with five Bulldog sports teams posting Graduation Success Rates of 80 percent or better, the highest number of sports to reach that level.

Welty also noted that the university is developing new degree programs to better serve the region. Among them:

  • The Craig School of Business is launching an accelerated bachelor’s degree program in business this month.
  • Planning for two new independent doctorates in nursing practice and physical therapy is moving ahead
  • The Kremen School of Education has received approval for a new online master’s degree in reading, and to offer Fresno State’s educational leadership doctorate in Bakersfield.

Read the President’s full speech.

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