California State University, Fresno - University Journal
October 2008Vol. 12 No. 2
Front Page   |   News   |   Service   |   Arts   |   FYI   |   Newsmakers   |   Sports   |   Campaign
Janice BrownFeature Story: Advances in accessibility implemented on campus

The campus will be celebrating Disability Awareness Month this month with an Accessible Technology Fair on Feature quoteOctober 15. Faculty will have an opportunity to share best practices with accessible instructional materials, as well as to learn about other options and services on campus that relate to accessibility. The fair will be held at UC 202 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is also the year that Services for Students with Disabilities will see important policies on accessibility going into place.

With funding from the provost and collaboration with Facilities Management, the campus now has accessible workstations and software added to four open labs on campus, in addition to the stations in the Learning Center and the new library. Students no longer are limited to the SSD lab and may now use assistive software and workstations in the labs located in Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Humanities, the Craig School of Business and Social Sciences. more...
Click here for a transcript (.doc)

COMING NEXT MONTH: The Future of Food

State budget funding for Fresno State presents challenges
President John D. Welty said the university’s state funding for 2008-09 is approximately $153.6 million, compared to $153.7 million last year. Welty said he and campus administrators anticipated a budget shortfall and have taken preliminary steps to curtail 2008-09 spending. He said it will be a difficult year, but faculty and staff are committed to maintaining Fresno State’s academic quality and programs. “We say that Fresno State is ‘powering’ the New California and we intend to continue providing the power to move the region ahead through highly trained, resourceful graduates,” Welty said. For more, click here.

New-look TimeOutNew-look TimeOut mascot debuts
Fans voted and Athletics listened, making its second change to the TimeOut mascot in two seasons, substituting a gray head and body for last year’s brown and giving TimeOut a lolling tongue, more like the longtime mascot. The leaner look introduced a year ago remains.

Associate Athletic Director Paul Ladwig heard complaints – and compliments – after the change before the 2007-08 athletics season. Ladwig said TimeOut needed updating, the old costume was uncomfortable to wear and it presented a nonathletic image. In summer, he conducted an on-line vote, offering fans a choice between the brown and gray TimeOut.

The vote, said Ladwig, was very close, but a decision was made to change the mascot’s color back to the traditional gray and to soften the look somewhat by changing the tongue. The new TimeOut helped lead the Bulldogs onto the field before the Wisconsin football game.

Ladwig said the makeover was appreciated by fans. He told the Collegian: “TimeOut loved all the hugs and high-fives. He had a blast at the game and thought the fans loved him.”

Nat DiBuduoTop Dog Gala honors accomplished Fresno State alumni
Some of California State University, Fresno’s most accomplished alumni will be honored Oct. 10 during the annual Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala at the Save Mart Center. Nat DiBuduo (Class of 1972), president of Allied Grape Growers, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Top Dog Alumni Awards ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 with a no-host reception, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the gala are $100 each. Sponsorship options range from $500 to $5,000 and are available through Sept. 8. For more, click here.


The Journal is published online by the Office of University Communications the first day of each month – or the weekday closest to the first – from September through May. The deadline for submissions to Journal is 10 days prior to the first of each month. Please e-mail submissions to journal@csufresno.edu. You may include digital photos, video clips or audio clips that are publishable online. Phone messages, faxes or printed hard copies will not be accepted.
President, John D. Welty
Vice President for University Advancement, Peter N. Smits
Interim Assistant Vice President for University Communications, Shirley Melikian Armbruster
Director of Publications and Web Services, Bruce Whitworth
Managing Editor, Lanny Larson • Assistant Editor, April Schulthies
Web Coordinator, Kevin Medeiros • Editorial Assistant, Angel Langridge