President urges forward-looking agenda through harsh budget climate
Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez told the University community at his spring address on Jan. 24 to remain forward looking, and dedicated to maximizing opportunities and minimizing damage from potential cuts in the University’s 2008-09 budget.
“Remember, the funding is always cyclical and we need to look at this situation not only as a challenge but as an opportunity as well,” Gonzalez said.
The president was joined in his call for unity and productivity by Provost Joseph Sheley, Faculty Senate president Bruce Bikle, Associated Students president Christina Romero, and Syracuse University professor Vincent Tinto, an expert on improving recruitment, retention and graduation rates.
The president said the proposed state budget now reduces CSU system-wide funding by $312 million, and assumes a 10 percent increase in student fees. That increase would produce $386 million to keep the status quo, he said.
If those steep reductions come to pass, the University and the region will feel the greatest damage in three main areas: access, the area’s workforce, and under-represented student groups, Gonzalez said.
But there remains much for the Sacramento State community to be pleased with, he added. The budget includes funds to begin planning for the long-awaited new Science II building that will include new classrooms, labs, faculty offices and the Space and Science Center.
Undergraduate and graduate applications are up significantly, both for spring and fall 2008, the president reported, crediting an aggressive recruitment drive that extends Sac State’s reach into Southern California and intensifies efforts in Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Gonzalez added that the University will also benefit from a growing partnership with the City of Sacramento, with each helping the other achieve their goals.
“What gives me hope as we move into bad budget times is that we are willing to work together to minimize the impact this budget situation is going to have, and more importantly, we work together to put together the kinds of partnerships that will allow us to offer our students the finest possible university education,” Gonzalez concluded.
In a departure from previous spring addresses, the president had other campus representatives provide updates on their areas:
Sheley hailed the development of the campus’ new strategic plan, and said it will help campus leaders implement a strategically focused campus-wide effort to improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates.
Bikle said the university has made great strides in the past year to become a more future-focused institution, and pointed to the growing sense of unity within the University community.
Romero likened the campus to a family that is pulling together to help students fulfill their dreams of better lives as college graduates.
And, in a prelude to his talk later in the afternoon, Tinto pointed to the relationship between student retention and a quality education. He said student retention depends on the quality of the education students receive, and in turn enhances the University’s desirability.
