President Gerth talks about commitment to students in annual address

California’s State Universities are the people’s universities, said President Donald Gerth in his annual welcome speech to the CSUS faculty, staff and students.

The President’s address Thursday morning stressed the importance of the people composing the university including faculty, staff and students.

New faculty members introduced by President Gerth include CSUS alumni, members of faculties from across the United States and individuals from a variety of international cultures. "They all bring unique personal and professional backgrounds to the university," said Gerth.

Another theme of the president’s speech was change and constancy.

"All universities undergo profound self-initiated change," said Gerth.

One significant change he announced was the initiation of doctoral programs onto the CSUS campus.

Students will begin enrolling in a doctoral program in history, headed by Dr. Kenneth Owens, in spring 2000. Students are already on a waiting list to enroll.

A new School of the Arts is also forthcoming, combining the disciplines of art, music, theatre art, design and dance.

Several more programs are expected to follow as well over the next five years, said Gerth.

The university’s commitment to the people of California and the continued professional excellence the university must strive to develop was one of the constants President Gerth discussed. "The people of California are the most important constant," said Gerth. "Their continued efforts and support make CSUS possible."

Of the constants discussed, students ranked at the top. The students’ hopes, aspirations, personal and professional goals were all concerns he said the university had an obligation to consider.

The president also spoke of a combined effort among universities nationwide to develop a system-wide common database called Common Management Systems (CMS).

The total estimated cost of the 5-year project is $400 million, with a $1 million contribution expected of CSUS this fiscal year.

Allocations for the project will come from within campus budgets, said Gerth.

CMS will be comprised of three modules: human resources, finances and students.

The benefits of CMS will include on-line admission, financial aid and grade information, and the ability for students to check their graduation status.