Message to the Campus from President Alexander Gonzalez (7/16/09)

To All Members of the Campus Community:

I want to update you on the latest developments in the budget crisis following my meeting this week with Chancellor Reed and my fellow campus presidents.

The chancellor has directed us to submit plans for addressing the issues of enrollment and budget cuts, as well as how we will communicate those decisions to our campuses. Although all eligible students for the upcoming fall semester will be able to attend Sac State as planned, the system has closed the Spring 2010 semester to new applications, and we will be facing additional cuts to our enrollment target in Fall 2010. We are also examining how we would implement furloughs if that is the outcome of the collective bargaining process. Any plan for furloughs will comply with the agreements made by the Chancellor’s Office, and we would seek to minimize their impact in the classroom and provide the best possible level of service to our students.

I once again ask for your patience as we work on these plans. Much is yet to be decided at the state and system levels, as Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have not finalized the state budget. I am working with my cabinet and the University Budget Advisory Committee to maintain academic quality and protect as many positions as possible, and I will share any decisions with you as soon as I can.

At their meeting next Tuesday, the California State University Board of Trustees will be voting on two proposals to address the approximately $584 million reduction in state funding. The proposals are:

• Increasing student fees, beginning in the upcoming fall semester. The typical undergraduate State University Fee would go up from $3,354, as adopted in May, to $4,026 per year.
• Amending Title 5 to allow the chancellor to implement furloughs for non-represented, management and executive employees. Other amendments will also give the chancellor similar authority to reduce pay or institute unpaid holidays for non-represented employees.

All of the latest budget information is being posted on Public Affairs’ Budget Central website at: http://www.csus.edu/pa/budget/.

I will send you another update after the board’s meeting.

Thank you again for your continued dedication and hard work.

Sincerely,

Alexander Gonzalez

President