California State University Employee Update

One-Time Funds Enable the CSU to Provide More Classes

February 8, 2010

From CSU Chancellor's Office

The CSU will allocate $50.9 million in one-time funds to campuses to provide approximately 8,100 additional course sections systemwide, as well as retain additional lecturers for the fall 2010 term.

The CSU funds became available as a result of a $76.5 million one-time federal stimulus allocation that the CSU received and has used to help meet its payroll. In turn, the CSU will be able to use monies from state support and student fee revenues previously set aside for payroll to add the course sections. The federal stimulus funds and associated CSU funds, however, must be used on a limited-term basis and not create ongoing spending.

Campuses were previously given an initial $25.6 million to add approximately 4,000 classes for the current spring term while the CSU awaited the governor’s proposed 2010-11 budget to move forward with the remaining funds. The governor’s proposal for 2010-11 restores a $305 million one-time cut in the CSU’s current budget and includes an additional $60.6 million in funding for the CSU’s enrollment growth.

"The CSU has a strong starting point in what we know will be a long and uncertain budget process, and we want to provide students with as many courses as possible,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “This will help alleviate some of the shortages in classes helping students make faster progress toward their degree."

Universal Access Addressed by Bakersfield President at Hearing

Defining universal access as one of the CSU’s cornerstones, CSU Bakersfield President Horace Mitchell emphasized to a legislative panel last week that the CSU actively works to help prepare underrepresented students for college.

“The CSU is committed to universal access,” Mitchell stressed at a Feb. 2 information hearing of the Joint Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education in Sacramento. Mitchell said that access means students are prepared and know what they need to meet college requirements, have a fair opportunity to enroll, and are able to succeed in college.

Mitchell highlighted examples of the CSU’s outreach and academic preparation efforts to address the achievement gap, including:

CSU’s Graduation Initiative to increase the graduation rate of its students and reduce by half the gap in degree completion between underrepresented students and their peers
Early Assessment Program, which allows 11th grade students to assess their college readiness in English and math
How to Get to College poster, which is available in six languages and outlines the steps middle and high school students need to take to prepare for college
CSU/AT&T Road to College tour, which travels to underserved communities to provide on-site college preparation and financial aid information.

The hearing was the second in a series being held over the next two months as state lawmakers review the Master Plan to determine whether its original goals of providing access to a quality college education are still serving the needs of the state’s students and its workforce. CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed addressed the committee at its first meeting last December and CSU Long Beach President F. King Alexander is scheduled to address the committee on behalf of the CSU on Feb. 17.

CSU Reaches Out to African American Congregations

CSU leaders across the organization will address African American congregations throughout California during the fifth annual “Super Sunday” this month. CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, campus presidents, trustees, faculty and others will take to the pulpit to encourage students and families to start preparing for college as early as sixth grade.

On Feb. 28, President Milton A. Gordon will be attending Love and Unity Church of God in Christ, 1840 S. Wilmington Ave., Compton, 90220,and Robert L. Palmer, vice president for student affairs, will be participating at Corona Community Church, 321 East Sixth St., Corona, 92879.

The CSU plans to visit close to 100 churches in almost 40 cities. New this year are congregations in Corona, Oceanside, Oxnard, Riverside, Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Fresno and the San Fernando Valley. See the schedule of events for more information.

Search Committee for Next Cal Poly President Meets

The committee charged with finding a successor to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo President Warren Baker meets today (Feb. 9) at the campus. Baker, who has served as president since 1979, announced his retirement in December.

Trustee Roberta Achtenberg will chair the Trustees’ Committee for the Selection of the President. Other trustee members of the selection committee include Carol Chandler, George Gowgani, Glen Toney, Trustee Chair Herbert Carter and CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.

Board policy requires the chair to appoint an advisory group to the trustees’ committee composed of representatives of the faculty, students and alumni, as well as a member of the campus advisory board, all of whom are selected by campus constituent groups. Also on the advisory committee is a vice president or academic dean from the campus, and a president of another CSU campus, both selected by the chancellor. Both committees function as one group.

Members of the Advisory Committee for the selection of the president include:

Cal State East Bay President Mo Qayoumi
Helen Bailey, Student Services professional, SLO
Philip Bailey, dean, College of Science and Math, SLO
Gary Bloom, President’s Cabinet, SLO
Andrew Davol, professor and chair of mechanical engineering department, SLO
Rachel Fernflores, chair, Academic Senate Cal Poly, SLO
Kelly Griggs, Associated Student President, SLO
Margot McDonald, professor of Architecture, SLO
John Sweeney, president, Cal Poly Alumni Association
George Soares, community member.

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