ANOTHER EXCITING ACADEMIC year is upon us at Fresno State. I want to take this opportunity to give a special welcome to our 2,600 new freshmen — the biggest freshman class in Fresno State history — our 1,800 new transfers and 800 new graduate students.

It is important to remember that we are a university of opportunity for everyone.

Fresno State gives people from every background the chance to dream and accomplish greatness in their lives. This is why we say Fresno State is “powering the new California.â€Â

We are a university on the move and our faculty and students are making it happen. We are in the heart of a region that is growing four times faster than the rest of the state.

This New California is being created from demographic shifts that are dramatic. Our academic program is strong and getting stronger. We̢۪re providing the innovation for Central California, and we̢۪re encouraging investment in the future of our region.

Look around you and you̢۪ll see several examples of Fresno State̢۪s commitment to the New California.

Our solar parking project in Lot V will soon provide 20 percent of the electrical power it takes to run this campus. Our favorite colors at Fresno State are cardinal and blue, but we think green looks pretty good, too.

The Madden Library — soon to be the largest in the California State University system — continues to take shape.

Next fall, the new library will become of the hub of the campus, providing a place for discussion and discovery.

Fresno State has a remarkable story to tell. All of you are ambassadors for the community. I want you to take pride in your university and remember that we are a powerful force that is making Central California a better place to live.

We do face challenges. Let me address them directly. I̢۪ve invested many years of my life in helping to build this university of opportunity. No one feels the pain of the lawsuits in which we are engaged more than I do.

Let me say clearly so there is no question: I do not and I have not tolerated discrimination at Fresno State. I act when any discrimination is found. This is core to who I am as a university president. It̢۪s core to who I am as a person. It is also core to the strong women and men on my leadership team who partner with me in guiding this great institution.

During the past two years we̢۪ve created a new era in Bulldog athletics. We have a highly experienced director of athletics and a new senior leadership team is in place with more than 100 years of Division I experience. We have been changing policies and the culture of our program to reinforce our fundamental values as the university of opportunity for everyone.

We̢۪re not perfect. I̢۪d simply ask you to keep an open mind as we work through these legal issues because sometimes charges are well founded, and sometimes charges are just charges.

An independent review of our corporate matching gifts program has been completed and found that an erroneous management judgment allowed the university — from 1986 to 2003 — to benefit from up to $2.9 million in company matching gifts that it was not qualified to receive based on company restrictions.

The auditor also stated, and let me emphasize this point, that “no monies were taken from academic purposes and redirected to athletic purposes.â€Â

We̢۪ve taken action to resolve this matter. The complete report also can be found at FresnoStateNews.com.

The university is now heading to its centennial in 2011. There are many good people working very hard to shape the future of Fresno State. We can take pride in new doctorates being offered, the growing achievements of our students, and the exciting plans that will guide the future development of our campus.

But this campus isn̢۪t best known for its plans, buildings or programs. It̢۪s known for the impact of our faculty, staff and students in our community and the world.

Our goal is to provide 1 million hours of community service annually to the community by our centennial. I’m creating a Centennial Committee this fall that will include student representatives, and will focus on celebrating the hallmarks of our campus — like community service.

Our people — the faculty, students, staff and community partners — are Fresno State. The university simply would not be as great as it is without your talent, experience and creativity.

I ask all of you to help build on our standards of excellence as we join together to power the New California.