Fresno State President Joseph Castro announced proposed salary-equity adjustments, strategies that tackle student hunger and renovation plans for the Concert Hall during Monday’s annual faculty and staff Fall Assembly.

Castro welcomed back staff, including 44 new faculty members, into Fresno State’s 104th year during his address at the Satellite Student Union.

Acknowledging a “transitional year” ahead for the college, Castro made a special welcome to his cabinet’s three new vice presidents — Dr. Lynnette Zelenzy, Dr. Frank Lamas and Paula Castadio.

Voicing his support to improve faculty pay, Castro announced $1.2 million of the 2014-15 campus budget has been set aside for equity adjustments — if made permissible by CSU system decisions.

“An area of sincere commitment for me and the cabinet is investing more in our faculty and staff,” Castro said. “This year, as we await word from CSU talks with the bargaining units on increased compensation, I can report that we are looking at making salary-equity adjustments.”

In wake of the DISCOVERe tablet program that launched Thursday, Castro’s theme of achieving student success is being carried over to an initiative aimed to curb food insecurity among Fresno State students.

About 30 percent of students are food insecure, Castro said, citing a study from a Fresno State faculty member and alumnus.

“Food insecurity impacts student success and the quality of life issues,” Castro said. “This is an issue we must address — it’s just the right thing to do.”

Lamas, Mary Castro and associate vice president Debbie Astone will lead the effort to resolve the issue.

Fall enrollment reached more than 23,000 students, the strongest in Fresno State’s history, Castro said. While 3,500 freshmen are enrolled this fall — the school’s largest incoming class yet — 3,800 fully eligible freshmen from outside the college’s service area were turned away because of CSU enrollment limitations.

“Fresno State continues to be the campus of first choice for students from our region and beyond,” Castro said.

Reflecting on his first year in office throughout his speech, Castro spoke of a changing Fresno State — the tablet program, new signage, improved infrastructure and breaking ground on the Jordan Research Center and physical therapy-athletics building.

He announced new acts of philanthropy that further suggest change to the campus. Most notable was the plan for an expansion of the Music Department’s Concert Hall, envisioned with 500 seats, following a gift from the Assemi family of Fresno.

Also announced was the 25-year long-term partnership renewal between the school and Dr. William Lyles, the benefactor of the Lyles College of Engineering.