Impeccable Truth: Keep an open mind amid CSUF woes

Editorial: Students must be vigilant about budget

Budget cuts won't slow campus

Budget cuts won't slow campus

Welcome back!

This year promises to be an exciting and challenging year. As we begin the new semester, our university has been severely impacted by the state's fiscal crisis. Student fees have been raised by 30 percent and this will present major challenges for students. In almost all cases we have been able to adjust financial aid awards as a result of the increase. Our total budget for this year has been reduced by almost $7 million as we seek to serve an additional four percent increase in enrollment.

As we have addressed this severe budget crisis, we have given priority to providing the classes that you will need to graduate. Some classes will be larger and perhaps not at the most convenient time. However, classes will be available.

During this difficult time we have continued to take steps to improve services for students. For our continuing students, I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we introduced changes in our student record system during the past year. After some challenging moments at the beginning of the fall 2002 semester, I hope you have been able to take advantage of the improvements it has provided through online registration, online grade access, improved delivery of financial aid for fall 2003 and a user friendly student portal that provides easy access to all of the self-service features. I also ask that you join me in acknowledging the dedication of our staff behind-the-scenes who have worked tirelessly in the implementation of this new system.

We will take another step to improve communication with students this year. You will be receiving notice during this academic year that Fresno State will be using your campus e-mail address as the primary means for communicating important information to all of our students. That means all information regarding registration, academic status, cancellation of classes due to non-payment, billing notices, financial aid communications and all other official university notices will be sent to your e-mail account. All students should check their e-mail accounts weekly to ensure that you do not miss important deadlines and other essential information.

This fall the Save Mart Center will open. This facility will provide the capability for us to not only host athletic events but also to bring many exciting concerts, shows, exhibits and professional athletic events. The arena operator, SMG, and concessionaire, Ovations, will be seeking to hire a number of students for positions in the center. Information will be available through the office of career planning.

Your new ASI President, Neil Gibson, has been very active this summer representing students as fee issues were discussed. In addition, he has been active in planning for parking related to the opening of the Save Mart Center. Please check your e-mail account regularly to obtain up- to-date information.

Planning will begin in earnest this fall for the new Student Recreation Center which will be built adjacent to the Save Mart Center. The facility should be open in fall, 2005.

This fall you will see many posters and other information that addresses the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Our studies indicate that the abuse of alcohol by our students is substantially less than on other campuses. The messages will provide specific messages which indicate that Fresno State students do not think it is cool to abuse alcoholic beverages. As we begin another year, I urge all students to be responsible in their consumption and to obey the law. There will be some changes made in our tailgating policy and practice this year. Please review these changes carefully. In addition, I urge everyone to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at our intercollegiate athletic contests. We will not tolerate the throwing of objects or other unsportsmanlike behavior.

I urge everyone to get involved as responsible citizens of our university community this year. Please consider volunteering at one of our community service agencies. The university will hold its annual Community Service Opportunities Fair Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Kennel Bookstore. Each year this event brings over 65 nonprofit and community organizations to our campus. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain information on hundreds of service opportunities, including community service in areas that might fulfill service assignments in their courses.

Finally, if you have not registered to vote in the Oct. 7 election, I urge you to do so and to get involved in our community and the state. This is a very critical time which requires that we all seek to understand the issues and become actively engaged.

My best wishes for a challenging, stimulating and exciting year!

John D. Welty,
President