President's message: Initiatives and

campus changes make for exciting times

Welcome back to the spring semester at Fresno State. This semester promises to be an exciting one as the result of the competition of several major initiatives last semester and some approaching milestones for the university. You can review in detail the most important issues that are now on the slate at the university’s news Web site (www.FresnoStateNews.com) …but I wanted to highlight the most important items that will likely be of interest to you.

First, Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget, if accepted by the state legislature, will provide enough funds to avoid a student fee increase set for fall 2006. The state’s improving fiscal picture will also increase funding for California State University campuses overall, which means a better university experience for you.

The proposed budget eliminates next semester’s fee increase, allows us to enroll more students and boosts overall funding to Fresno State and other CSUs. The governor’s budget also increases funding for Master’s level nursing education and provides more than $1 million for math and science and other teacher education.

It’s a very encouraging sign at this time that the leadership of California is choosing to reinvest in higher education. That’s evidence that the academic and professional work you are doing as a Fresno State student is valued and appreciated.

I know are relieved to have a break in the annual fee increases that have been part of the routine for the past four years. Here in Central California, keeping an education at Fresno State as affordable as possible means much to our students and their families who often struggle to pay fees and meet the other costs of attending the university.

Another major change that you will begin seeing on campus is the demolition of the old library and the start of construction of the new Madden Library. Information about the dramatic new building, which is sure to become a landmark on our campus, is available at www.maddenlibrary.org.

If you haven’t taken the time to see the pictures of the new building, I’d really encourage you to go to the library Web site and learn more. I’m sure you’ll be excited when you see the architectural designs for the library. Also, take the time thank the library staff for their hard work to keep vital library services operating during this transitional time. They’ve worked hard to make the library work for you during this time. In fact, use of the library by students is up compared to previous years.

You’ll want to attend the grand opening for the state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center on Friday, Feb. 3. Student life at Fresno State will become much richer when the rec center doors open, providing you one of the finest student facilities at any university in the country. In addition, this new building will house the Leon and Pete Peters Educational Center and the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Peters Center will be a state-of-the-art auditorium which will seat 300. This is your building and I encourage you to participate in the grand opening and make good use of the strength and conditioning equipment, the indoor jogging track and all of the other features of the building.

Several other major developments will begin having a great impact on our campus. Last year the California Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law the ability for Fresno State and other California State Universities to offer independent doctorates in education. We will be among the first wave of CSU campuses to offer that degree. We also are moving ahead with new joint doctorates. We hope to gain the final approvals this spring to launch our new joint doctoral program in Criminal Justice Sciences.

We’re also seeing people throughout the country becoming excited about the important work being done at Fresno State in agriculture, health care, education, the arts and business. I’m pleased to tell you that major donors are making investments in the future of Fresno State that will transform this campus over the next several years as we head to our Centennial in 2011.

You are attending this campus during one of the most exciting times in its history…a time of great growth in our academic programs and a time of continuous building and change. There are exciting opportunities for student community service, new educational programs and special events set for this spring. This is a wonderful time to be a student at Fresno State and take advantage of all this campus offers to you.

The education you receive at Fresno State will enable you to have a great career where you can truly impact the world. Fresno State faculty and alumni continue to have regional, national and international influence. I’m proud you have chosen Fresno State for your education. It will make all the difference.

Comment on this story in the Opinion forum >>