Summary of the March 11, 2009 Meeting
I. Preliminary 2009-2010 CSU-CSUN Budget
McCarron provided information on the CSU budget as it is currently proposed, including discussion of the impact of the state deficit, revenue adjustments, mandatory costs, and the budget compact revenue shortfall. He concluded that despite the State’s budget challenges, the CSU appears to be doing fairly well. Hellenbrand stated there is a lot of uncertainty and inaccuracies and the vice presidents would be happy to provide information and respond to requests for information as they come in.
II. Campus Quality Fee
Piper discussed the process, volume, and types of proposals received for Campus Quality Fee funding. There were approximately 80 proposals and they cover a large range of categories including advisement, facility and campus infrastructure, technology enhancements, curriculum support, green initiatives, student engagement, student services, services for transfer students, and tutoring and mentoring. He concluded the campus has improved in communicating the purpose of the fee and the on-line proposal submission process went well. A student feedback survey is currently being conducted and all students are invited to provide feedback. The vice presidents will provide recommendations to the Student Fee Advisory Committee, which is conducting its own analysis and will present recommendations to President Koester. A separate Student Allocation Committee is currently preparing recommendations to the Student Fee Advisory Committee for the allocation of $250,000.
Hellenbrand noted that when coupled with non-resident tuition, the Campus Quality Fee provides significant additional revenue for the campus and results in major improvements to the university’s “bottom line.”
III. Enrollment 2009-2010 Update
Piper provided estimates on the potential size of the incoming freshman class and also described some of the steps being taken to manage enrollment and encourage students to graduate. He mentioned that CSUN is becoming more of a “destination” campus with demand being driven by academic reputation. This year’s tiered admission process will provide information that will help inform future strategic recruitment efforts.
IV. E-mail Update
Baker provided background and an update on the movement of students and alumni to G-mail that is planned for fall 2009. Additionally, Baker reported on the considerations for a change in faculty e-mail. These included: (1) retaining the @csun.edu address for faculty, (2) a transparent, behind-the-scenes migration of existing mail messages, (3) an increased quota for faculty, and (4) a cost analysis. Provost Hellenbrand is expected to make a decision regarding faculty e-mail this semester for a transition during fall 2009. Hellenbrand stated that cost savings will be minimal and the major considerations for changing systems are stability and integrity.
V. Campus Construction UpdateE-mail Update
McCarron provided an update on construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center and Chaparral Hall. While the Performing Arts Center was halted because of the California cash crisis, work continued on Chaparral Hall. Work started again on March 2, 2009 on the Valley Performing Arts Center and Chaparral will be completed over the summer.
VI. Budget Trends
Hellenbrand discussed a white paper he prepared and distributed on the CSU budget, fees, and remediation. He discussed the future convergence of the General Fund and fees and the necessity for generating external revenues through the extension and advancement. Hellenbrand talked about the importance of working to improve K-12 education, particularly in Mathematics and English. He also discussed the need to be innovative in our curriculum, respond to community needs through initiatives such as Health and Wellbeing, and to maintain a productive environment as an institution. Hellenbrand concluded the meeting by acknowledging the work of members of the CSUN financial community to bring rationality to processes in distinctively irrational times.