Governor’s Budget Proposal

Amidst the many fiscal challenges facing the state, Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposes to prioritize public higher education. The highlights:

• Restores one-time cuts to the CSU ($305 million) – which had been backfilled by federal stimulus funding in 2009.
• Provides new funding ($60.6 million) for enrollment growth

While this is just the beginning of the budget process, Cal State Northridge will continue to monitor the budget process since the discussions and outcomes directly affect our students and campus activities. The health and vitality of the Cal State Northridge campus vis-a-vis the state budget has a direct effect on our region’s economic health and vitality.

For more information about the campus budget situation see http://www.csun.edu/presofc/campusbudgetnews.html

Legislative Aides Association Meeting

More than a dozen of your colleagues attended the February 2 Legislative Aides Association meeting. If you missed it, here are the highlights:

• President Koester provided a campus update, including information about the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) reaccreditation process underway at Cal State Northridge. This is one of the many ways that Cal State Northridge is held accountable to the public and policymakers. WASC requires the colleges and universities under its jurisdiction to be re-accredited every 10 years. Cal State Northridge was last re-accredited in 2000 and has been preparing for its next review since mid-2006. For more information about this process visit http://www.csun.edu/~instrsch/wasc/ This accreditation process is what allows for Cal State Northridge to distribute federal financial aid, among other things.
• President Koester also provided some thoughts on the Governor’s budget proposal for higher education and how the state budget situation has affected enrollment. In Fall 2008, we enrolled approximately 36,000 students; in Fall 2009, we enrolled 34,000 students; and, in Fall 2010 we plan to enroll approximately 30,000. Cal State Northridge will support budget figures that move us in the direction of increasing access.
• Dr. Joyce Gilbert provided an overview and tour of the many exciting projects underway at The Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics. Dr. Gilbert, who comes to the University with an impressive background shared information about projects related to nutrition and autism, nutrition and obesity, and nutrition and veterans affairs. For more information see http://www.csun.edu/hhd/fcs/magaram/

The next LAA meeting will be Wednesday, April 28 from 9-10:30. Mark your calendars!

State Watch

• The California State University (CSU) will be seeking authors to carry only a few new sponsored bills this legislative session. The decision to keep the sponsored package limited was in part due to the state’s current economic climate that will require a great deal of effort towards the CSU’s proposed budget funding. The CSU will continue to advocate for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). Allowing campuses like Cal State Northridge to offer a DNP would help address the nursing shortage in CA. For more information see http://www.calstate.edu/air/legislative_report/2010/02.01/story1.html
•  SB 330- proposes expansion of the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to include certain separate nonprofit auxiliary organizations that provide support to community colleges, UC and CSU campuses. This bill follows the veto of SB 218. Cal State Northridge is very concerned about the chilling affect this legislation would have on private fundraising and our ability to secure competitive contracts with third parties, which keep costs down at our food eateries, bookstores, and other auxiliary services. We oppose this legislation.

Your Input is Requested

As a leader in San Fernando Valley and/or if you have an interest in supporting efforts that support persons with disabilities, please join in a focus group on Wednesday, March 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM at the Center of Achievement on campus.  The focus group will seek input about the mission, strategic priorities, and impact statements that brand the Center on Achievement. Your participation is valuable. For more information about the Center see http://www.csun.edu/hhd/centersachieve.html To RSVP simply reply back to this email.

Haiti Benefit Concert

California State University, Northridge, is set to host a Haiti Benefit Concert scheduled for Friday Feb. 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Northridge Center Complex located in the University Student Union. The benefit event for Haiti will include musical performances, spoken word, and slides shows by Cal State Northridge student talent, as well as up-and-coming artists. All proceeds will be donated to the Hope For Haiti George Clooney Foundation. For more information, please contact Hamid Jahangard, program coordinator for major events, at (818) 677-4171 or via e-mail at hamid.jahangard@csun.edu.

Free Furlough Yoga

We’re all affected by the state budget and the national economic situation. In honor of the State Budget Campus Closure Program, the Employee Assistance Program at Cal State Northridge is providing free yoga classes to faculty and staff. As the yoga teacher for the free classes I’d like to extend an invitation to legislative aides to participate. You can use your campus parking pass when coming to campus for the classes. More information, including a schedule, can be found here: http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/eap/calendar.html