Evacuation Drill

On Tuesday, November 7, 1995, at 10:40 a.m. fire alarms will signal the beginning of an evacuation drill which is being conducted as part the University's disaster preparedness program. The following buildings and structures will be included in the drill: Building and floor wardens, who have recently been trained by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, will be available to advise and assist with evacuation procedures. Public Safety and Community Service Officers will be on hand to announce the "all clear" for return to normal activities.

I appreciate the cooperation of all faculty, staff and students in helping us stay aware and prepared for emergencies. Evacuation drills are planned for other buildings on campus in the spring. Additional training for Emergency Operation Center personnel and Senior Executives is planned for the near future. For further information on these and other emergency preparedness issues, please feel free to contact Mr. Ron Norton at x2401.

School Reorganization

Following extensive discussion and consultation within the academic community, I have accepted the recommendation that the School of the Arts and the School of Communication, Health and Human Services be reorganized into two colleges.

The new College of Health and Human Development will include the Departments of Communicative Disorders, Family Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Leisure Studies and Recreation, as well as the interdisciplinary Child Development Program and the National Center on Deafness. Provost Louanne Kennedy will immediately begin a national search for a dean of the College of Health and Human Development.

Dean Philip Handler will head the new college comprising the arts and communications.While its name is yet to be determined, it will include the Departments of Art, Journalism, Music, Radio/Television/Film, Speech Communication, and Theatre as well as Radio Station KCSN.

The new colleges will begin officially on July 1, 1996. The remainder of this year will be a period of intensive planning and transition led by Interim Dean Ann Stutts in the new College of Health and Human Development and by Dean Handler, with a Coordinator of Transition selected from among the faculty of the three communication departments, for the new college encompassing the arts and communications.

This reorganization is a wonderful example of "strategic" planning. The synergy resulting from this new arrangement of departments should result in creative and intellectual enrichment, a more effective and efficient use of resources, and increased opportunity for partnerships and fundraising in collaboration with emerging industries.

I congratulate the faculty, Deans, Provost and everyone who took part in this spectacular accomplishment. The spirit of cooperation and careful thinking that characterized the deliberation process will assure an exciting future for these new colleges.

University Blood Drive

The Cal State Northridge Fall 1995 Blood Drive will take place on November 6, 7 and 8, 1995, from 10:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The Blood Drive will take place in Northridge Center at the University Student Union and is sponsored by Associated Students, the Student Health Center and the American Red Cross.

The Blood Drive is an annual community activity which helps save lives and gives us the opportunity to contribute to an important community service. Given the assistance the Red Cross gave to our community after the Northridge Earthquake, and their work throughout the country in disasters and tragedies, I encourage you to join me in donating blood to make this year's drive our most successful yet. If you need more information about this event, please contact Ms. Tracy Tran, the A.S. Director of Community Service and Blood Drive, at x2477 or the Student Health Center at x3960.

North Campus Development

The University has initiated a "Request for Proposals" for the North Campus development. We hope to extend a ground lease to a private developer/partner to construct facilities on the North campus that will serve the educational and educationally-related needs of the University, provide an additional source of revenue for University programs, and enhance the community. Proposals will be received by November__4, after which an extensive review process will be initiated.

At its July 1995 meeting, the CSU Board of Trustees approved the concept of our development initiative. The process calls for review of the responding proposals, negotiations and final selection of a developer by the end of the fall 1995 term. In addition to a consulting firm we have hired to assist us, faculty and staff members of the North Campus Development Corporation Board will serve on the selection committee. The process provides for multiple and independent levels of review to assure that the selection is objective and rigorous. A copy of the review process and schedule is available, by request, from my office.

It is our hope to have final approval from the Board of Trustees to proceed with a preferred development project in March 1996. All reports you hear about the details of the development should be considered purely speculative until these decisions are made.

We are very excited about this new growth opportunity for the campus and will advise you at significant steps in the process.

Violence in the Workplace Policy

Under the leadership of Vice President Ronald Kopita, a task force has met over the past several months to discuss the issue of violence in the workplace. They have recommended a University policy which I am happy to approve. The policy is based upon values of civility, understanding and mutual respect toward all members of the University community and recognizes that a safe and healthful workplace is intrinsic to our mission of excellence in teaching and learning.

The University has zero tolerance for violence in the workplace and will take all appropriate actions to ensure a work environment free from violence or the threat of violence.

Please read the new policy when it is distributed on campus and address any questions you may have to me or Vice President Kopita at x2391.

Campus Safety

With the change from Daylight Savings to Standard Time, we should all be reminded that the shorter daylight hours require increased attention to personal safety on the campus during the evening hours.

We remind all students, faculty and staff to walk in groups rather than alone, to lock your cars and dormitory rooms and to travel along lighted pathways whenever possible. Emergency phones are located throughout the campus and are lighted.

Community Service Officers are available during the evening hours to provide an escort service to anyone asking for such assistance. Please travel with an escort or a group when you leave classes at night and do not hesitate to call campus police at x2111 or x911 should you need assistance.

Should you notice an area on the campus that could be made safer by the addition of lights, please notify Dr. Fred Strache at x3689 so that your suggestion can be added to the annual safety survey he conducts.

Stay safe! 


Blenda J. Wilson
President
November 2, 1995
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