President's Office

President's News

Below is a full archive of news items posted at the President's Office website.

CSUN Responds to the Senseless Killing of George Floyd

June 2, 2020

CSUN Seal

In response to the peaceful marches that have occurred around the world and in the Northridge community in response to the senseless killing of George Floyd, the CSUN leadership has released a statement about the need to achieve social justice and address systemic racism and inequality in society. This follows an earlier statement from President Harrison  following Mr. Floyd's death expressing hope that justice will be pursued and affirming the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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CSUN to Transition to Virtual Learning

March 11, 2020

CSUN Seal

In response to the increasing risk to the spread of COVID-19, CSUN President Dianne Harrison announced that the university will transition to virtual and alternate modalities of learning following spring break, beginning on Monday, March 23 and continuing through April 19, 2020. To provide time for planning to make this shift, all in-person, face-to-face classes will be canceled Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 15. To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at CSUN. For details and more information, read the President's full message.

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COVID-19 Campus Preparedness

March 4, 2020

The University Library

Following the State of California and Los Angeles County declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19/novel coronavirus, CSUN is activating its emergency operations center to manage and respond to any emergency needs of the campus community. At this time, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 infection connected to any CSUN students, faculty or staff. A campus COVID-19 website is also now available with information about planning and precautions that are being taken by the university, and prevention measures people can take to protect their personal health. The page includes FAQs that will be updated regularly.

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CSUN Receives Carnegie Classification

January 31, 2020

CSUN sculpture

California State University, Northridge is among the 119 U.S. colleges and universities selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive the 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The six-year designation indicates institutional commitment to community engagement.

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CSUN Receives $1 Million Gift from Autodesk

January 15, 2020

Conceptual rendering of CSUN’s Center for Integrated Design and Advanced Manufacturing.

California State University, Northridge has received a $1 million gift from design software giant Autodesk to support the creation of a Center for Integrated Design and Advanced Manufacturing at the university.

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Late Professor Bequeathes $1 Million to Men’s Volleyball

January 13, 2020

Professor James Sefton with members of the CSUN men's volleyball team

In accordance with the wishes of History Professor James Sefton, who passed away at age 78 in 2018 and taught for more than 50 years at the university, his trust has established a $1 million endowment for the James E. Sefton Men’s Volleyball Scholarship Endowment at CSUN, to provide annual scholarships to student-athletes in men’s volleyball.

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CSUN’s Transformative Programs Highlighted at Gala

November 12, 2019

President's 2019 Welcome Address

On November 7, 2019, President Harrison welcomed economic luminaries at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Eddy Awards gala dinner, an event that honors businesses, cities and universities that work to raise standards of living for L.A. County residents. Harrison serves as chair of the LAEDC, the first academic leader elected to serve in this role.

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President Harrison Pens Chapter on Climate Change

September 18, 2019

Photo of Dianne Harrison

President Harrison has penned the first chapter of the 2019–20 “President to President” thought leadership series. In the chapter, “Educating the Environmental Stewards of Tomorrow: Presidential Leadership and Climate Change,” she examines the vital leadership role that colleges play in addressing climate change, on campus and in the larger community.

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CSUN No. 5 in Sustainable Index

August 26, 2019

CSUN Seal

California State University, Northridge has earned another stellar ranking from the nation’s largest organization for sustainability in higher education.

This week, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) ranked CSUN No. 5 among all master’s degree-level institutions in its Sustainable Campus Index

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Susan Burton to Receive Honorary Doctorate

May 8, 2019

Photo of Susan Burton, 2019 honorary doctorate recipient

Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project in South Los Angeles and an advocate for incarcerated women, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from California State University, Northridge on Monday, May 20, during commencement.

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Three Honored at 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards

April 16, 2019

2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

Three remarkable Matadors—Andrew Anagnost, Milt Valera and Michelle Vicary—were honored at the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration, on Saturday, April 13. The annual recognition honors three alumni who personify the university’s tradition of excellence and who bring distinction to themselves and to CSUN through their outstanding achievements.

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Faculty Retreat Address Focuses on Generation Z

January 18, 2019

President Harrison speaks at 2019 Faculty Retreat

In her keynote address at the 2019 Faculty Retreat, held January 2019, President Harrison reflected on CSUN's 60th anniversary and spoke about the the learning styles and expectations of Generation Z students. Entitled "“60 Years of Student Success: Supporting Today’s Students in a Changing World,” the text to the address is now available.

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President's Six Year Review Feedback

December 3, 2018

CSUN Seal

Earlier this year, in accordance with Trustee policy to review CSU presidents every three years, the Chancellor conducted a six-year review of President Harrison.

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Matador Fire Relief Fund

November 13, 2018

CSUN Seal

President Harrison has issued a letter to the campus community about the California wildfires with information on how the campus community can assist students, faculty and staff who have been impacted by the Southern California wildfires by contributing to the Matador Fire Relief Fund.

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President Reappointed to WICHE

November 1, 2018

President Dianne Harrison

California State University, Northridge President Dianne F. Harrison has been reappointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), an interstate organization that facilitates resource sharing among the higher education systems of 15 states in the western United States as well as U.S. Pacific territories. Read the full story.

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President’s Welcome Celebrates CSUN's 60 Years

August 28, 2018

President Harrison delivering 2018 Welcome Address

President Harrison's annual Welcome Address celebrating the start of the new academic year highlighted milestones from CSUN’s storied six decades and looked to the future, illustrating how the institution must prepare students for careers in a modern economy that requires critical thinking, problem solving and innovation. Read the full story.

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CSUN President Elected Vice Chair of LAEDC

July 16, 2018

President Dianne Harrison

CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison this summer became the first academic leader elected to serve as vice chair of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The corporation’s mission is to advance opportunity and prosperity for all of Los Angeles County’s residents.

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More Than 11,500 to Graduate

May 1, 2018

2017 CSUN commencement

More than 11,500 graduating students are eligible to participate in California State University, Northridge’s 2018 commencement ceremonies being held at CSUN's iconic Delmar T. Oviatt Library.

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Task Force on General Education Appointed

February 9, 2018

Matador statue

A Task Force on General Education (GE) has been convened to review CSUN's current GE requirements and make recommendations that advance student success through quality education while maintaining our cross-cultural competency requirements, in alignment with the California Education Code. Click here to read the announcement here, including the Task Force Statement, purpose, goals and timeline.

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CSUN Professor Receives CSU Honor

January 29, 2018

Dr. Ivor Weiner

Dr. Ivor Weiner, Professor of Special Education, was recognized with the Wang Family Excellence Award by the Board of Trustees of the California State University (CSU). As one of the CSU's highest honors and awarded to four faculty and one staff member each year. Dr. Weiner was recognized in the category for Outstanding Faculty Service and honored at the January meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees. Click here to read the full story.

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Statement on Recent Events in Charlottesville, Virginia

August 16, 2017

Matador statue

Like so many of you, I continue to grapple with the events of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the blatant display of racism and violence by those who actively seek to corrode our core values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for all people.

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VPAC Renamed in Recognition of $17 Million Gift

July 27, 2017

VPAC Logo

CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center has been renamed the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts in recognition of a record $17 million gift from the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of Younes and Soraya Sarah Nazarian and their family. The gift will support the programming and operations of the award-winning performing arts center, which has become one of the cultural jewels of the region since its opening 6 years ago. The gift is one of the largest in the history of the California State University and the system’s largest single gift in support of the arts. Read the full story here.

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2017-18 Budget Update

June 20, 2017

CSUN's Oviatt Library Stairs

The California State University will receive a general fund increase of $189.7 million in the 2017-18 state budget. Of that allocation, $177.2 million is recurring funds that can be used for the general operation of the university and for enrollment growth of 2,500 full-time equivalent students across the system. An additional $12.5 million is provided in fixed one-time funding to support the university's Graduation Initiative 2025 effort.

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Nearly 11,500 Graduate at 2017 Commencement

May 23, 2017

2017 CSUN commencement

Starting with Honors Convocation on May 13 and continuing May 19 to 22 with seven commencement ceremonies, California State University, Northridge celebrated the close to another successful academic year, highlighted by nearly 11,500 graduates who completed their degrees.

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Topic 7 Results: Dining Experience

May 9, 2016

CSUN dining graphic

The results to Topic 7 of Help Make CSUN Shine Bright is now available here. The report summarizes the feedback received, as well as actions already underway to address some of the comments submitted. 

We are grateful that so many in the CSUN community continue to take the time to share insights and suggestions. 

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Topic 6 Results: Parking

December 8, 2015

The University Library

The results to Topic 6 of the Help Make CSUN Shine Bright initiative is now available here. Below is President Dianne F. Harrison's email to the campus community sharing the report.

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CSUN Receives Eddy Award

November 17, 2015

Eddy Award 2015

On November 12, 2015, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) presented California State University, Northridge with a 2015 Eddy Award for Educational Leadership during a gala celebration at the Beverly Hilton.

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Message on the Paris Attacks

November 14, 2015

CSUN Seal

The following message was posted on the front page of the university website:

President Dianne F. Harrison has released a statement about the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris.

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CSUN Joins Initiative for Sustainability

October 7, 2015

Climate Commitment

On Oct. 5, California State University, Northridge President Dianne F. Harrison joined a group of 10 university presidents in signing a pact as part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), working in conjunction with the nonprofit organization Second Nature.

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President's Three-Year Review Completed

September 24, 2015

Dr. Dianne F. Harrison

California State University Chancellor Timothy White has sent a letter to faculty, staff, students, and community about the completion of CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison’s three-year review, which was initiated last year. Taking into account feedback from a variety of stakeholders, Chancellor White and the CSU Board of Trustees “are fully confident in the promising future of California State University, Northridge under President Harrison’s leadership.” Read the full letter here.

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Founders' Day Celebration

September 21, 2015

Founders Day 2015

Seven faculty members and 43 members of CSUN’s Class of ’65 — a perfect 50 — were inducted into CSUN’s 50-Year Club at the annual Founders’ Day celebration on September 19, 2015, which brings together alumni and members of the CSUN community.

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President's Annual Fall Welcome Address

August 11, 2015

2014 Convocation

President Harrison delivers her annual fall welcome address on Thursday, August 20, at 9 a.m. at the Valley Performing Arts Center. The address will be immediately followed by a reception in the main lobby of the venue.  Read more

President Harrison Reappointed to WICHE

July 14, 2015

Dr. Dianne F. Harrison

CSUN President Harrison has been reappointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) by California Governor Jerry Brown. She has been serving on the commission since 2011 by California Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011.

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President Appoints New Provost

June 8, 2015

Dr. Yi Li

President Harrison announced that Dr. Yi Li has been appointed CSUN’s next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs effective July 20, 2015.

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Comments Invited for President's Three Year Review

April 17, 2015

CSUN Seal

In an open letter to the campus community, Dr. Timothy White, Chancellor of the California State University, invited feedback for the three-year review of CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison. Comments are due May 8, 2015. Read more

President Harrison Participates in National Plenary Panel

February 24, 2015

AAC&U Conference

In January 2015, President Harrison participated in a plenary discussion of higher education leaders from across the nation at the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) centennial symposium in Washington, D.C. The session, entitled “Mobilizing Bold Leadership for America’s Global Future,” focused on how leaders in philanthropy, policy and education can make the quality of students’ college learning a national priority and a shared achievement. Click here to read the full story.

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