Impact
A recent study by the Chancellor’s office showed that Cal State L.A. has an enormous impact on the Los Angeles region. Annual spending related to the campus ($314 million) generates a total impact of $598 million on the regional economy. This impact sustains more than 9,000 jobs in the region, and generates nearly $30 million per year in tax revenue. Even greater—more than $1.5 billion of the earnings by CSULA alumni are attributable to their CSU degrees. Cal State L.A., along with other CSU campuses, is highly engaged in communicating this impact through ongoing meetings with industry leaders, legislators and the media.

Our involvements are highlighted in University Reports. Go to www.calstate.edu/impact for the full report.

Construction Update
We realize that the great amount of construction underway can be stressful at times. On the other hand, there is no doubt that our campus is undergoing a great renaissance. Everyone who has come here lately—including L.A.’s mayor—say they are astonished at the great changes, and remark that the University has made them justifiably proud.

Here is an update on campus projects:

Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab: All of the steel structure is now in place, meaning that larger work crews will now be on hand to further even more rapid progress.

University-Student Union: We have said goodbye to the seismically unsound building, and can expect to see excavation for in-ground plumbing and electrical work as the initial steps, followed by steel and foundation work.

Science Complex, Wing A: In-ground infrastructure work— plumbing electrical and creation of a foundation—is in progress.

Science Complex, Wing B: Finalizing design criteria and documents which will become the standards for receiving and evaluating contractors’ proposals.

Welcome Center: Electrical and foundation work are underway. Although paving of the road is slated to begin soon, construction of the Center will still cause some traffic delays.

Golden Eagle: A bronze sculpture of our mascot, created by nationally established artist Ken Bjorge, is slated for installation during Homecoming Festivities in February. The beautiful sculpture, just over six feet high with a wingspan of seven feet and one of only five originals, will be centrally located on the walkway in front of the Golden Eagle building. This gift to the campus is made possible through donors’ gifts to The CSULA Foundation.

Greenlee Plaza: Within the next few months, we will be presenting a design concept to significantly beautify this area of campus. Now that the new student parking structure is in use, a revitalized Greenlee Plaza will create a pleasing welcome for students and visitors.

Enrollment Support
On Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a “Preview Day” for high school and community college students will be held on campus. The College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology will also have an open house on that same day. You’re invited to be a part of the day’s activities, and share your pride in this University with prospective students. For more information, contact the Office of Outreach and Recruitment at ext. 3-3178.

Enhancing Learning
The Center for Effective Teaching and Learning (CETL) has become The Center for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CIETL), more accurately reflecting its Educational Support Services’ mission and complementing its other services. CIETL now encompasses two new components: e-learning and distance learning, in support of enhancing the learning experience for students.

As we begin this academic year, we should all be proud of the many CSULA accomplishments achieved in 2004-2005, especially those highlighted in the recent “A Year in Review” issue of Cal State L.A. TODAY. It was a challenging yet rewarding academic year, but thanks to your commitment and dedication to this University, we have progressed in realizing our strategic goals.

I am pleased to begin this academic quarter by launching a regular communication on issues of concern to the campus community. This first issue covers the CSU Impact Report, the new Graduation Initiative, as well as Cal State L.A.’s Faculty Retreat, construction updates, and legislative news.

I look forward to conveying campus progress in the coming year that will advance our mission to serve the educational needs of our great city and state—through diversity, access and excellence.

Wishing you an academic year of enrichment and success.

James M. Rosser

Graduation Initiative
As directed by the May CSU Board of Trustees Resolution, we are strongly focused on fulfilling the final element of a three-part systemwide Graduation Initiative to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which our students earn the baccalaureate degree. The recommended process drew heavily upon CSU Academic Senate recommendations. Led by Undergraduate Studies, we will facilitate student progress toward graduation following 22 strong practices and will file periodic progress reports. For details on the 22 specifics of the May CSU Graduation Initiative, go to www.calstate.edu/AcadAff/codedmemos/AA-2005-21.pdf

The previous two steps of the Graduation Initiative involved implementation of the Early Assessment Program www.calstate.edu/eap and the Lower Division Transfer Patterns Project www.calstate.edu/AcadAff/ldtp.shtml.

Community Connection
Students at Pasadena City College, East Los Angeles College and Los Angeles City College are now able to electronically transmit their transcripts to Cal State L.A. This gives transfer students timely feedback about work in-progress and/or completed at their community colleges; streamlining transfers, advising and timely degree completion. This innovative approach is being handled by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Legislative Notes
The Governor has signed Senate Bill 724, legislation that will allow the California State University to offer independent education doctorate degrees, the Ed.D., to take effect in January. We will be working closely with the California Postsecondary Education Commission in developing these programs to complement existing joint doctorates with UCLA and UCI.

The 23 universities of the CSU work closely together and with the Chancellor’s Office to advocate so that the CSU serves California’s changing needs. Keep up with state and federal initiatives at www.calstate.edu/GA.

Faculty Retreat
“Strengthening the University: Issues and Strategies to Improve Scholarship, Teaching and Learning” is a topic that every faculty member cares deeply about. That is why it is the focus for this year’s faculty retreat, on Friday, November 4, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., at The Westin Pasadena.

Keynoter Mary Burgan, past general secretary of the American Association of University Professors, will base her talk on her upcoming book, Whatever Happened to the Faculty? Choices in the Reform of Higher Education. The retreat includes interactive sessions pertaining to the strengthening of degree programs and facilitating faculty growth. To register, contact the Academic Senate Office at ext. 3-3750 by today, October 28.

Advisement
Faculty academic advisement training in the Colleges began during Summer Quarter with Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, and now includes Business and Economics and Natural and Social Sciences, before moving to Arts and Letters, and eventually, Health and Human Services. This incremental roll-out ensures that program and plan templates run accurately and with proper coding. This allows for trouble-shooting scenarios specific to departments, majors, options, requirements and course lists. This powerful tool will streamline the process, benefiting students and faculty advisors.

Realizing the importance of advisement in relation to successful academic outcomes, the Provost and the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate developed a task force to examine the state of advisement with the University. Faculty focus groups were conducted, 1,000 Winter Quarter 2005 students were surveyed, and a session on how GET/SA might assist were included in the task force's in-depth review. Based on analysis of its extensive data, the group presented five areas of recommendations, including creating a coordinated and integrated academic advising system; developing more rigorous policies and procedures; ongoing training for faculty and staff involved in advising; initiating an accountability, recognition and evaluation program; and providing more resources in support of academic advising. To view the report, go to www.calstatela.edu/univ/advise/atr.pdf

Engineering Success
For the second consecutive year, our College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology was the academic host of the 17th Annual Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Corporation Conference, where Carlos Gutiérrez, professor of chemistry, was honored as Educator of the Year, and four students were given scholarships in recognition of their academic dedication. The conference, broadcast live by NASA, was viewed by more than 600,000.

This year, the CSU launched a communications campaign to focus attention on the great impact the CSU has on the state of California. Cal State L.A. is co-sponsoring a meeting today at San Jose State, where the CSU is showcasing the significant contribution that engineers, computer scientists and technologists make in building economic success for California. To find out more about the CSU’s economic impact on the state, log onto www.calstate.edu/impact

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