Listen Now: Student Fee Increase Q&A with Chancellor Reed

Although the current state budget funding challenges have been a point of discussion and concern for months, many students and parents still have questions about why the CSU recently increased fees. In a recent Q & A, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed provides answers and an in-depth discussion on the increase, which will become effective in fall 2008.

Chancellor Reed also talks about financial aid, impact of the fee increase on low income and middle class students, the CSU Alliance, and instances in which the state could avoid fee increases. The audio Q & A and transcript are both available online for listening and viewing. Listen to the Q & A.

Grant to Support CSU's Professional Science Master’s Programs

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded the California State University a second major grant -- of $474,000 -- to support CSU’s Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs.

The programs, regarded as one of the most important innovations in higher education, prepare a scientifically trained, business oriented workforce for the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and energy industries, as well as government. CSU’s PSM programs operate in partnership with industry and respond to the significant need for science professionals with specialized training in California’s leading science and technology sectors.

“Our graduates are highly trained in science and technology while understanding the business applications of that knowledge,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “They operate as comfortably in the lab as in business settings.”

CSU plans to train some 1,050 science and technology professionals over the next five years with students receiving degrees in biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental sciences, biostatistics, forensic science, computational science, biomedical science, medical product development management, and genetic counseling.  Press Release.

Bulldogs Pull Off Ultimate Victory

The Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team – the one that very few thought could do it, the one that was supposed to be sent home a week ago, the one that didn't belong at 'The Ball,' the one they called Cinderella – has done it! Taming one top-ranked powerhouse team after another – the elite of collegiate baseball in the nation – the Bulldogs won the 2008 NCAA College World Series Championships with a convincing 6-1 win over the No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs today in Omaha.

Now the university will celebrate with the Central California community and welcome the team home Thursday night. A special event that has been renamed the “Fresno State Bulldogs National Championship Parade and Celebration” will be held this week to honor the team. Press Release.

SDSU Nationally Ranked for Diversity
The newest rankings released by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, placed SDSU at No. 10 for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to ethnic minorities. This represents a step up in the rankings for SDSU, as the university was ranked No. 11 last year. Press Release.

CSU Dominguez Hills’ Diversity in Action (DIA) internship program offers peer mentoring and youth leader training for CSUDH students and local youth. The unique program, which completed its inaugural year in May, was created through a partnership with the Los Angeles-based nonprofit YouThink. Diversity in Action interns teach valuable leadership, communication and diversity relations skills to middle and high school students from all over Los Angeles.
Press Release | More CSUDH News. 

CSU Chico and the Butte County Office Learning Support program will host an After School Program Professional Development Institute, July 28 – August 1.The conference will provide K-8 after school program paraprofessionals, coordinators and teaching staff the opportunity to explore ways to develop and improve their programs, facilitate experiential learning and promote a positive after school environment.
Press Release | More CSU Chico News.

Willie L. Brown Jr.’s recent editorial “Don't close the door on California's economic future” published in the San Francisco Chronicle decidedly explains why cutting the CSU and UC budgets is not the solution to the state’s economic challenges. Read Brown’s editorial.