Dear Dr. Gonzalez,

Welcome to Sac State! It’s great havin’ ya here, and we look forward to watching how your new presidential administration unfolds.

So your past history at San Marcos tells us a little bit about what you could do here. Well, here are a few suggestions as to what you could do – and a few pointers what you shouldn’t – as our new president.

So you were around at San Marcos when buildings sprouted like mushrooms, and even fundraised from wealthy families like the cereal baron Kellogg family? Maybe you could help the campus fundraise from some of the well-to-do families in the Sacramento community for better sports facilities (any spare change, Maloofs?), and better market the teams we have. Or better yet, upgrade those icky dorms.

We saw how you worked with city officials in San Marcos to get some roadways cleared up around the campus for easier commute. Well, behind that Modoc Hall you recently visited, there’s this two-lane street that’s jam-packed with students every morning commuting from Highway 50. Maybe you could work with the city to get something done. It’s a real traffic hazard that slows everybody down trying to get to class.

Limit the number of classes faculty should teach to 9 units, you propose? Could ease the burden off many faculty members, but they shouldn’t be forced to teach the maximum; it takes their efforts away from quality research, and scares away potential faculty (just like that Nobel-prize-winning professor who left San Marcos due to the heavy teaching loads). There is still some gross overcrowding in GE classes. Yes, hiring more part-time faculty could do the trick, but there should be more oversight as to the quality of education they provide.

The word from San Marcos is that you don’t get out of your office, too much; and when you do, you’re escorted around campus by an entourage. Why not do something revolutionary and roam the campus every now and then, or even put that psych degree into practice by teaching a class. A president who…mingles with students? A president whom students like? A foreign concept to us, here — at least, to students who know we have a campus president.

About those parking fees…no fat price hikes, please. No student would be happy with an 155 percent increase in fees like at San Marcos, or that upcoming price hike to $300 next year. No doubt some hot-blooded students will make some noise — or just not park on campus anymore.

So you’re real pals with Charlie Reed? Maybe your friendship helped you get your past two jobs, but it might not win you friends on campus — with students or faculty.

And keep your head down on this Common Management System thing. Probably shouldn’t write too many more letters like the one that appeared in a San Diego paper a few weeks ago. You know, the one that talked about what a great deal CMS has been for the CSU and San Marcos in particular, especially when state lawmakers are tap dancing on Reed’s head in audit committee hearings because the system is a $662 million boondoggle. Obviously, you’re a loyal guy, but look. The Fair Political Practices Committee and the state Attorney General are investigating CMS conflict of interest charges, so now is not the time to get behind a walking target.

You’ll hear about the Monday-Wednesday-Friday fiasco that created all sorts of protests on campus when Gerth carried out orders from above to increase classes on those days. Or when Gerth and Reed didn’t listen to faculty requests for pay raises a few years ago. At a university this size, communication with all components is key, whether it be administration, faculty, or students.

If the goal of this university is to educate students, there must be healthy collaboration and team effort with all members of the university and the community. You can set the tone. So welcome…now, do the right thing.

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