Students, faculty and prominent guests will witness a lavish and long-anticipated inauguration of Sac State’s eleventh president, Alexander Gonzalez, today at 12:30 p.m. in the university?s Outdoor Theatre.

Naturally, students want to know if the University is flipping the bill for the entire event, and if so, for how much.

“Yes, the Foundation is funding it, or actually, I don’t know that they are paying for the dinner, or if President Gonzalez is paying for it himself,” said Ann Reed, Assistant Vice President of Public Information.

The Foundation said they are funding the inauguration, brunch, reception and the president’s dinner at the Julia Morgan Home.

“We won’t be getting the bills back until after this is all over so I don’t have a figure as of yet,” said David Levy CSUS Foundation marketing assistant. “But the Foundation is happy to pay for something like this.”

The inauguration will kick off homecoming events, which run through Saturday.

“The president’s inauguration is a very historical event for higher education,” Ann Reed said. “It dates back to medieval times.”

The ceremony marks the new reign of responsibility for Gonzalez, and it allows the Board of Trustees and Chancellor, Charles Reed, to bestow the mission of the University to the public.

Although the Board of Trustees named Gonzalez as University president on March 13, 2003, they have waited over 18 months to celebrate the hiring.

“Most of the time, a campus needs time to put on an event like this,” Ann Reed said. “We wanted to tie it into a time of festivities on campus, like homecoming.”

Attendance to the inauguration, taking place in the university’s outdoor theater, is free and open to the public.

At 12:30 p.m. the sound of ringing bells will alert faculty members to convene. All faculties will be arrayed in academic regalia, and will escort President Gonzalez, Chancellor Reed and members of the Board outside, where students and guests in the theater can see them.

Horns will sound throughout the Campus Theater from the Faculty Brass Ensemble. The President’s brother, Francisco, is scheduled to play “Quatro Milpas” on the Mexican harp.

Ceremony and speeches will follow.

“The inauguration is very symbolic,” Ann Reed said. “It’s important for faculty as well, because it reminds them of our roots in higher education.”ASI is also invited to attend. Special seating has been allocated for student government.

Formal invitations decorated in green and gold, with inserts including the President’s biography, driving directions, procession information and a list of hotel accommodations with discounted rates for the inauguration event, were sent to out-of-town officials.

Over a dozen other California State University presidents have turned in their RSVP to attend the inauguration. CSU Los Angeles, Chico, Fresno, Fullerton, San Marcos, Hayward, Northridge, Maritime, Dominguez Hills, Stanislaus and Sonoma are among some of them.

According to the ASI business office, 45 faculty gowns have been rented thus far for the ceremony. Some faculty members will wear their own gowns.Total estimated attendance is uncertain since RSVP is not required for the general public.

Before the inauguration, the University will host a small brunch in the Union for delegates and out of town officials. All delegates joining the procession will be provided a robing room located in the University Union’s Redwood Room.

A cake and punch reception will follow the ceremony.President Gonzalez is hosting his own event Sunday Oct. 3, the night before his inauguration, at the Julia Morgan House and Gardens on T Street. The home is owned and operated by the CSUS Foundation.

According to the Julia Morgan House, there will be 100 plus guests for dinner. The Foundation hired University Catering, who said they are serving only 40-50 guests; they declined to comment on chosen menu selections.

The activities after the inauguration will continue with a 7:30 p.m. concert by the CSUS Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Maria Carillo High School band. The concert will be held in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall.

“This event will bring the campus community together so we can think about our future and contemplate our roots in academics,” Ann Reed said.Homecoming week will continue through Saturday, closing with a Hornet football game against Portland State.