I’ve attended, stressed about, adored and despaired about this school since I started in 2001 as a transfer student. I wasn’t thrilled about my decision to come to Sac State– there are no brick buildings dripping with ivy — but I knew we had a good Communications Studies program so I decided to do it.

After a time, Sac State started courting me, the trees became my ivy, my professors challenged me like no others, and student-led programs such as The State Hornet and the debate team taught me more than I could of hoped. Today, I wear our (shockingly overpriced) sweatshirts with pride. I’m graduating this semester, President Alexander Gonzalez, and feel a bittersweetness towards that change, but especially feel an affinity toward my fellow students.I wanted to welcome you and write to you, Mr. Gonzalez.

Sure, all we share in common is the occasional views as we walk around campus, and I help to pay your (shockingly hefty) salary in a microscopic way, but we both have had some misconceptions about our school.

Sac State will never be an Ivy League School, never UCLA. We are rooted in the valley’s farming tradition, in a small town feel that’s mitigated by our Capitol burden. We are a good teaching university providing education for thousands who might not have achieved higher education — a noble cause. We are a strong school in some programs and could improve things in others. We are pretty conservative, but quirky and approachable with our (shockingly missing) chickens.

Mr. Gonzalez, did you know that major corporations such as Intel never even refer to other brands, they just market themselves as the best? Did you know that Apple uses Steve Job’s jeans as a signal that Apple is quirky and approachable?

Putting advertisements on the phone lines — mind you, phone lines that only students, teachers and staff are likely to use — is like telling your child “no, really you’re quite good!” each time she tries something. Eventually the child is going to get that you have no faith in her. Put back the classical music, Mr. Gonzalez. Use that money to hire better teachers in struggling programs.

I have another suggestion. Let’s streamline our computer systems, so students and faculty do not have to use several different programs. How about creating a portal page, where students have links to each class (like WebCT), to readings and class material, to their grades and to registration and financial aid. Each student will use their SacLink account and professors will automatically get that with the roll, and our photo from our OneCard will be sent to them so that they have an edge on learning our names.

How about, since our names are in already generated class lists, we create automatic discussion boards so that we can access help from our classmates anytime. Students would feel like they mattered, feel a sense of identity with the school, and be involved in instant networks that are hard to physically create. I know we have brilliant guys working in the computer services, and the Computer Science program.

I know it can be done, because one of Sac State’s direct exchange schools, Dublin City University, has it done (http://www.dcu.ie/students/myweb.shtml). Check it out, and I’d be happy to give you a guide through my portal page there. Sure, I mostly use it for email — but I’m not using my SacLink.

Mr. Gonzalez, my point is that student-based services is what changes the image. If you get most of the 28,000 students happy with this education, you have just modified the image in those minds plus everyone they tell. Good business practices do not necessrily transfer to college–there is too much idealism attached. Advertisements on the phone line are tacky and the school seems desperate. Poor student services gives a cold, impersonal impression. Stressed teachers with crowded classrooms make us feel second-rate.

Welcome to Sac State, Mr. Gonzalez. I’d be happy to take you on a walk sometime and show you all the ways that Sac State has won me over, the things I brag about. We have problems, huge ones, but marketing techniques are not going to save us in the eyes of anyone.