Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez’s address on Thursday in the University Ballroom was filled with praise for faculty and staff members, and called everyone at Sac State to “live up to their potential” in order to succeed and create an ideal “flagship” campus.

Students will see plenty of changes, Gonzalez said.

In the 24-minute speech, before a packed hall, Gonzalez said that “Destination 2010,” which includes a new recreation and wellness center, or RWEC, is ambitious and people will have to work hard in order to accomplish the goal of having Sac State be tops in the CSU system.

“It is the most exciting thing, almost campus wise, and certainly athletically that has happened in 50 years,” Athletic Director Terry Wanless said.

“I thought it was very positive,” said Charlotte Cook, director of the office of community collaborations. “He set the bar high for the coming year.”

The second-year university president said that Sac State has made progress since he arrived, despite difficult budget cuts, which didn’t hit the CSU system as hard as expected.

Furthermore, Gonzalez said many physical changes are expected to develop this upcoming year alone, including construction on a new parking structure in late December, and completion of an academic information research center by early spring.

With plans to build new student residence halls in about two years, the current number of 1,100 students who reside on campus would leap up to 5,000 residential students, Gonzalez said.

Also, a California Youth Authority facility that is no longer in use, along with 23 acres, might be acquired, Gonzalez said.

Initially, the new land near Folsom Boulevard will be used for parking, but the ultimate plan is to build a “university village” for faculty and staff, including a daycare center. It could also be used as a recruiting tool, Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also said that a new space and science center is preparing to develop, but lacks sufficient funding. A new bookstore is in the works, and the River Front Center will expand with additional food joints. The CSUS Foundation is also planning to build a new restaurant with a river view near West Guy Bridge.

The new buildings are not the entire picture, though, Cook said. She said that she also appreciated Gonzalez’s recognition and commitment of improving academics, student life on campus and community support.

“I want to help you build your academic programs, to do your jobs better,” Gonzalez said, as he addressed mostly faculty and staff members.

Gonzalez said that it’s up to staff to help engender an excellent educational experience for students, which is the essence of “Destination 2010”.

“My administration is focused on leading and on cheerleading,” Gonzalez said.

With the addition of new academic programs in art history, digital media, hellenic studies and jazz; and minors in American Sign Language, creative writing and composition, 38 new faculty members will begin work this fall, Gonzalez said.

Sac State will also offer a new master’s in bilingual, multicultural education.

Judy Gitty, a faculty member, said she was very excited about the president’s vision of Sac State becoming a true destination.

“I think it is a very excited time for our campus,” Wanless said. “It will create an image for this campus that is long over due.