Despite a bumpy semester, a no-confidence vote from faculty and a near strike due to stalled contract negotiations, President Alexander Gonzalez offered an optimistic tone in his fall address last Thursday, which promised a more open and cooperative administration.

“Now that some time has passed and emotions have reached a reasonable level?we can examine the issues objectively, without hyperbole and distortions,” Gonzalez said before an audience of approximately 900 students, faculty and staff.

In an effort to remedy last term’s budgetary issues, Gonzalez highlighted the establishment of the new University Budget Committee. He said the committee will act as an open-forum for members of the campus to discuss improvement and overall campus communication.

This summer, the committee concluded that a structural deficit exists, which began years ago, but was only recently recognized when the campus experienced a decrease in enrollment.

Gonzalez said the correct approach is to try to rebalance the budget in two years or more, instead of all at once. He said the Committee will work in close cooperation with the Strategic Planning Council and other campus groups to follow a comprehensive budget development process.

He said information regarding budget development, allocations and expenditures will now be available to everyone.

“This is a key example of how the University is opening up its decision-making processes to allow broader participation,” Gonzalez said.

He also said that the university has budgeted for a larger population, as a result of not reaching enrollment targets for four consecutive years.

Consequently, the University will be dealing with a structural deficit of approximately $7.5 million.

Gonzalez said that with the $142 million the campus receives from the state general fund, the operating budget is $240 million.

“The budget committees recommendations about how to deal with it, and the approach they have recommended, should lessen the negative impact on our mission of educating our students,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez then addressed how the university’s low graduation and retention rates are negatively affecting the budget.

“Enrollment drives our operating budget, ” Gonzalez said.

When compared to other California State Universities, Sac State is in the lower half.

Gonzalez also announced his top five priorities for the 2007-08 school year. These priorities include: promoting academic achievement; accessing and raising retention and graduation rates; providing opportunity to move to a collegial; open and respectful environment; striving to refine and achieve the goals of Destination 2010; and promoting open communication and the basis for planning and decision making. Further details were not outlined.

He said he planned to accomplish this by working hard to ensure that the campus community is regularly updated as the University works toward transparent and inclusive processes.

“We will have to overcome many of our preconceptions, and we will have to develop new ways of disagreeing and of compromising,” Gonzalez said. “We must develop a new sense of collegiality.”

Gonzalez also delivered responses to several e-mails he received regarding cancelled courses and the nursing program.

Gonzalez said he is not responsible for cancelled courses. He said the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joseph Sheley provides the leadership and management for academic programs.

“When students and faculty think the president is responsible for everything, it points to the need for a better understanding and communications about how the University operates,” Gonzalez said.

One student disagreed with Gonzalez’s claim of not being responsible for cancelled courses.

“He is president? (he) is responsible for all things good and bad,” Chris Middleton, a senior business and accounting major, said. “That statement hurt him.”

Another student recognized Gonzalez’s effort to improve the campus.

“He was honest about his role and is making a commitment to compromise,” said Marcella Mcginley, a business administration major.

Gonzalez said that after securing the Western Association of Schools and Colleges approval, the campus offers for the first time an independent doctorate program.

While students seemed to disagree on the importance of the speech, a number of faculty members were at least slightly satisfied with its tone.

“We had to make recommendations that he adopted completely,” said Emir Jose Macarie, dean of the college of engineering and computer science. “The speech was good…it touched up on all the important issues.”

“I was happy to hear that he communicated directly about his vision and where he was going,” said Jim Baxter, assistant professor of biological sciences.

On the other hand, one professor in particular felt the president’s remarks and tone were insincere.

“I’m glad he addressed the issues of last year, but I would have liked to hear more about humility,” said Nicole Buffard, an associate foreign language professor. “He talked to us?like we didn’t care.”

Evelyn Bigelyaizen can be reached at [email protected].

Click here to view video clips from Gonzalez’s speech and student and faculty reactions.