For the first time in far too long, administrators and faculty alike spoke in agreement as they discussed Sacramento State’s future. There was no finger-pointing, delegating or waffling. University President Alexander Gonzalez, along with Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joe Sheley and Faculty Senate chair Bruce Bikle, addressed nearly 1,000 people in the University Union’s ballroom as part of the spring address for the 2008 spring semester.

Gonzalez said factors such as missed enrollment targets contributed to Sac State’s financial troubles, but the nationwide economic woes have piled on us and made the situation worse. He pledged to work closely with the University Budget Advisory Committee and assured the crowd that the budget crisis can be used as an opportunity for growth at Sac State. Gonzalez did not minimize the impact of the budget crisis at Sac State but said that three areas were going to be negatively impacted due to financial complications. These areas are access, the state’s workforce and the ability of Sac State to bring in underrepresented students. Gonzalez said that the “silver lining” of the budget crisis is “Science II”. The money for the building has been secured, with development to begin shortly.

Sheley praised the strategic plan for Sac State and the goals it outlined. He said the strategic plan will help Sac State through the tough times and will work if we “remain disciplined.” He stressed the first goal of the strategic plan, which implements a campus wide effort to improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates.

Bikle said, “Despite some rocky paths and some disagreements here and there we made a lot of strides (at Sac State) in the last 12 months.” He also echoed Gonzalez and Sheley in his praise of the strategic plan.

Associated Students Inc. President Christina Romero also spoke briefly at the address. She repeatedly referred to the campus community as a “family” and promised to do her best to promote unity on the campus. Since we are all in this mess together, it is refreshing to start the semester without tensions looming over every aspect of the campus.

The State Hornet Staff can be reached at [email protected].