Huge budget cuts, student fee increases, faculty and staff furloughs were discussed by President Alexander Gonzalez at his annual fall address Thursday in the University Union Ballroom.

See video of Gonzalez’s fall address.

“I have to say that given the size of the cuts at the system level, as a campus we are in a relatively better position this year because we managed our budget and enrollment well and managed to close our past budget gap,” Gonzalez said.

In attendance were department and division heads, students, faculty and staff members.

“However, when I say we are in relatively better shape, I don’t want to paint too rosy a picture,” Gonzalez said.

The California State University system is facing a total budget reduction of $700 million this fiscal year, and will reduce its enrollment by 40,000 students in the next academic year.

“I don’t have to say that these are trying economic times,” Gonzalez said. “However, while difficult, we will meet our goals and still provide the best educational experience we can for our students.”

Sacramento State will have 3,000 less students in the next academic year.

Despite the budget crisis several departments were able to achieve a lot through cooperation.

The Financial Aid team disbursed nearly $46 million to students. That is a 30 percent increase from last fall.

“Because we closed spring admissions, our strategy is to over enroll slightly in the fall in order to achieve our annualized enrolment target,” Gonzalez said.

Twenty classrooms were upgraded over the summer and the renovation of Del Norte Hall is planned for next year.

“There was a spirit of collaboration that was very strong,” said professor Chrystal Barranti of the division of social work when asked about her reaction to the president’s address.

The California Faculty Association, however, reacted differently.

“I think it’s wonderful to be upbeat,” said Cecil Canton, Sac State criminal justice professor and statewide CFA associate vice president. “But there are real attacks on higher education in the nation and in the state.”

“There are fewer professors working at Sac State, and students are paying more for fewer services,” Canton said.

Kristine Guerra can be reached at [email protected].