Students, faculty and staff gathered for the 2012 Fall Address at the University Union Ballroom Thursday morning to hear about changes and updates Sacramento State University will experience this upcoming semester.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez spoke about campus news, budget updates, future developments and aspirations for the university.

“We want to make sure that we are facilitating student education and helping them march to their degree smoothly,” said Will Dwyer, administrative support coordinator and organizing chair for Sac State’s CSU Employment Union. “They need to get a true handle on the graduation rate and we want to know exactly how they plan to do that with no money.”

Gonzalez, now entering his 10th year as president, continually referred to the “cautious budget approach” administration is taking in order to facilitate student needs, while remaining under budget. Gonzalez said the basis of the budget depended on the outcome of Governor Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30 initiative, which is on the November ballot.

“CSU Board of Trustees has endorsed the measure as our best possible outcome for the fiscal year,” Gonzalez said. “For our campus, all of this means that we had to prepare for more than $11 million in baseline reductions, in case the initiative does not pass.”

Gonzalez assured the audience the university is prepared if or when the time calls for severe budget cuts.

“Our cautious budget approach and careful planning are again helping us to survive,” said Gonzalez. “Nothing in the last few years has been easy, but I am proud to say that Sacramento State is making tremendous progress in these areas.”

He also mentioned all the new programs, department changes and community involvement which have been implemented, he said, to contribute to the goal of extending Sac State’s reach internationally and make the university a leading institution.

Gonzalez said he hopes all the work and advancements in progress will ultimately elevate and contribute to student success.

“Our top priority is to approach all of these challenges we will face and turn them around to use for our advantage,” said Gonzalez. “We are here for you, the students, and we are working for our faculty and staff. We haven’t lost sight.”

Maikalina Madali can be reached at [email protected].