Numerous awards are given during the banquet ceremony that recognize outstanding service and leadership at the college and University levels, and within the Alumni Association.

The event culminates with the highest recognitions for leadership and loyalty that the University offers at the ceremony: the Dorothea “Granny” Heitz Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award (see the video below) and the Dean Ed Peckham Award.

The “Granny” Heitz award is named for the late Dorothea “Granny” Heitz who, as one of the University’s greatest boosters through her work and her leadership of the “Granny Girls,” defined what CSUN spirit is all about. The award is presented to individuals who serve as outstanding volunteer role models and leaders. This year’s “Granny” Heitz award went to Gene Detchemendy, an alumnus of Cal State Northridge who has remained a visible and dedicated alumni leader. He has served nearly 15 years as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a two-year stint as the Association’s president beginning in 2004. His leadership has re-connected numerous alumni to the campus and strengthened the Alumni Association’s support for Cal State Northridge.

BELOW: Video tribute about “The Legend of Granny Heitz,” which was produced for presentation at this year’s banquet. For more information and credits, visit the University’s YouTube Channel site.

The Peckham Award is named for Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus Edmund Peckham, who served with distinction for many years as the University’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students before retiring in 1991, and who has continued to remain active in serving and advancing the campus through myriad ways well into retirement. This year’s Peckham recipient was Professor Emeritus of Child and Adolescent Development Carol S. Kelly. Dr. Kelly served with distinction on the faculty for 40 years before retiring in 2007. Known for her leadership in developing the campus’s innovative interdisciplinary major in child development, she has continued to remain engaged at the University, particularly in advancing her discipline, securing scholarship support for students, and continuing her work in creating opportunities for and protecting the rights of children.

The event was a wonderful celebration of the people who make Cal State Northridge such an outstanding institution. My thanks to the organizers, particularly the Alumni Association under the leadership of the Alumni Association president, Tammy Tolgo, and the staff of the Alumni Relations office, who made the event a success. My deepest gratitude as well goes to the many volunteers who were honored at the event and to the many people who continue to serve the campus with pride and distinction.

The previous Campus Budget FAQ that was launched June 9 and last updated October 20 has been closed to further changes and will remain accessible here. Both pages can also be accessed at the Campus Budget News main page.

An important component of this effort due to declining resources is to methodically continue reducing the University’s enrollment over the next two years while also maintaining a strong infrastructure if conditions and expectations change.

Under the leadership of Vice President for Student Affairs Terry Piper, an enrollment management plan for 2010–11 and 2011-12 has been submitted that meets these goals, which I have approved. I am pleased to share this plan with the campus community, which you will find linked at the Campus Budget News website and which can be downloaded directly from here as a PDF document.

A year later, I am pleased to report that the fee has given the University an opportunity to provide programs and services for students that would not have been otherwise possible. The current budget environment has made the availability of these funds especially crucial and timely. Students have expressed appreciation for the enhanced services and opportunities that the Campus Quality Fee has made possible.

A complete list of the Campus Quality Fee allocations for 2008-09 and the current academic year, 2009-10, can be found at the program’s website, but below are a few that particularly have made a difference in the lives of students:

24/7 Library access: This allocation allowed the Oviatt Library to remain open 24 hours during finals week to give students an opportunity to focus on their exams and final projects.

Computer access: Fee money has been made available to upgrade computers in places like the Library and Music Technology Lab.

Wi-Fi access: Last year, funding was provided to enhance wi-fi access in outdoor areas and campus facilities not covered by state funding; this year, funding was allocated to upgrade wireless support in housing.

Academic support services: Allocations have been provided to support peer learning assistants, professional writing support and tutoring services, and a graduate assistant for a technology lab.

Spirit and environment: Funding has been made available for the Matador Spirit Plaza, the USU North Quad Student Gathering Space, and the College Student Facilities Enhancement Project.

The University is committed to offering a high quality of support for students as they progress toward graduation. However, especially in a constrained budget environment like the one we are currently experiencing, it’s difficult to fund every worthwhile project and initiative that would serve to advance this goal. The Campus Quality Fee provides a much needed and flexible supplement for the University’s efforts that directly benefit students.

Cal State Northridge’s award recipient this year is Megan Saracini. This extraordinary young woman overcame serious challenges as a young child—including cancer and a home family life that provided little support and nurturing—to become a focused individual who is committed to personal success and serving the community.

As an example of her work, she is a peer counselor in the Counseling Center for Joint Advocates on Disordered Eating on campus, as well as a peer educator in the Counseling Center. She volunteers with Upward Bound, which helps give underprivileged high school students the skills and discipline to succeed in college. Through her leadership as survivorship chair of the Colleges Against Cancer Committee on campus, her club has raised more than $22,000 for the American Cancer Society. She spent spring break helping to rebuild New Orleans. This amazing young woman also identifies 9/11 as another turning point in her life, which occurred just three weeks after she moved to New York City. She spent the next several months after the tragedy volunteering to provide assistance to police, firefighters, and emergency responders.

Amazingly, even with her numerous activities and commitments, and the serious personal obstacles she has had to overcome, she has become a top student at the University! At the reception, Megan told me she loves being at Cal State Northridge—her goal is to become a psychologist specializing in art therapy and to teach on campus.

While Megan is an amazing role model for all of us, her story is also representative of many of our students, who place a value on hard work, the value of education, and the need to give back to the community.

Please join me in congratulating Megan on receiving this distinguished award and for being so exemplary of Cal State Northridge.

Founders Day is a new annual tradition that began last year as part of the University’s 50^th year anniversary celebrations. As noted in my blog last year, Founders Day commemorates the date in 1958 when classes commenced on campus at what was then known as San Fernando Valley State College. It is an opportunity to recognize the University’s past while also building tradition and a sense of pride for Cal State Northridge.

Celebrating Founders Day at the University Club had particular meaning since many of the founding faculty who were present at this year’s event had a hand in building the facility. During the event, we inducted the newest members of the “50 Year Club”—alumni who graduated and faculty and staff who began their service to the University at least 50 years ago.

I’m delighted to have this new tradition that celebrates Cal State Northridge’s history in such a way. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time hearing and sharing stories about the early days of the campus, learning about how much has changed, and looking in anticipation to the future!

I am delighted to support this activity being led by A.S. under the leadership of its president, Abel Pacheco. It is a wonderful way to demonstrate pride for Cal State Northridge and I hope it will also encourage people to think about other ways they can show pride for the University, such as by attending athletics events, taking advantage of our rich cultural and performing arts programming, and giving back to the University.

I encourage everyone in the campus community to embrace this effort and look forward to seeing a sea of red and black on Tuesdays throughout campus!

I recognize that the 2009-10 academic year brings with it special circumstances and challenges: facing significant budget cuts, the University has been forced to take actions that have gravely affected everyone in the campus community, including our students, faculty and staff. As I mentioned in the recent President’s Convocation, we moved the site of the annual address to a different location to take advantage of natural tree shade as both a symbolic and a practical recognition of the new reality we find ourselves in of needing to preserve resources wherever we can while maintaining quality. This week also is the traditional time when I usually host the annual Welcome Back Picnic. Given the uncertainty of the budget and the need to carefully manage resources, after consulting with campus leadership and Associated Students, it was decided not have the picnic this year.

Nevertheless, despite the difficulties of the past few months as the reality of the budget situation came to light, and the many challenges that remain, I am excited that students have returned and that we can re-focus our energies on serving their needs and preparing them for academic and future success.

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Faculty and Staff Budget Forums

As we begin the new academic year and settle in to the new budget reality which has affected many people’s personal finances as well as their ability to be effective at their jobs and get their work done, I recognize there remain many questions and concerns. To this end, I will host a series of budget forums, which are listed below. Recognizing the unique roles and needs of members of the campus community, separate meetings have been organized for faculty and for staff.

Each of the meetings listed below is scheduled to take place in the Presentation Room of the Oviatt Library. I hope you can join me at one of these sessions. I will provide a brief presentation regarding the status of the budget, then open the floor to any questions or concerns you may have.

Faculty Budget Forums:
September 1 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
September 2 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Staff Budget Forums:
September 2 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
September 8 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.