Message from the Provost

Thanks to all of our faculty and staff, we have had a remarkably smooth opening to the start of the fall semester. This is a difficult time for everyone at CSULB. Your dedication and commitment to the mission of the CSU and CSULB and your support of your students and colleagues is deeply appreciated.

Over the past few weeks, Vice Provost David Dowell and I have met with faculty and staff throughout the Division to share our 2009-10 budget and the outlook for 2010-11. The PowerPoint presentation, a joint undertaking between the Divisions of Administration and Finance and Academic Affairs, can be found on Budget Central. If you would like to request a presentation, please contact my office.

Academic Affairs is committed to ensuring that there is transparency and collaboration as we move forward in our budget planning process.

• Dr. Dowell will be sending regular budget updates to all faculty and staff. The first message can be found in this issue of the Academic Communiqué.
• We are also in the process of creating a Web page that invites faculty, staff and students to provide suggestions on how we can cut costs and generate revenue.
• This year’s Academic Senate retreat, "Challenges & Choices: Shaping our Future," at The Pointe on October 23, will focus on strategic planning for the university in the context of our mission, vision, and budget realities.

If we work together, I believe we will emerge from these challenging times a stronger university.

While times may be tough, let’s remember that we have a great deal to be proud of, including an excellent cohort of new faculty members and a host of student and faculty accolades and accomplishments to celebrate.