Provost Message - September 7, 2016

Did You Know?

CSULB ranks second among CSUs and sixth nationally in awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanics, according to Hispanic Outlook’s Top 100 Colleges for Hispanics. In addition, it ranks first in the CSU and 10th nationally in awarding master’s degrees to Hispanics.

Student Success 2025 Plan

As you know, our six-year graduation rate for freshmen has increased to about 67 percent and our four-year graduation rate for transfer students has climbed to 80 percent in recent years. While there has been considerable progress in those areas, we have work to do in regard to four-year freshman graduation rates and in reducing achievement gaps.

Last week, we submitted to the Chancellor’s Office our long-term plan and short-term strategies aimed at reducing achievement gaps and increasing the number of freshmen graduating in four years and transfer students graduating in two years. We anticipate that the CSU will receive $35 million in one-time funds from the State in 2016-17 to be allocated among campuses. CSULB is expected to receive a little more than $2 million of this. I will provide updates on this initiative as we receive more information from the Chancellor’s Office.

New ASI Food Pantry Accepting Donations

Earlier this summer, a study led by Dr. Rashida Crutchfield (Social Work) found that about one in 10 CSU students is homeless, and one in five doesn’t continually have access to enough food. 

Now employees can help ensure students have access to food by donating non-perishable food items and healthy snacks to the new ASI Food Pantry, located in USU 302, directly across from the Multi-Cultural Affairs Office.

The Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Items can also be dropped off at the USU Information Center weekdays from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. For questions or to schedule a pick-up for your donated items, please contact the pantry at ext. 5-5264 or email ASI-Pantry@csulb.edu.

The ASI Food Pantry is just one of the ways we, as a campus, are serving at-risk students. The CSULB Student Emergency Intervention Program, led by the Division of Student Affairs, is a comprehensive initiative that provides at-risk students with meals, housing, emergency funds and counseling, all of which correlate to student success, health and wellness.

Students can apply for and receive benefits from the Student Emergency Grant, the Meals Assistance Program (Feed a Need), and the Short-Term Housing Assistance Program.

POW/MIA Day Observance

CSULB will observe POW/MIA Day on September 16 at 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Sculpture - POW/MIA Flagpole on the Upper Campus Quad. 

The guest speaker will be Bobby McDonald, president and executive director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County and chairman of Orange County Veterans Advisory Council.  The event is hosted by CSULB’s Veterans Services.

Achievements and Accolades

Dr. Stan Finney (Geological Sciences) has been elected Secretary General of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The 121-nation IUGS is one of the largest non-governmental scientific organizations in the world.

Associate Deans Kris Slowinski (CNSM) and Tracy Maples (COE) were selected to give a 75-minute presentation at the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 Symposium September 21-22.  The presentation, titled “Improving First Year STEM Retention through Mathematics Placement, Learning Communities and Growth Mindset,” is one of 16 that was selected from throughout the system to highlight exemplary practices in student success.

CSULB is home to one of the “Top 10 BA Theatre Programs in the Country,” according to OnStage. Get a glimpse of what makes our Theatre Arts Department among the best at an upcoming Cal Rep or University Players show.

Please join me in congratulating all involved in these outstanding achievements.

OLLI Offers Grant for Students

Students completing a project or thesis related to the field of aging can apply for a $1,000 grant offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a Center in the College of Health and Human Services. Please share this opportunity with students who may be eligible.

The grant will be awarded at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on Saturday, October 29 from 2-4 p.m. in the HS&D Building, Room 101.  The recipient is expected to attend.

Submit completed applications by October 1 to Barbara.White@csulb.edu.