Alyssa Thomas discussed the Ride Share Program. The purpose is to encourage change for a more a sustainable commute. Free rides are available on campus with your CSULB ID card by registering at csulb.edu/rideshare.
There is also a Vanpool available for commuters who travel 15 or more miles to the campus. People who use the Vanpool or public transit may also sign up for the new Zip Car program and use a car to do an errand or go to lunch off-campus. There are five cars available. Zimride is FaceBook embedded, and there is a place on the website to post for a one-time ride hookup.
Check the rideshare website for information on CSULB cyclists as well for events and courses on campus. Jax Bicycle Center in Long Beach performs free bike tune-ups for CSULB faculty, staff and students.
You can see the routes for the CSULB Shuttle live online at CSULBshuttle.com.
Time Certain: President F. King Alexander – 9:00 a.m.
President Alexander spoke to the state budget situation and informed us that there is a Budget Central power point presentation on the CSULB website. He suggested watching it and downloading a copy to share with your department.
As of 8/1/2009, there is a new GI Bill, and it is a good one to assist veterans to integrate into student life. If they come to Veteran’s Services in Brotman Hall (BH-250), Pat O’Rourke (5-5115) will assist these students. If a veteran is looking for this office, please direct them to Pat in Brotman Hall.
There is one spot left in the University Provost Search.
There is a bit of bad political news in that a great advocate for education in California at the White House, Jeff Bleich, has been appointed the U.S. Ambassador to Australia. He is expected to depart relatively soon for this new post.
With respect to flu season upon us, please keep washing your hands and keep your eyes open for ill employees and students. Flu cases have hit 200 campuses. The vaccine is available in October, and now everyone needs two shots. You need the H1N1 shot separately from the regular flu shot. The Health Center (5-4771) will have shots available for students, and the USU will have them for faculty and staff. The targeted group for H1N1 are people 18-25 years old.
The Federal Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221) passed yesterday, 9/17/09. It will convert the entire loan system to a direct lender system. The University will work directly with lenders, and student aid put into this system will go directly to the students. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Faculty and Staff furlough days have been implemented. The 10% pay cuts for everyone have started. Thank you for making it work smoothly. We need to take every opportunity to keep the public informed that we are suffering, and that business is not as usual. We are still doing a darn good job!
Mary Stephens and Sean Hernandez gave us a comprehensive budget presentation covering the 2009-2010 academic year, as well as a preliminary outlook for 2010-2011.
For 2009- 2010, the total budget problem was over $54M. Mary emphasized that there were several one-time steps taken at CSULB to handle the current budget, and we will begin next year’s planning with a budget problem of $20M.
For 2010-2011, Mary presented three budget scenarios to illustrate our problem. We are facing additional cuts of 17% in 2010-2011. Budget central website will continue to update everyone who visits it on the website. The October 23, 2009 Academic Senate Retreat will focus on budget, and divisions and colleges will conduct internal planning processes.
CSULB has to face realistic possibilities, share full information, solicit broad input, and work on major budget solutions while focusing on core mission issues. CSULB encourages teamwork which will unite us and will continue to pursue collaborative solutions while maintaining institutional excellence.
