Construction Updates
The campus continues to change with each day. However, during some recent student focus groups, we have discovered that there is some confusion about funding sources, with many students incorrectly believing that the various campus construction projects are funded by increased student fees. The projects and funding sources are identified below.

ATM Kiosk: the structure is complete and the Credit Union machine is in use, with space for other banking vendors at the eastern end of the Library walkway. Funding: University Auxiliary Services, which recoups costs through rental charges paid by banks.

Golden Eagle Sculpture: a bronze sculpture of the Golden Eagle, created by artist Kenneth Bjorge, effectively represents the University's competitive spirit. Funding: private fund-raising.

Rubén Salazar Recognition: a portrait of the late journalist and a copy of his last column will soon be installed near the entrance so that students may understand why the Salazar Hall was named in his memory. Funding: President's Office.

Visitors' Lot D: this area will be improved, with added short-term parking; the circular configuration will be improved with a safer drive-through plan, the historic rose garden will be relocated, University monument signage will be added, and the flagpole will be relocated to a more prominent position. Funding: Parking Funds.

Signage: a new vehicular signage program will be installed to improve visitor traffic and direct vehicles back to the freeways and away from residential neighborhoods as much as possible. Funding: General Funds, as part of the University Strategic Planning initiatives.

Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab: fireproofing and all structural steel are complete and an exterior sheathing has enclosed the building enabling work on interior finishes. Construction completion is expected February 2007. Funding: State Bond.

University-Student Union: grading of the site has begun; with plumbing and utilities work soon to begin. Construction completion is expected September 2007. Funding: Student fees.

Science Complex, Wing A: the steel frame is now complete. Construction continues with installation of the metal floor decks and exterior framing. Completion is expected October 2007. Funding: State Bond, supplemented with private fund-raising.

Science Complex, Wing B: the project has been postponed until adequate funding is available to meet projected construction costs. Funding: State Bond, supplemented with private fund-raising.

Welcome Center: work on interior and exterior finishes is being done, with occupancy targeted in the near future. Funding: Parking Funds.

Enrollment Focus
All aspects of enrollment management are being closely reviewed to strengthen the University's ability to build enrollment from the University's surrounding region. Targeted enrollment for next year is 17,737 FTE (preliminary figure, subject to confirmation by the Chancellor's Office). An ad hoc committee has put together a 28 page action plan in support of strengthening our yield and improving an array of services. The emphasis is on operational functions that will further a quality environment and streamline services for current students, as well as improving visibility and responsiveness to prospective students. An initial step is that all University offices must be open for service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, with phones answered by a human voice. After finalization, this document will be posted online for the campus community.

Colleges' Welcome Day
One event tied to this enrollment effort is a VIP Welcome Day at the Colleges, a special event for undecided applicants and their families. Prospective students have received invitations from the College in which they indicated interest, with undeclared students being hosted by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. By giving these students a closer look at their respective areas of interest, we hope that we can influence their choice toward Cal State L.A. Faculty are encouraged to participate in activities in their Colleges from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 20.

Commencement Speakers
The speaker for Master's Commencement, 5:30 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2006, will be Darline Robles, the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools and chair of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Council of Education Advisors. Dr. Robles is an alumna who earned her B.A. in history here.

The speaker for the Undergraduate Commencement, at 8 a.m. the following morning, will be Michael E. Brown, professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology. Recently named by Time Magazine as one of the world's most influential people, he heads Caltech's planetary astronomy group, which researches extra-solar planetary systems, outer-and inner-solar system bodies and planetary satellites.

A "Reel" Success
Congratulations to all involved in the recent third annual Reel Rasquache Festival of the U.S. Latino Experience in Film & Art. Cal State L.A. can take tremendous pride in the fact that this unique annual celebration draws strong attendance from entertainment executives, directors, producers, actors and distributors — many of whom we proudly claim as alumni — stirring creative interaction with our students, faculty, administrative leaders, and community. This festival is the first exhibition forum on the West Coast — and the only one in Southern California — to focus exclusively on the U.S. Latino experience in film.

On Communication
I appreciate the campus response to the Town Hall meetings and the State of the University session at the Academic Senate. My intention is to regularly have such face-to-face sessions so that the campus is updated on the issues that face us as we strive to create a learning community for the 21st century.

Caring for California
Cal State L.A., with one of California's most respected and diverse nursing schools, continues to respond to the state's urgent need for more nurses for the workforce. Legislation sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (District 23) provides the CSU with $1.7 million in funding for equipment, facility renovation, curriculum development and faculty recruitment for nursing program support. At Cal State L.A., this funding slightly expanded the number of undergraduate and Entry-Level Master's in Nursing (MSN) students that we can accept in the School of Nursing. Additionally, the funding will allow a significant update of our Nursing Skills Lab to create a teaching environment more reflective of current healthcare settings, with work on the Lab slated to begin this summer.

NSF Teaching Support
Also in line with the state's pressing needs, I am pleased to report that the University has received a $478,689 grant from the National Science Foundation for a program that will support the preparation of 20 to 30 new science teachers over a three-year period. The Robert Noyce Scholarship Program will increase Cal State L.A.'s production of highly diverse middle and high school science teachers with strong science content knowledge and pedagogical skills, in order to meet the demand for qualified science teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/nsf-rnoyce.htm

Welcome
Welcome Wendy Baker as acting executive director of the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, and Dan Bridges, director of Intercollegiate Athletics. We also welcome Barry Munitz as a Trustee Professor at Cal State L.A.

 

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