Fall Convocation Kicks Off 2009-10 Academic Year

On Aug. 24, Fall Convocation kicked off the 2009-10 academic year with a focus on the prior year’s accomplishments of students, faculty and staff at California State University, Dominguez Hills. President Mildred García looked toward maintaining the quality of education despite the $16.1 million cut to the university’s budget.

The meeting began with greetings from Munashe Furusa, chair of the Academic Senate and associate professor of Africana studies. President García then introduced the President’s Cabinet and vice presidents, announced new and promoted faculty and staff over the past year and introduced a slideshow of campus achievements.

The slideshow included the men’s soccer team’s 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship, the continuing expansion of the University Library, a 20 percent increase in participation at Commencement, and the partnership between CSU Dominguez Hills and the California Academy of Math and Science (CAMS) with the Science Opportunity Program.

Scholarship highlights include $50,000 given to the College of Business and Public Policy by BP and $150,000 raised for the Presidential Scholarship. The new 2009-10 cohort of Presidential Scholars and their families was introduced, as were student-athletes who were named to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Academic team.

President García urged faculty and staff to submit entries for the CSU Dominguez Hills campus-wide Directory of Awards, Scholarly Work, Creative Activities, and Civic Engagement, which is administered by the University Library. She ended with goals for the coming year, including those set by the vice presidents of Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and University Advancement. These projects encompass supporting the campus’s strategic framework, expanding services in the Academic Advisement Center, upgrading water and electrical infrastructures, continuing to meet enrollment targets, launching a student satisfaction initiative, redesigning the university’s foundation into a philanthropic board, and preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CSU Dominguez Hills with activities that engage internal and external communities.

Despite budget difficulties, García emphasized the positive aspects of the university and maintained that despite the fee increases of $672 per semester for undergraduates and $828 per semester for graduate students, CSU Dominguez Hills remains “the least expensive institution and the best value in higher education.” She underscored the importance of working together through these challenging times.

“I know how difficult it is for all of you personally and I understand the impact on our students, on families and the community,” she said. “Through open communications... I know we will do whatever we can to support each other, serve our students and provide them with an excellent academic experience and continue to strengthen our university.

“There is no question it will be tough. But because of our mission, because of the students we serve and because of our dedicated faculty, staff and administration, together we will get through this. For the communities we serve, it is essential that we succeed.”

- Joanie Harmon