Letter to Students
August 20, 2009
Dear Students:
We take this opportunity to welcome you to the start of a new academic year with the hope that the summer was safe, healthy, and provided some opportunity for renewal and fun.
As you know, the State of California is experiencing one of the greatest fiscal crises in its history. This crisis has serious implications for Cal State Fullerton. To address the $584 million CSU budget deficit, in addition to student fee increases, we have:
- (a) reduced summer school enrollment and Fall 2009 admissions,
- (b) closed Spring 2010 undergraduate admission,
- (c) implemented a salary and hiring freeze on non-essential positions,
- (d) implemented furlough days for faculty, staff, and administrators, and
- (e) made significant cuts in campus operations, including unfortunate reductions in the number of classes and sections that are available to students this year.
As you began registering for classes, you may have experienced difficulty getting certain classes that you registered for, planned to take and need to graduate. These, regrettably, are some of the consequences of the severe budget cuts to our campus. You also, no doubt, have or will have questions related to how the current budget situation will affect your ability to complete course degree requirements and access student services vital to the completion of your goals. Despite the challenges we currently face, the Cal State Fullerton university community remains committed to providing a quality education to all the students we serve. Now more than ever, we believe it is essential that you are provided with timely information, advice and tools that will assist you in navigating these challenges.
First, we want you to be aware of the CSU and Cal State Fullerton budgets and the actions being taken to address the budget deficit and reductions in funding to our system and our campus. Budget information, including explanations of furloughs and the furlough calendars that identify days during the academic year when the campus and/or services will be limited by partial or full closures can be accessed online at www.fullerton.edu/budget. We urge you to review this information so that you are aware when offices, colleges and departments are open to provide services.
Also at that site, you will find Frequently Asked Questions for Students, a document that provides answers to questions about the impact of the fiscal crisis on student fees, financial aid, registration, and how classes may be impacted by faculty furloughs. We hope you find this information useful. As a reminder, many campus services can be accessed online at www.fullerton.edu.
Cal State Fullerton faculty, staff and administrators will continue working together to provide you with a high-quality education and rich co-curricular experiences that are essential to helping you achieve your goals.
Sincerely,
Ephraim P. Smith
Vice President for Academic Affairs
California State University, Fullerton
Robert L. Palmer, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
California State University, Fullerton
