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Message from President Corrigan
This issue
of SFSU Magazine provides a snapshot of what life has been like on campus
during the last year. Of necessity, much campus-wide energy was focused
on dealing with budget cuts of unprecedented magnitude for us. Nonetheless,
we did not allow the budget to usurp our energy, positive spirit and
forward momentum. This issue’s feature on the revival of musical
theater at SFSU, with a stunning production of "Assassins,"
testifies to the cooperative spirit and talent of Creative Arts students
and faculty. The interviews with several exciting science faculty provide
a personal glimpse of people who are doing very significant work here
while infusing their students with their own love of science. The account
of the J. Paul Leonard Library’s upcoming "Extreme Makeover"
demonstrates that we are forging ahead to ensure that future generations
of SFSU students and faculty will be able to draw on a splendid academic
resource.
Much
more in this issue reminds us all of how vital a place San Francisco
State University is and how much it -- and its alumni -- contribute
to our region, state and nation.
A final word about the budget -- not about the numbers, but about the
human side of budget reduction. Throughout the year, we made deliberate
efforts to keep this anxiety-provoking process open, candid and broadly
consultative. We held Town Hall meetings to encourage a two-way flow
of information and views. We asked the College deans to work with their
faculty to decide how they would make cuts in their own areas. I sent
almost monthly e-mail budget updates to faculty, staff and students.
We involved the Academic Senate, the Commission on University Strategic
Planning, Associated Students, the University Budget Committee and a
host of other groups. We said at the outset that in addition to preserving
the academic program and student access, our major goal was maintaining
a positive working environment for all on campus. I believe that we
have succeeded, and that we will enter the new academic year with confidence
and a strong sense of community.
Sincerely
yours,
Robert A. Corrigan
President
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