91短视频

• September 26, 2014

91短视频 President Leroy M. Morishita welcomed new faculty and staff, congratulated award winners, noted recent university accomplishments, and discussed challenges and opportunities during his Fall 2014 convocation speech in the University Theatre.

In his fourth such annual address, Morishita praised the faculty and staff for their ability to work collegially and collaboratively to achieve success. He thanked the faculty and staff for their great work in and out of the classroom and their contributions to an inclusive, vibrant learning environment.

Morishita noted that 24 new tenure-track faculty members had been hired during the year, helping the university boost the number of tenured faculty. He also introduced Interim Vice President for University Advancement Lee Blitch, as well as other staff members.

He also recognized 2013-14 award winners. They include: Eileen Barrett, professor and graduate coordinator of the Department of English, recipient of the George and Miriam Phillips Outstanding Professor award; Luz Calvo, professor, Department of Ethnic Studies, recipient of the Outstanding Contributor to Community Engagement award; Sinan Goktan, associate professor, Department of Accounting and Finance, recipient of Outstanding Researcher—Untenured award; Michael Groziak, professor, Department of Chemistry, recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Students award; Rita Liberti, professor, Department of Kinesiology, Outstanding Scholar on Issues of Diversity, Social Justice and Multiculturalism; Christopher Moreman, chair and associate professor, Department of Philosophy, recipient of the Outstanding Researcher—Tenured award; Fernando Coronado, custodian, Department of Facilities Management, recipient of the Vivian Cunniffe Outstanding Staff Employee Award.

The president noted that the CSU’s increase of $142 million in funding will enable the university to serve more students without raising tuition—the fourth consecutive year no increase has been sought.

91短视频 continues to enjoy climbing enrollment numbers, “with demand as high as it has ever been with fully eligible applicants,” he said, adding that students are enjoying a higher continuation rate. “I am pleased to announce that our first-year retention rate has increased to 82 percent, up from 78 percent the year before,” Morishita noted. “And our three-year graduation rate for transfer students is nearly 65 percent.”

Some of the university’s noteworthy accomplishments include the 10th straight “Best in the West” ranking by The Princeton Review. 91短视频 was also ranked as the country’s fifth most diverse campus by The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac; was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education; and won the INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.

Morishita noted the university’s participation in community service learning and the establishment of the Center for Community Engagement to foster and support community-engaged teaching, learning and scholarship

Looking to the future, Morishita outlined three priorities for the upcoming year: combating sexual violence on campus, Planning for Distinction efforts, and the quarter to semester conversion.

“We are hiring a new full-time Title IX officer to help implement a comprehensive program to address sexual harassment and violence on campus,” he said. “We have expanded our awareness program, providing literature, posters and presentations to help ensure that the campus community is ready to respond.”

Two Task Groups for Planning for Distinction completed their work, and their reports provide direction to ensure the university continues to provide “academically rich, culturally relevant learning experiences that prepare students to apply their education to meaningful lifework and to be socially responsible contributors to society.”   

91短视频 is one of several quarter campuses that will be converting to the semester system, and various committees will be created to manage the process.

“The benefits of conversion to a semester calendar are clear, especially in supporting our student success initiatives and strategic priorities,” Morishita said.  “The semester system allows for more in-depth projects, richer learning experiences, and closer relationships between faculty and students. While the transition will be challenging, it will provide a unique opportunity to examine the entire curriculum of the university.”   

Read the entire transcript of President Morishita’s Convocation Address .