Inside: 2 Staff Service/Excellence Awards 3 FYI 4 Social Media at CSUN 4 Calendar Vol. XIV · No. 11 March 15, 2010 Cal State Northridge—The Intellectual, Economic and Cultural Heart of the San Fernando Valley and Beyond CSU Launches Initiative to Increase Graduation Rates Northridge Embraces Plan, Open to Expansion of Programs Already in Place he California State University declaration of a major, decreasing system has launched an initiative the number of general education T to improve graduation rates at “As the largest public university system courses required, curtailing student Cal State Northridge and its 22 other course withdrawals and repeats and campuses. increased use of online learning and The graduation initiative aims to in the country, it is our respon sibility technology. raise six-year graduation rates eight Rawitch said the Chancellor’s percent by 2016, as well as cut in to ensure that we do everything possible Office is allowing each campus to half the existing gap in degree to help our students be successful in develop a plan based on its unique attainment by CSU’s traditionally demographics and needs. In April, underrepresented students. earning their degrees.” CSUN will participate in a regional “As the largest public university meeting that will include Cal State L.A. system in the country, it is our respon - —Jeri Echeverria and Cal State Fullerton to discuss the sibility to ensure that we do everything CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer initiative. possible to help our students be Northridge already offers an successful in earning their degrees,” extensive Summer Bridge program to said CSU Executive Vice Chancellor incoming freshmen and early inter - and Chief Academic Officer Jeri national averages of similar institutions. rates and more work ahead,” said vention through programs like the Echeverria, in a written statement Cal State Northridge has been Cynthia Rawitch, associate vice Educational Talent Search, Rawitch about the plan. “The goal of this working on improving the six-year president for undergraduate studies. said. Three years ago, the campus initiative is to not only increase the graduation rates of its first time According to the Chancellor’s reduced its general education number of students who complete freshmen for many years. The rate Office, some of the actions under requirements from 58 units to 48. their degree, but to also help those has increased from 39 percent for consideration systemwide include early “We are already making progress from traditionally underrepresented the freshman cohort that entered in start and Summer Bridge programs and with the additional steps and communities who may need additional fall 2000 to 43 percent for the cohort designed to prepare students for actions we are taking, we assume we support to finish. After all, that is the that entered in fall 2003. However, college level work before they enter will be helping students to graduate end goal—a college degree.” CSUN faces some unique challenges college as freshmen, degree audits, with fewer excess units and in shorter Currently, CSU’s overall six-year with a higher percentage of its entering early warning intervention to help periods of time,” Rawitch added. She graduation rate for students entering freshmen needing remediation in struggling students get back onto said her office has also asked academic as first time freshmen is approximately English and math than at other CSU the right track, improved academic departments to be more generous 46 percent. The goal of the initiative campuses. advising to ensure that students take with substitutions and waivers to assist is to bring it up to 54 percent, which “There are a lot of things we have the correct courses and appropriate students in meeting their graduation would put it in the top quartile of done already to improve our graduation number of credits, mandating earlier requirements. ᭿ CSUN Faculty, Staff and Students Participate in ‘Day of Action’ Hundreds of Marchers Express Support for Public Education undreds of California State of a nationwide “Day of Action” in take their concerns to state legislators Jolene Koester. “Education is key to University, Northridge students, which teachers, college professors, at a rally in Sacramento on March 22. the future of California.” H faculty and staff participated students and parents around the “I am heartened that on this day The daylong event, which was in a march and rally on Thursday, country brought attention to the so many members of our campus organized by the California Faculty March 4 to protest cuts in public impact that budget cuts were having community found positive expression Association and various campus groups, education. on education. Cal State Northridge for the value of higher education,” included a student class walkout, rally The activities at CSUN were part students and faculty are expected to said Cal State Northridge President and demonstrations. ᭿ Nonprofit Org. U.S.Postage PAID California State University 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California 91330-8242 Northridge n e y u g N n e y u T - t a D y b o t o h P CSUN faculty, staff and students participate in ‘Day of Action’ Staff Service and Excellence Recognition Event is June 3 he 44th Annual CSUN Staff Jason Mejia, Department of Geography Jinyi Li, Michael D. Eisner College of Education Sandra Darden, Klotz Student Health Center Service and Excellence Recog - Carina Mendoza, Oviatt Library Mitchell Lieu, Financial Aid and Scholarships Edwin Davila, Physical Plant Management nition Event will be held from James Merrin, Klotz Student Health Center Hilda Loomis, Physical Plant Management Suparporn Del Castillo, University Cash Services T Michelle Messiha, Associated Students Howard Lutwak, Office of Internal Auditor Colleen Frenck, Student Development and 8:30–11 a.m. on Thursday, June 3 in the Northridge Center Complex, Brian Miller, Student Affairs Technology Mary Lynn, Admissions and Records International Programing Nasir Monem, The University Corporation James Macaluso, National Center on Deafness Kevin Glasson, Information Technology Resources University Student Union. This event Joanne Moreno, Department of Kinesiology Perry Martin, Physical Plant Management Tammy Glenn, University Advancement recognizes staff and administrators Carol Nardini, University Student Union Catherine McLeod, The University Corporation Paul Haberkorn, Physical Plant Management for long-term service to the university. Megan Norman, University Development Maria Mendoza, Physical Plant Management Ernesto Hidalgo, Admissions and Records Eligibility is based on continuous Joseph O’Connor, University Web Communications Samuel Mincer, Physical Plant Management Javier Hildalgo, Academic Resources and Planning service, recognizing temporary or Robert Park, College of Social and Behavioral James Moran, Tseng College Steve Jordan, Physical Plant Management permanent employment status at half Sciences/ Educational Equity Kristin Morris, Environmental Health and Safety Brenda J. Kanno, Department of Biology time base or greater. All employment Norma Pineda, Department of Mathematics Dominique Munoz, University Advancement Kelly Kroeker, Center for Excellence in Sandra Plotin, The University Corporation James Ortega, Physical Plant Management Learning and Teaching on this campus is honored. University, Anawan Prachasaisoradej, Admissions and Maro Parian, Department of Theatre William Lee, Department of Chemistry and auxiliary, and combined service years Records Sonia Quintanilla, Physical Plant Management Biochemistry are recognized. Jacob Prendez, Student Outreach & Recruitment Linda Reid-Chassiakos, Klotz Student Astrid Logan, Department of Police Services Please review the preliminary list Silvia Ramirez, Klotz Student Health Center Health Center Roni Lopez, Physical Plant Management below. If you believe your years of Sandra Ramos, Student Accounting Hildamerie Reyes, Tseng College Ruben Lopez, Physical Plant Management service should be recognized and your Annette Rivera, Klotz Student Health Center Gary Richardson, Valley Performing Arts Center Joyce Mikus, Tseng College name is not on the list, or if your name Scott Rodgers, IT Network Engineering Mesan Richardson, Educational Opportunity Juana Mora, Faculty Affairs is not correctly listed, please e-mail Cynthia Roseman, Accounts Payable Program Trent Morgan, Associated Students Kenneth Rosenthal, Facilities Planning George Roupas, Facility Services Anthony Nguyen, Michael D. Eisner College Marianne Hudz in the Office of Human Yontra Rufus, Department of Police Services Dora Saucedo, Student Health Center of Education Resources, [email protected], Karen Sabbah, Mike Curb College of Arts, Frank Schultz III, Physical Plant Management Ronald Norton, Environmental Health and Safety by Monday, April 12. You and your Media, and Communication Scott Selna, National Center on Deafness Carolyn Okazaki, University Counseling Services supervisor will be receiving an Sima Sadafi, Liberal Studies Program Vicky Seno, College of Engineering and Joyce Scanlin, Intercollegiate Athletics invitation by e-mail. Thank you for Elaine Saler, Distance Learning Program Computer Sciences Bruce Shapiro, University Counseling Services your service! George Sarka, Klotz Student Health Center Cindy Sloan, University Cash Services Paul Slater, Physical Plant Management We are also accepting nominations Tracy Shields, Admissions and Records Edwin Smith, Facility Services Olivia Solis, Residential Life