Support Higher Education

Below is a letter from California State University Fresno President, John D. Welty requesting that individuals, groups or organizations write letters to the Governor and elected officials to make higher education a priority.

Dear Fresno State Alum,

I write requesting a favor. If you have the time, I would ask you to please share your own personal Fresno State story as part of a letter-writing campaign on behalf public higher education.

Now is the time to let the governor and Legislature know that you care, and why. As state lawmakers return from their fall recess and turn their attention to next year's budget, now is the perfect time to let them know that you care about investing in California's future through higher education.

Please make your message personal:

• Tell how Fresno State has made a difference in the lives of you and your family. 
• Share how Fresno State led you to success – perhaps starting your own company or advancing your career. 
• Tell what diminished investment in educational opportunity will mean to you.
• Express your feelings on why public higher education ought to be a priority in next year's state budget.

We are making huge efforts at Fresno State and across the CSU system to save money, achieve efficiencies, re-examine our financial models, and be creative about how to operate in the new fiscal reality. But state support is still critical to the core instructional program at the CSU, and if state support does not rebound, the impacts to California will be more shocking than I think most people realize.

As you know, the state budget process for 2009-10 ended recently with a budget that leaves the CSU with approximately 20 percent less state funding ($564 million) than it had at the beginning of last year. Faculty and staff furloughs, student fee increases and program and enrollment cuts at all campuses are being implemented to cope with this immediate budget crunch.

I encourage you to take this opportunity - before the Legislature's scheduled adjournment on Sept. 11 - to email the governor, the legislative leadership, and your local members of the State Assembly and State Senate. Share your Fresno State story with legislators today. A sample letter is provided at the link below, but please do consider personalizing the message for greater effectiveness.

Academic quality, student access, and affordability - core tenets of the CSU – are at risk. More than that, California's economy and the educated workforce that sustains it will wither if the slide in state support for public higher education is not halted and reversed.

If you have questions or concerns about particular issues at Fresno State, please submit them to this link: http://www. csufresno.edu/President/contact.shtml

I hope you will join us in this effort to ensure that California's future is one of hope and promise. Please write your legislators today by visiting http://csufresno.kintera.org/action/

Sincerely,
John D. Welty
President
California State University, Fresno


Fresno State Alumni Association
Smittcamp Alumni House
2625 East Matoian Way SH 124
Fresno, CA 93740-8000