CSU Bakersfield President's Monthly Campus Update Horace Mitchell, Ph.D.


Kern County Economic Summit
The state of the county's economy will be presented at the annual Kern County Economic Summit on March 24. Now in its tenth year, the summit has become a cornerstone for business forecasting and planning for the region. Dr. Abbas Grammy, professor of economics, will present his economic analysis, always with a humorous bent. Also presenting this year are Eugenio Alemán, Well Fargo vice president and senior economist; Nancy Sidhu, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation vice president and chief economist; Kirk Hawkins, Icon Aircraft president; and Stuart Witt, Mojave Air and Space Port general manager. The keynote speaker is well-known economist, speaker, author, and professor of economics and public policy at UC Irvine, Dr. Peter Navarro. CSUB is pleased to present the summit in collaboration with our community partners, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Kern Economic Development Corporation (KEDC). The conference will take place at the Doubletree Hotel from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The cost to attend is $100. For further information, please contact KEDC at 862- 5150.

Super Sunday
I have talked in years past about the CSU's initiative to reach and serve under-represented communities. "Super Sunday", which targets the African American community, began five years ago with the goal of reaching eleven churches in Southern California and twenty-three churches in the Bay Area. This year, Chancellor Reed set a goal of reaching 100 churches. I am pleased to announce that we not only have met, but have exceeded that goal. The twenty- three CSU presidents, along with administrators, faculty, and support staff, will have visited more than sixty churches in northern California and forty churches in Southern and Central California. Throughout the state, more than 100,000 families will have been reached in the four Super Sunday events in February.

The CSU's mandate to reduce enrollment due to budget constraints does not change its commitment to local students. It does, however, make admission more competitive, making it important that students apply early, and imperative that they are academically prepared to meet CSU eligibility requirements. Such programs as the Early Assessment Program, which assesses college readiness in the junior year of high school, becomes an increasingly important tool, as does the CSU Roadmap, "How to Get to College." I wish to thank Dr. Jacqueline Mimms, associate vice president for enrollment management, for coordinating the efforts in Central and Northern California, as well as her staff, for their work on this initiative. Admissions information can be found by contacting the Office of Admissions and Records at 654-3036 or by visiting their website at http://www.csub.edu/admissions/. The CSU "How to Get to College" roadmap can be accessed at http://www.calstate.edu/college/.

Jess Deegan Named Interim Director of the CSUB Antelope Valley Center
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jess Deegan, professor of psychology, as interim associate vice president of the CSUB Antelope Valley Center. Jess represents CSUB in the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Kern tri-county areas from Ridgecrest to Victorville to Santa Clarita. Jess is a proud CSUB alum, and rarely misses an opportunity to so state. He has been a faculty member for seventeen years at CSUB, serving nine years as chair of the psychology department, fourteen years in the academic senate, and three-and-a-half years as chair of the faculty. As chair of the psychology department, Jess took a leadership role in extending the psychology department to AVC.

In addition to his teaching and leadership at CSUB, Jess also is actively engaged in the community, serving on numerous non-profit boards of directors. He currently works with the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County, was appointed to the Kern County Commission on Aging where he thereafter was elected to the executive committee; and is a member of the Bakersfield Trailblazers, a four-wheeling off-road organization. Please join me thanking Jess for his many years of service to CSUB and for accepting this new leadership position.

CSUB Alumni Association Names Bryan Burrow Alumnus of the Year
Bryan Burrow ('00) has been named the CSUB Alumni Association's 2009-2010 Alumnus of the Year. Bryan, vice president and senior client manager for Bank of America, earned a bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University in Texas and his master's degree in business administration from CSUB. He has served as president of the CSUB Alumni Association, is a member of the CSUB Council of 100, and CSUB's President's Community Advisory Council. Brian's leadership, engagement, and recognition extend beyond the CSUB campus. He serves on the advisory council for Leadership Bakersfield and on the boards of directors for Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind (BAM), the Kern Agricultural Foundation, and the Westside Church of Christ. Bryan will be honored this Saturday, February 27, at the CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner, held this year at the Petroleum Club. Inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2009-2010 are honorees Jim Bock, Irma Carson, Sheryl Chalupa, and Jeff Green. For ticket and event information, please contact the Alumni Relations office at (661) 654-3211 or alumni@csub.edu.

Electronic Waste Recycling Sets Record
The CSUB electronic waste recycling event had another record-setting year. During the fifth annual event held January 26-30, volunteers from the CSUB Environmental Committee, Safety & Risk Management, and students collected a record 156,586 pounds of e-waste, exceeding last year's collection by some 30,000 pounds. Over the five years, CSUB has collected 529,318 pounds of e-waste. Of the recyclables collected this year, just over 65,000 pounds was rated compensable waste. Proceeds from the event are used to purchase recycling bins, recycled outdoor benches, plastic for handrails, and to fund other campus green initiatives. Thanks go to David Beadle, director of safety & risk management, and the members of the Environmental Committee for a successful recycling event.

Textbook Rental Program Comes to CSUB
Beginning Spring 2010, CSUB students will be able to rent textbooks at the Runner Bookstore at less than half their retail price. Barnes & Noble, which manages the Runner Bookstore, is piloting the program on college campuses across the country. At CSUB, the program will start with select titles and will expand with the program's success. Students may rent textbooks on-line from the Barnes & Noble website or in person at the Runner Bookstore. A variety of payment options are available, including student financial aid. For specifics on the rental program, please contact Michelle Fergus, Runner Bookstore manager, at 654- 2273.

Campus Dining Options Expanded
Campus life continues to be enhanced with the opening of our newest campus eatery, Wahoo's Fish Taco. Located in the Student Union, Wahoo's occupies the space formerly known as "The Pub." The menu offers a mix of Mexican, Hawaiian, and Asian cuisine and expands the convenience and culinary choices for on-campus dining. Wahoo's joins Togo's, located in the Science III building; Peet's; as well as new eateries in the Runner Café and an expanded menu in the Dining Commons, which also is open to non-residential housing customers. Wahoo's is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fridays 11a.m.-5 p.m.

University Council
University Council met today, February 26, 2010 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Albertson Room. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 19.

I look forward to seeing you around campus or at an upcoming University or community event. Take care.