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


First-Year Experience Common Reader Program
Reading is fundamental. Not only is this the apt name of a national children's initiative that inspires children to become life-long readers and learners, but it also is the underlying principle of CSUB's First Year Experience Runner Reader common reading program. Reading is fundamental to student learning and achievement. The Runner Reader program, by engaging all entering students in reading a common text, helps our incoming students develop critical thinking skills, integrate academic and social learning experiences, and engage in intellectual discourse with peers, instructors, and community members. This year's common reader, Burro Genius by Victor Villaseñor, is also the reader for One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern County.

A number of book-related activities are scheduled both on and off campus to enhance the reading experience. These events range from symposia on Chicano literature, film screenings, panel discussions, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits, lectures, and book discussions. The events also celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. We will welcome Mr. Villaseñor to campus on November 9th in the Icardo Center. An event listing is available at http://www.kerncountylibrary .org/HTML/news/obobok.html. Please join me, our incoming students, and the Bakersfield and Kern County communities in reading and discussing Burro Genius. Our thanks to Emerson Case, associate professor of English, and the cadre of faculty, staff, and community supporters who make our Runner Reader program a success.

CSUB Day of Caring
Another initiative in which we engage our incoming students and entire campus community is the United Way's Day of Caring. That CSUB cares, is part of, and gives back to the community that supports us was in full demonstration on Saturday, September 11. I joined more than 150 students, faculty, and staff - three busloads - who picked up dead wood along the Kern River Parkway and trash at Yokuts Park. It was a great turnout for the university. In all, more than 1,000 community volunteers served in locations throughout the city. Future days of service are planned for Martin Luther Jr. Day in January and César Chávez Day in March. Thanks are in order to John Hultsman, interim vice president for Student Affairs, for initiating our participation; Jane Evarian and Tanya Boone, director and faculty coordinator, respectively, of the Center for Community Engagement and Career Exploration, for organizing the volunteers; and to all of the CSUB community members who participated. Let's do it again. For information on more ways to serve our community, please contact the CCECE Office at 654-3033.

CSUB Goes Solar
Solar panels were installed in Parking Lots "E" and "I" over the summer, just in time for the start of fall quarter. The project is part of a public-private partnership between the CSU and SunEdison which provides solar energy to 15 CSU campuses. Our project is designed to supply one-third of our energy needs and to reduce our energy costs. Shaded parking is a welcome added benefit. In addition to the parking project, a new turn- around in front of the Icardo Center also was completed. The campus turn-arounds encourage us to walk the campus. The CSUB Sustainability Committee will host a brown bag luncheon in early October to inform the campus on specifics of the solar photovoltaic project as well as other campus initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. Once the solar project is fully operational, we will hold a "Flip the Switch" event with SunEdison during early winter quarter. Our thanks go to Mike Neal, vice president for business and administrative services and Pat Jacobs, assistant vice president of Facilities Management, for their oversight of the solar project.

Carbon Capture and Storage Workshop
Our second public workshop on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies will take place Friday, Oct. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room. Last year's workshop hosted a capacity audience. We expect the same this year. Sponsored by the geology department, the workshop is free of charge and will feature presentations by experts on the use of CCS to enhance oil recovery and produce cleaner electricity. To register for the event and for more information, please contact Dirk Baron, department chair and professor of geology, at 654-3044 or visit http://csubworkshop.eventbrite.com.

Ethics Awareness Week
The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (formerly known as the Student Conduct Office) will host its second annual Ethics Awareness Week beginning October 11 through October 14. The week of events is free and open to students, faculty, and staff. The theme for the week is 'Understanding Ethics in your Discipline.' The week brings together employers, students, and faculty in panel discussions and presentations to discuss a variety of ethics-related topics. For specifics regarding Ethics Awareness week events, please visit the website at www.csub.edu/ethics.

College Assistance Migrant Program Receives Five-Year Funding
I am pleased to announce that the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education for the next five years in the amount of $2,125,000. Our program has been funded continuously since 2000. CAMP will service 80 first- time freshman students of migrant or seasonal farm worker background. The program was designed with two important components which contribute to the success of our program students. CAMP conducts a four-week summer residential program designed to help migrant students successfully transition from high school to university academic and social expectations. The program also provides students with academic advising, student supportive services, diverse cultural activities, leadership development, financial assistance, and guidance to enhance their potential to succeed in higher education. We are extremely proud to have been awarded the grant for another five years. Congratulations to Maria Escobedo, program director, for her oversight of this program.

William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees' Award
Senior Tyree Boyd-Pates was selected as CSUB's recipient of the 2010-11 William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded to students who have overcome personal adversity to attain high academic and personal achievements and engage in community service. It was presented to Tyree, along with the student awardees from the other 22 CSU campuses, at last week's Board of Trustees' meeting. A communications major with a minor in African American studies, Tyree maintains a 3.4 grade point average. His infectious energy is in high gear when he visits high schools or gives campus tours as a student ambassador for University Outreach. It is just as evident when he serves as master of ceremonies in campus programs, acts in campus plays, or teaches computer literacy to under-served youth. Tyree is the vice president of Black Men on Campus and has been a leader in our freshman orientation programs since his own freshman year. Give a round of applause to Tyree.

Wait List in the Residence Halls
Thanks to the efforts of many departments, faculty, and staff, our residence halls are filled to capacity this quarter and, in fact, have a wait list. We began fall quarter with an enrollment of almost 1,100 first-time freshmen, our largest freshman class ever, and more than 900 transfer students. The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life continues to work diligently to help anyone who needs housing assistance find safe and affordable places to live. With the increased numbers of incoming students, we look forward to the anticipated fall 2013 opening of our new campus housing. For further information on student housing and residence life, visit www.csub.edu/housing.

Honorary Degrees
I wish to remind you to submit your honorary degree nominations for 2010-11 to my office. The deadline is Friday, October 1. For specifics regarding nomination guidelines, please see last month's issue of the Update.

University Council
The first University Council meeting for 2010-11 will be held on October 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Albertson Room. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend.

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