The Lumberjack

Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Elizabeth Hilbig HSU oceanography professor and Chair to the committee in charge of school accreditation Greg Crawford speaks at the Fall Convocation last Thursday

Though the process is two years away from completion, Humboldt State University's looming accreditation review was in the spotlight at this year's Fall Convocation. The meeting at the Van Duzer Theatre drew people from all over campus, students and community members Thursday.

The meeting is an opportunity for President Rollin Richmond to formally address faculty and staff at the start of the school year.

Greg Crawford, Oceanography Professor and Chair of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Steering Committee, gave a presentation on why attendees should care about accreditation through the association.

Retaining accreditation is crucial to attracting and retaining students, and maintaining federal financial aid funding, Crawford said.

He pointed out two themes the university will focus on during the accreditation process: the results of a Humboldt State education and inclusive academic excellence, such as continued efforts to increase diversity. Pamphlets given out during the event repeated those themes.

"We want to make the whole campus aware of what's going on," Crawford said.

The president discussed the importance of accreditation in his speech. In his charge to the Academic Senate, he urged faculty members to address accreditation review through comments about the Capacity and Preparatory Review Report (due out August 31) and by getting others to participate in the process.

"I have little doubt that HSU will be reaccredited," Richmond said. "However, that should not be a cause for complacency."

Richmond also addressed Humboldt State's financial situation in his speech. Last year's budget surplus of about $1.5 million will go to Academic Affairs to clear the deficit generated during the 2006-07 school year. Revenue from enrollment growth will help to offset some of the budget shortfall, Richmond said.

Mark Larson, new chair of the Academic Senate, gave an update of the faculty council and honored former Provost Rick Vrem. Though Vrem was not present, there was a standing ovation in his honor. Vrem retired from as Vice President of Academic Affairs over the summer.

Interim Provost Robert Snyder discussed the budget in his address. He said Humboldt State is in a critical stage, but the enrollment problems and short-term solutions of the past are turning around.

A strategic, sustainable plan and prioritizing are necessary. Snyder favors program elimination to across-the-board cuts, which he said weakens everyone.

Richmond noted recent successes at Humboldt State including the JackPass, the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund, the HSU Wireless system, the California Center for Rural Policy and a nearly 100 percent increase in the number of alums who contribute to the university.

Richmond acknowledged Geography Professor Stephen Cunha for receiving the Wang Family Excellence Award. The Wang Award was established in 1998 and is given to five outstanding California State University faculty and administrators, along with a $20,000 prize.

Music Professor Eugene Novotney, one of last year's Wang recipients, attended the meeting. Novotney had a positive message to reflect the optimism of the convocation.

"What's most important right now at this university," Novotney said, "is that every individual focus on the very best you can do."

Briana Alfaro can be reached at briana.alfaro@gmail.com

LINKS

Fall Convocation Speech by President Richmond

HSU Western Association of Schools and Colleges site

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