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Cal Poly Pomona

State of the University

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FALL CONFERENCE ADDRESS by President J. Michael Ortiz

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Fall Conference 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007

Thank you John for those kind words! I know that you and the entire Senate have a great deal on your agenda this year and I truly appreciate the collaborative way we have worked together since my arrival.

Good morning everyone!

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SUMMER? It seems that I just sent my Commencement robe to the dry cleaners and here we are back together again.

One thing you can say about my presidency is that I like to mix things up a little bit. So today we have a new model for Convocation, one that involves hearing a little less from me and more from the people who are leading our university’s most important initiatives. We are also bridging our annual Service Awards to Convocation and I want to thank the leadership of Staff Council for helping make this possible.

You know, one of the best parts of being President is celebrating your achievements. Everything that makes Cal Poly Pomona a great place to work and learn is the result of your efforts. Let me kick off this morning by thanking the Czar of Kellogg West, Mr. Andy Abelman, and all of his great staff, for another wonderful breakfast.

Did everyone get a mug? I hope so… This is one small way we are impacting our community. These new mugs, which feature the art work from our Fall Conference pin, are made from a renewable resource - 100% U.S. corn plastic.  Microwave safe and environmentally-friendly, these coffee mugs are made from corn, not petroleum like traditional plastic coffee mugs. They not only make a great Fall Conference gift, but they prevent us from sending over 1,200 paper coffee cups to the local landfill. I want to thank the members of the Climate Neutrality Committee for their work in making these possible. That’s the kind of innovative thinking that is moving us forward!

Today we begin a new academic year with the addition of 54 new faculty and 247 new staff to Cal Poly Pomona. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please stand and be recognized. Welcome everyone! Now I have a request. Would all of the new faculty and staff please pick up one the green ribbons on your table and pin it underneath your Fall Conference pin? This a great way we can find each find you and welcome you to campus.

While I can’t single everyone out, there are a few people that I would like to recognize and introduce. As you know, Provost Morales is now President Morales at the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. While there is no replacing Tomas, per se, I am honored that we have been able to acquire the support of a terrific educator and leader. Among his many credits in higher education, Dr. Herman Lujan has been a President at the University of Northern Colorado and a Provost at Cal State Los Angeles. Just when he thought he could retire and live the good life with his wife, Carla, we were able to talk him into coming to Cal Poly on an interim basis. The search for a permanent Provost will begin shortly but we couldn’t get a better fit for this upcoming year than Herm. Dr. Lujan, would you please stand so we can give you a Bronco welcome.

After Pat Farris retired last year, we were forced to find a new Chief Financial Officer and vice president for Administrative Affairs. This is one of the most difficult positions on campus, but we were extremely fortunate to have had someone well-prepared to assume this new role. He is truly a home-grown talent. The experience and leadership provided by Dr. Ed Barnes has already made a significant difference in university life and I would like to ask Ed to stand and be recognized.

It was a very busy summer, one that produced a terrific new leader for the university. After an extended search process, we have acquired a perfect fit for The Collins School of Hospitality Management. Dr. Andy Feinstein had most recently been serving as a Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but he is also a well-respected hospitality education administrator. I could not be more pleased that he accepted our invitation to join Cal Poly Pomona. While his appointment does not begin until December 4, he is with us today. Ladies and gentlemen - Dr. Andy Feinstein.

There is another new face on campus this year, but one that we will only be able to keep for a year. UC Irvine Professor Kristen Day is an American Council on Education Fellow for the 2007-2008 academic year. The ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising faculty and staff to assume leadership roles in higher education. Fellows are included in the highest level of decision-making, participate in administrative activities and work on specific issues at the host organization. She has been a professor in the UC Irvine department of Planning, Policy and Design since 1994. Her research and teaching focuses on issues of diversity and social justice in urban environments. Kris, would you please stand and be recognized.

I would like to introduce someone who may be new to higher education, but stands today as one of the most respected people in the Inland Empire. As you have heard me say, we are closing in on launching a comprehensive capital campaign. While I want to talk more about the campaign later in my remarks, I want to introduce you to the person we have identified to serve as the executive director. This was a great coup for Cal Poly Pomona. Our new colleague is one of the region’s most influential people, having served as the chief executive officer of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the San Bernardino Sun. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the face of our upcoming capital campaign, Mr. Bob Balzer.

And last, but certainly not least, are two people that represent our greatest constituency. Of course, I am speaking of our students. Please welcome our new ASI President Chris Wyrick (pause while Chris stands) and the vice president, Brittany Yates (pause while Brittany stands). Congratulations and thank you for working so hard for our students and I’ll see you at Pizza with the Presidents.

While the capital campaign is destined to have an important long-term impact on our students, let’s introduce some of the people who are making a difference right now. If you ask a student to identify someone who helped facilitate their degree, the word advisor always comes forward. Each year we honor Outstanding Advisors from each of our colleges and the Division of Student Affairs. Let’s recognize these important men and women. When I call your name, would you please rise. And please hold your applause until the end:

  • Greg Partida, College of Agriculture
  • Anna Carlin, College of Business Administration
  • Thienhuong Hoang, College of Education and Integrative Studies
  • Brita Olson, College of Engineering
  • Ken Nakaba, College of Environmental Design
  • John Self, The Collins School
  • Charles Gossett, CLASS
  • John Chan, College of Science
  • Alma Pasos, Office of the Registrar/Student Affairs

Thank you for your great work!

Last year, we launched a tradition that deserves special recognition. Each year, select university faculty are confirmed by their colleagues to earn the right of tenure, thus becoming lifetime members of the university family. In 2007, 26 faculty members received this honor, with some also earning promotion to associate professor or professor. I have invited each of them to join us today, so we can celebrate their achievement. Would you rise as I call your name and, again, please hold your applause:

Receiving tenure and promotion to professor:

  • Donald Edberg - Aerospace Engineering
  • Zekeriya Aliyazicioglu - Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Timothy Lin - Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Sean Monemi - Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Salomon Oldak - Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Meng-Lai Yin - Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Greisy Winicki-Landman - Mathematics & Statistics

Receiving tenure and promotion to associate professor:

  • Sijun Wang - International Business & Marketing
  • Alison Baker - English & Foreign Languages
  • Noel Houck - English & Foreign Languages
  • Michael Cholbi - Philosophy
  • Nancy Alvarado - Psychology & Sociology
  • Faye Wachs - Psychology & Sociology
  • Marjorie Jones - Collins School
  • Donald St. Hilaire - Collins School
  • Gaciela Brelles-Mariño - Biological Sciences
  • Wendy Dixon - Biological Sciences
  • Craig LaMunyon - Biological Sciences
  • Sean Liu - Chemistry
  • Karen Linton - Mathematics & Statistics
  • Hubertus von Bremen - Mathematics & Statistics
  • Hector Mireles - Physics

Receiving tenure:

  • Jared Stallones - Education
  • Peter Ross - Philosophy
  • Linda Bisesti - Theatre
  • David Hylton - Art

In addition, I invite you to read the information on your tables that announce those faculty members who were already tenured, but also earned promotion. Please join me in recognizing the accomplishment of these outstanding colleagues and educators.

I have worked in higher education for 36 years, starting out as a lecturer. When you grow up on a college campus, you learn a lot of things. One that stands out for me is that a university cannot function without the support of staff. Simply put, they make things happen. Cal Poly Pomona is fortunate to have some of the best and brightest minds in our industry, professionals who extend themselves every day to enhance the student experience. Every year, we celebrate the work of four extraordinary staff members who have been nominated by their peers for their exceptional work. Join me in recognizing the 2006-07 Outstanding Staff honorees:

  • Enidena Palomera,  Facilities Planning & Management
  • Nydia Gutierrez, Urban and Regional Planning
  • Debra Matheson,  Bronco Bookstore   
  • University Photographer Tom Zasadzinski

Thank you and congratulations!

I am now proud to announce the 2007 George P. Hart Award. Now in its eleventh year, the Hart Award recognizes faculty members who are regarded as role models and leaders, both on campus and in the community.

Before we introduce this year’s recipient, please welcome to the dais a member of our extended family, Ms. Sandra Baldonado, who was George’s wife. Sandy is an attorney in the local community, and is the former Mayor of the City of Claremont. Sandy….

(Sandy Baldonado addresses crowd)

Our honoree this year has made a great impact on student success. His direction of Cal Poly Pomona’s Model United Nation’s program has been legendary, propelling countless students into public service careers. He recently co-edited a highly regarded publication on the UN and has been asked to speak at conferences around the world.

I am proud today to introduce the 2007 George P. Hart Award winner, from the Department of History, Professor Emeritus John Moore.

Response from John Moore

Thank you, John and congratulations again…

This past year, Cal Poly Pomona made noteworthy progress on the important initiatives that will define the future of this university. As part of Convocation, we are going to hear from individuals who are leading the charge. They are here to give you a big picture presentation on WASC, the Accessible Technology Initiative, the University Master Plan, our commitment to sustainability and climate neutrality, and the prioritization and recovery initiative. This afternoon at the Bronco Student Center, we will feature in-depth conversations on each of these issues, enabling everyone to learn more about our process and how you can get involved.

I now have the honor of introducing our first presenter:

Speaking on ATI, the Accessible Technology Initiative, please welcome to the podium, the Director of Disability Resource Center, Dr. Cathy Schmitt Whittaker

  • Remarks from Dr. Cathy Schmitt Whittaker (ATI)
  • Remarks from Dr. Claudia Pinter-Lucke (WASC)
  • Remarks from Michael Sylvester (University Master Plan)
  • Remarks from Dr. Kyle Brown and Heidi Russina (Climate Neutrality)
  • Remarks from Dr. John Self (Prioritization and Recovery)

Thank you everyone for your leadership. What truly validates your efforts is the level of commitment and support you have from the entire university community. To give you an idea what I am talking about, would EVERYONE that is involved in WASC, ATI, the University Master Plan, Climate Neutrality or Prioritization and Recovery please stand. Now that’s impressive!

The afternoon presentations today will provide an in depth look at these areas. There will be an exclusive window of time for the university community to meet with the leadership of the prioritization and recovery process. That would include the co-chairs of the academic and support program committees, as well as the chair of the steering committee. All of this begins at 1 pm today in the Bronco Student Center.

Speaking of campus commitment, I want to repeat how proud I was of our collective support of last spring’s Access to Excellence event. I serve on the system-wide committee that is taking your suggestions and creating a ten-year strategic plan for the CSU. Our event was, BY FAR, the most dynamic and well-attended of any campus. It was also a great opportunity, especially for me, to hear the perspectives of individuals who I don’t frequently meet.

While the focus of Access to Excellence was on the CSU, we needed to take those outcomes and build on them here. Last spring I charged members of the President’s Roundtable to review that event and give me recommendations. If I am going to serve this university effectively, I need to stay current with the issues that you feel impact student success. I will soon share with you ways we can come together and address these issues.

So how does all of this tie together?

Since I arrived, I have spoken about the attributes of a great university.

  • A great university is respected by its peers. It has academic programs and curriculum that are ever changing, adapting to the times and the needs of new generations.
  • A great university shows leadership in the community and the world. It takes the lead on supporting environmental causes and sustainability, confronting issues that challenge our environmental health and well being.
  • A great university builds and grows with a purpose. It doesn’t grow to become bigger, it grows to become better.
  • A great university is sensitive to all constituents. It recognizes that technology is a cornerstone of learning, a tool that can bring out the best in all of us. A great university gives everyone that opportunity.
  • A great university can evaluate itself honestly. It can look in the mirror with a critical eye and make improvements where needed. Change is scary, but a great university recognizes that it must evolve.

Cal Poly Pomona is a great university because we take on issues that are hard to address, but important to solve. We hold each other accountable to ensure that learning stands as our primary objective. We take an ordinary budget and perform extraordinary work. We transform lives.

But these things, and so many others, can never be fully accomplished without support. That’s where the Capital Campaign comes in…

Here’s how this works:

  • We have to decide what we want. What are our goals? We need to establish our goals and determine our priorities.
  • Some of those goals will come forward via the prioritization and recovery initiative. Other things will come from a division and college-based process that will begin in the coming days.
  • While our funding goals are being identified, an outside consulting firm will be doing a comprehensive feasibility study. We have contracted with Grenzebach GLEER & Associates, arguably the nation’s best campaign consulting firm with $40 billion in current campaigns. In the coming months, they will do a comprehensive analysis to determine our campaign potential. You may have heard some pretty big numbers thrown around, but they are merely guesses until we hear from Grenzebach. That process should be completed by the winter quarter.
  • Under the leadership of Scott Warrington and Bob Balzer, and in collaboration with all constituent groups, the university will connect our vision to the interests of donors.
  • And then it’s time to get to work.
  • One thing is important for you to know. The Capital Campaign will NOT be the sole responsibility of University Advancement. If we are going to hit our goal and make a once-in-a-generation impact on this university, it will affect everyone – especially me. Each of you will play a role. Our campus identity will be tied to the campaign, including all external communications.

Throughout this quarter, Scott and Bob will be making special presentations to give you more details on the campaign timeline and your important role in identifying our goals. It is a very exciting time for all of us.

I always like to close out a speech with great news. Faculty and staff housing has been an issue on this campus for years. But today I am excited to announce the construction of the Fair Oak Walk Community, an affordable residential community designed for Cal Poly Pomona faculty and staff.

The Fair Oak Walk Community is located one block east of Garey on Foothill Blvd. The program will allow faculty and staff to buy a home near campus in the Claremont School District. All at a price more affordable than comparable homes on the open market.

We are excited that construction is currently underway on 14 of the 34 town homes for occupancy in mid December. The entire Fair Oak Walk Community will be completed in early 2008. If you are interested in becoming part of this new community, please contact the Foundation.

And finally, we received some wonderful news at the end of last week. Thanks to Dr. Barbara Burke, the National Science Foundation awarded Cal Poly Pomona a grant of nearly $585,000 to support for a comprehensive scholarship program for mathematics, physical, biological, and computer science majors. Barbara, if you are here please stand… Congratulations on a wonderful achievement!

Remember, the afternoon symposiums begin at 1 pm at the Bronco Student Center. And don’t forget the afternoon reception. Betty and I will be back at Manor House this year and look forward to seeing each of you at 4 pm.

We have got a great day ahead of us. If you are receiving a service award pin today and have not checked in, please do so. We’ll take a short break to set up for Service Awards. Now is a good time to use your new mug, refresh your coffee and visit with your friends until we begin.

Thanks to everyone for coming out today and best wishes for a great year!