President sees opportunity in adversity

In his annual fall Staff and Academic Assembly addresses, President Welty addressed a plan to "look ahead at where our university will be in a decade and take bold steps now to ensure that the future is a positive one."

Welty acknowledged the state budget is bad, and likely to get worse. Over the past two months he has eliminated 10.5 management positions, which has resulted in reassignment, a reduction in time base or layoff for those employees affected. There are no future layoffs contemplated this year, he said.

Despite the challenges in the coming year, the president said he stands by his statement of last year that Fresno State could be one of the top 10 comprehensive universities in the country.

“The comprehensive campaign that is being developed under the leadership of the provost, the faculty and our advancement staff promises to mobilize private and corporate support as we head to the university’s centennial in 2011.”

For a complete text of Welty’s remarks, see the president’s speech.

You may also read Dr. Welty’s Aug. 11, message to the campus community regarding the 2003-04 budget.