California State University, Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani delivered his 2011 State of the University address Friday, highlighting rising student enrollment despite the challenge of declining state funding for the university.

Year-over-year, CSU Stanislaus has seen an 11.5 percent increase in enrollment, bringing the total headcount to 9,248 students. The university has seen a similar increase in full-time-equivalent students, up 14 percent, which the university attributes to both the increase in students and a higher average credit load per student.

But the university has lost $14 million in state funding since 2007, with another likely $2 million reduction in January 2012, due to expected “triggered” state budget cuts. Shirvani pledged to continue “open and consultative planning and communication” to address budget cuts, continuing work with faculty through the University Budget Advisory Committee.

Shirvani said that he believes the university can manage the potential cut with “minimal disruption” to the campus, and can protect academic quality. Though 10 CSU Stanislaus classified employees were laid off in September, Shirvani pointed to the recent hiring of 31 full-time faculty members as proof of his commitment to academics.