The campus community gathered at California State University, Stanislaus for President Joseph Sheley’s annual address, which ranged from the university’s financial situation, the collaborative need for a school signature and identity, and the increased health and safety efforts of campus.

Above all, Sheley once again emphasized student success.

“I also asked last year that we focus on student success—not just counting courses and issuing diplomas,” said Sheley. “So strong should our students be in the basics that employers hire them practically sight unseen, confident that a Stan State student always will come through.”

Reminding the audience that Proposition 30, which allows more funds to be allocated to the university as a result of the General Fund receiving more resources, expires in two years, Sheley advised that the university should begin to approach budgeting more conservatively.

As of now, Sheley considers the university’s budget fine as a result of Proposition 30 funding, but “flat” nonetheless.

“Economic recovery, though steady, is slow,” said Sheley.  “As members of the University Budget Advisory Committee learned this past year, there is not nearly enough funding available to permit us to address many of our challenges, let alone pursue our aspirations.”

Despite the university’s financial situation, Sheley still went on to commemorate the prestige of the university, which has caused CSU Stanislaus to increase its enrollment and earn recognition in a number of external publications.

Sheley also spoke to the campus community regarding the university’s expanding structure and access of advising.

“If we wish better performance in coursework, increased progress to graduation, better choices in major and in course selection, greater enjoyment of the larger university experience, excellent counsel in the face of life’s difficulties, and informed decisions in pursuit of careers, we must advise well,” Sheley said.

Sheley declared that he will launch a campus-wide task force on advising and thanked Student Affairs for its increased commitment to advising, as well as psychological and career counseling. He also commemorated everyone who participated in the “Adopt a Student” last year, a program that encouraged staff and faculty to reach out to one student in particular and make their individual success a priority.

The need for a true university logo was also on Sheley’s agenda as he invited the campus community to establish a signature and identity that works. Recognizing the university’s official logo as having beauty and integrity, Sheley said it should not be used as an everyday logo.

He also joked about the many names that the university has and added that the CSUS name is technically incorrect, since it garners confusion with CSU Sacramento.  Instead, Sheley declared that the university will seek the input from everyone in order to find a signature that conveys the pride that the campus community feels.

“We need a true university logo, one that represents the broader campus community, communicates our values and catches the eye from afar,” said Sheley. “This year, let’s develop a logo that works, one or two consistent names, and perhaps a clear, concise tagline that captures the essence of CSU Stanislaus.”

Towards the end of his address, Sheley addressed the students who were seated on stage along with him as members of Warrior Watch, a student bystander intervention program at the university. The program promotes individual responsibility by encouraging students to take care of each other.

 “It is bystander intervention that is the key to making a difference—rarely do assaults or harassment happen on campus without other students knowing before, during, or at least after the fact,” said Sheley. “Those here on stage already have committed to help us change ours to a culture of bystander intervention. They are making a difference, and I am grateful. I now ask others to join them.”