Embracing Growth: A New Academic Year at Sacramento State
Dear Sacramento State Community,
As we embark on this new academic year, I'm filled with optimism about the opportunities that lie ahead. Summer has hopefully provided everyone with a chance to recharge, allowing us to return with renewed vigor and fresh perspectives. At the New Student and Family Convocation last week, I was able to celebrate with new students and their loved ones, knowing they have chosen a University with dedicated and caring faculty and staff. UComm captured some great photos at Convocation: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBEryx
Our commitment to student success remains unwavering. We've made significant strides, reducing DFW rates by 9% over the past two years – a testament to our faculty's dedication and adaptability. Our first-year retention rate holds steady at 81%, while our four-year graduation rate has impressively climbed from 21% to 30% in just three years. These achievements underscore our ability to evolve and improve, even in the face of challenges.
Fall 2024 Enrollment Update
We are thrilled to announce another successful enrollment season, marking a significant milestone in our institution's growth and commitment to academic excellence. Our dedicated efforts have paid off, resulting in impressive student numbers across all categories.
As of this past Sunday, our campus headcount stands at 29,875 students, with a Full-Time Equivalent (FTES) of 25,921.5.
- New Undergraduate Transfers: We have welcomed 4,157 new transfer students, with an average unit load (AUL) of 12.83.
- New Undergraduate First Year Students: Our new first year class includes 3,946 students, carrying an average unit load (AUL) of 14.92.
- New Graduate Students: Additionally, 1,132 new graduate students have joined us this fall.
Notably, our California Resident FTES for Fall 2024 have increased by 289 compared to Fall 2023, reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding access to higher education for students across the state.
While these numbers are certainly cause for celebration, we must not rest on our laurels. It's crucial that we maintain this positive momentum and continue our efforts to attract and retain talented students from diverse backgrounds. Our collective dedication will be key to sustaining this growth trajectory in the coming years. We will continue to see changes for the first couple of weeks during the add-drop period, with final numbers generated at Census.
As we monitor these fluctuations and await our final enrollment figures, we must also turn our attention to the broader financial landscape facing our institution. The current budget crisis demands proactive measures to ensure our continued success and stability. With this in mind, I am calling upon all colleges to adopt a multi-faceted approach that aligns our enrollment and retention strategies with our financial realities.
To help mitigate the budget crisis. I am asking colleges to focus on strategic enrollment growth and optimize resource allocation while prioritizing student retention. On the enrollment front, colleges should invest in targeted marketing for programs, develop cost-effective hybrid and online learning options, and forge partnerships with local industries to attract both traditional and non-traditional students. For resource utilization, the emphasis should be on data-driven decision-making to allocate resources to programs with the highest growth and potential for growth. Implementing shared services models for administrative functions and class scheduling can reduce overhead costs. Integrating focused retention strategies, such as streamlined student support services and early intervention systems, can help maintain enrollment gains. This multi-pronged approach aims to boost FTES through new enrollments and improved persistence, while enhancing operational efficiency.
Our history has shown that we emerge stronger from such situations. With our collective "sí se puede" spirit, we'll transform these challenges into stepping stones for positive change, enhancing our adaptability and relevance in the dynamic landscape of higher education.
As we navigate this period of transformation, let's keep our primary mission in sharp focus: teaching. I encourage our faculty to continue infusing their instruction with cutting-edge research and scholarship. By involving students in research-rich curricula, we engage in a high-impact practice shown to significantly advance student success. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also contributes to their overall academic achievement and future prospects.
To support our faculty in navigating what may be another "unprecedented" year in higher education, I strongly encourage you to read "A Faculty Survival Guide for the New Academic Year" from The Chronicle of Higher Education. This insightful article offers four valuable approaches to tackle the unique challenges we may face. You can find it here: A Faculty Survival Guide for the New Academic Year (chronicle.com). I believe you'll find it both informative and inspiring as we embark on this new semester together.
Moreover, let's leverage our strength as a community-engaged university. By deepening our impact locally, we position Sacramento State as the top choice for regional students passionate about giving back to their communities.
I urge you to watch President Wood's Fall Address for a comprehensive overview of our current position and future direction. Together, we have the opportunity to achieve remarkable growth and accomplishments in the coming year.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, each other, and our community. Here's to a year of growth, innovation, and shared success!
Warmly,
Carlos Nevarez, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
