March 12, 2025

No. 2

This is the second newsletter providing information to the campus community about ongoing efforts to address the university's budget situation and reimagine our future. For more details, visit our Financial Transparency website.

After hearing feedback from campus stakeholders, President Thomas A. Parham expanded staff representation on this committee conducting a comprehensive assessment of CSUDH and developing recommendations to shape the university's future. Staff will be asked to vote on nominees. Check your email and help select a colleague to join this key committee.

Q: What happened to the money that was supposed to fund Assistant Director positions in the Student Success Centers?

Dr. Andrew J. Drummond, Associate Vice President for Academic Advising and Career Development: “The assistant director positions in Student Success Centers were not filled because budgetary constraints meant the university was never able to provide baseline funding for those salaries. That said, CSUDH remains committed to the Student Success Centers, which provide holistic student support ranging from academic advising, career resources, and registration assistance, with a specific focus on the needs of students in each college. Since their implementation in 2022, we have seen increases in student encounters and improvements in retention and other metrics.”

Since our previous newsletter, the CSUDH executive cabinet has continued to meet with leaders from unions representing staff and faculty on campus to discuss the current financial situation. Most recently, this includes representatives from the California State University Employees Union and the California Faculty Association. Check the Financial Transparency website for ongoing updates on these and other engagements.

The consultant group is involved in assessing the university's operations and providing strategic insights to CSUDH leaders to help the institution build resilience and a more sustainable financial future.

Activity to Date

•  In February, the Huron team focused on getting to know the CSUDH community through quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, benchmarking, and research.

•  Data collection included more than 20 individual interviews with deans, academic and administrative leaders, and functional area leaders.

Upcoming Activity

•  During March, the Huron team will conduct focus groups with standing committees that form part of the university's governance structure, as well as representative groups of faculty, students, alumni, and community partners.

•  The Huron team will also engage with the Committee for Reimagining the Future working group.

•  Data and insights collected throughout this process will inform ongoing analysis and identification of opportunities to strengthen CSUDH for the long-term.