Campus News

Arcata – Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods have chosen as 2009 Book of the Year "Three Cups of Tea", the best-seller account of new schools established in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report put Humboldt State University at 12th among public master’s level institutions in the Western United States. Humboldt State was also ranked 38th in the broader category of public and private master’s level institutions in the West.

Arcata – Humboldt State University kicked off the 2009/2010 academic year August 24 with a record freshman class estimated at 1,400-plus, capping three consecutive years of expanding enrollment.

University officials are encouraging students, staff and faculty to seek alternative transportation to campus on Aug. 20 and 21 as parking staff braces for major increases in vehicle traffic on campus.

ARCATA—The latest edition of _Living on Shaky Ground: How To Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Northern California_ is now available at the Earthquake and Tsunami exhibit at the Humboldt County Fair, currently underway through Aug. 23, in Ferndale, Calif.

ARCATA—The L.K. Wood Boulevard repaving project has been rescheduled to be completed by Friday, Aug. 21 – a bit behind the original schedule, but still in time for the start of fall classes

Humboldt State University will be forced to close its Natural History Museum permanently by the end of August. The closure is due to this year’s severe and unprecedented state budget cuts to the California State University system.

Arcata – Humboldt State University has again been named one of the best colleges and universities in the West by The Princeton Review, which provides tutoring, test preparation and other educational services nationwide.

The L.K. Wood Boulevard repaving project has been rescheduled to be completed by Friday, Aug. 21.

Tuesday, August 4th, Plaza Street (Library Circle) off L.K. Wood Boulevard will be closed to traffic except for emergency personnel. A temporary bus stop is set up on L.K. Wood today and Tuesday. Access to the Humboldt State Library, Student Health Center and Nelson Hall is via the B Street entrance at 14th Street to Laurel Drive. Plaza Street (Library Circle) is scheduled to reopen Wednesday morning, August 5.

The California Student Aid Commission is informing CSU campuses that Cal Grant fee awards will be adjusted to cover the CSU’s recent student fee increase of $672 per year. It had been previously announced that Cal Grant fee awards would cover a $306 fee increase adopted by the CSU Board of Trustees in May, but it had been unclear if the additional increase was to be covered. The total State University Fee increase of $978 will be offset dollar-for-dollar for all 62,600 Cal Grant A and B recipients attending the CSU.

On Monday, Aug. 3, Plaza Street off of LK Wood Boulevard will be closed to traffic except for emergency personnel and buses. Those needing to access the Library, Student Health Center and Nelson Hall should take the B Street entrance at 14th Street to Laurel Drive and access these areas from the Library Parking Lot. Plaza Street is scheduled to reopen the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 4.

_The following budget update was provided by the CSU Chancellor’s Office._ The California Faculty Association (CFA) has ratified an agreement with the California State University to implement the equivalent of a two day per month furlough beginning August 1. In addition, the Academic Professionals of California (APC), the union that represents approximately 2,400 student services employees, has also ratified an agreement to begin furloughs, with members voting 72 percent in favor and 28 percent against the furlough agreement. Members of the CFA had previously voted to accept a furlough agreement.

ARCATA — Forty Humboldt State student-athletes have been recognized for their academic success by being selected to receive California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic awards.

_The following is a message from HSU President Rollin C. Richmond._

Members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) have voted to negotiate a two day per month furlough for all faculty employees that is part of the California State University’s overall plan to address a $584 million budget deficit for the 2009-10 academic year.

Members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) have voted 54 to 46 percent in favor of negotiating furloughs with the CSU as part of the university’s plan to mitigate a $584 million cut to its 2009-10 budget. The CFA represents approximately 23,000 employees; however, only 8,800 of the union’s 13,000 dues-paying members cast ballots.

Arcata – Humboldt State University’s Department of Plant Operations is overseeing the repaving of L.K. Wood Boulevard from 14th Street to Sunset, an operation scheduled to be completed on or about August 21.

Arcata – Effective this fall, Humboldt State University will shift its academic program for students aged 60 and above to the self-supporting Office of Extended Education, a move that will preserve the ‘Over 60’ classroom experience at a low cost despite the latest enrollment cutbacks and student fee hikes mandated by the California State University system.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Member Home Loan program is designed to give eligible members significant benefits that can help them buy or refinance a home. Employees can take advantage of this unique program, with features for qualified borrowers including:

The CSU Board of Trustees finalized a plan to manage a $584 million budget deficit that includes furloughs for employees, a fee increase for students, and enrollment reductions for the next two years.

_The following budget update was provided by the CSU Chancellor’s Office._ Facing an unprecedented drop in state support and a $584 million budget deficit, the California State University Board of Trustees today increased undergraduate, credential and graduate student fees for the 2009-10 academic year as part of an overall budget action plan. Additional elements of the plan include employee furloughs and workforce reductions; enrollment cuts, and additional cost cutting measures on campuses.

National Public Radio is producing a special series on budget and policy challenges facing California, which will air all next week on public radio station KHSU-FM. The series is tentatively being called "California in Crisis."

_The following budget update was provided by the CSU Chancellor's Office._ As part of an overall strategy to address an unprecedented budget reduction of $584 million for 2009-10, California State University campuses will not accept student applications for the 2010 spring term – with very few exceptions. In addition, quarter campuses that have been accepting admission applications for the 2010 winter term ceased accepting applications as of July 6, 2009.