Stanislaus State chief: More pain ahead

TURLOCK — Longtime architect Ham Shirvani probably didn't envision playing to a full house in a recital hall. But the California State University, Stanislaus, president did just that Thursday in his first "State of the University" address.

Shirvani said he wanted to talk to faculty and staff about the challenges the university has faced and the hurdles still ahead.

He referred to the "economic tsunami" the state college system is experiencing that required the university to make $13.5 million in cuts. Of that, students provided $3.5 million in added fees, staff and faculty furloughs saved $4.5 million and the elimination of some part-time staff cut another $2.5 million. That leaves $3 million cut from individual departments, through reduced class offerings and services.

Stanislaus State's enrollment dropped from 7,400 full-time equivalent students to 6,800 this year, and the state requires the university to lower that to 6,665 for 2010-11, Shirvani said. And with the economy still looking sour, there are going to be more painful cuts ahead.

Shirvani pointed out that it's not feasible to make employees take more furloughs above the 10 percent — or two days a month — they're required to take now. And a further increase of fees is a hardship for already-strapped students.

He said layoffs of full-time staff and further cuts to classes and services are a possibility. "I am trying to protect as many staff as possible."

He also said it's important to recognize the university's successes, such as recognition in national publications and new programs like the executive masters of business administration classes, and plans for remodeling older buildings on campus as soon as the money is available.

He announced the university will be adding two more endowed chairs this year, bringing its total to six. And he said fund raising is strong, with $500,000 coming in soon for naming rights to the gymnasium.

Some faculty members criticized Shirvani for not participating in events such as the annual general meeting held Tuesday, and for scheduling Thursday's address at a crucial time — 9:30 a.m. — during the first week of classes.

Computer science Professor John Sarraille, president of Stanislaus' chapter of the California Faculty Association, said faculty members on the budget advisory committee have had trouble getting access to financial documents, and have not been getting cooperation from the rest of the committee.

He said the administration does not respect many faculty members' long history and understanding of the issues at Stanislaus.

"I get the sense the faculty is becoming the whipping boy around the campus," Sarraille said.

Frank Borrelli, who works in property management at the university and is president of its California State University Employees Union, took a different approach.

"You are making the decisions that eventually will bring the campus through this mess," Borrelli told a visibly moved Shirvani. "We can all get through this if we work together."

Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or 578-2343.