Peak Adventures has been utilized by numerous groups including the Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento SWAT, Sutter Health, Intel, local schools and the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts.

Activities are designed for small and large group activities and provide visual and hands-on problem solving and trust/relationship development

“Many companies are turning to teambuilding as an alternative to the typical company picnic,” says Alexandra Frith, Peak Adventures marketing specialist. “By allowing employees to see the strengths in their team and problem solve, they connect with each other outside the workplace and transfer the skills and concepts they gain through teambuilding into their professional careers.”

Frith says Peak Adventures has been utilized by the Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento SWAT, Sutter Health, Intel, local schools and the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts.

The teambuilding experience at Peak Adventures “allowed us to play on each other’s strengths, and helped us encourage one another,” says Atalie Ruckman, of the Sacramento office of national investment firm Principal Funds Inc. Her group came to Peak Adventures for teambuilding in 2009. “It’s a great concept with an even better outcome.”

For additional information on teambuilding opportunities, call (916) 278-6321 or visit http://www.peakadventures.org/.

Layoff notifications will be sent today to 8 staff employees represented by the California State University Employees’ Union.

“The work we have done over the last two years to reduce expenses and judiciously use reserve funds, along with the furloughs, gave us the resources we needed to insulate against personnel reductions,” President Alexander Gonzalez says.  ”However, deep cuts in state support of higher education have left us with no further options, and the CSU Chancellor’s Office has concurred that the limited number of layoffs is unavoidable as part of our overall need to reduce salary expenses.”

Unprecedented state budget cuts to the California State University have forced Sacramento State to shrink its budget. As part of the plan to meet budget reductions, the University is eliminating 38.5 vacant staff and seven vacant management positions, transferring 17.43 positions to non-state funded sources and leaving 20 staff and eight management positions vacant.

The campus planned for both 12 percent and 18 percent budget reductions, and due to prudent financial management, the University was able to minimize the impact at 12 percent. Because of retirements, not filling vacant positions, reassigning and realigning services, transferring employees to non-state funding when possible, reducing operating expenses and substantially reducing travel, the campus was able to avoid further cuts at this time.

At this time, the University is maintaining its tenured or tenure-track faculty and retired faculty under the Faculty Early Retirement Plan, or FERP. “This decision helps us build a schedule for Fall 2010 that can better accommodate the number of students we expect,” says University Provost Joseph Sheley. “We are admitting all qualified students, as required by law, and we want to give them the best possible chance of obtaining the courses they need to advance toward graduation.”

Once the state budget is approved and the impact is known, University officials will re-evaluate the campus budget for the spring semester.

Sacramento State has approximately 1,338 faculty positions, 1,183 staff positions and 167 management positions, for a total of 2,688 positions.

The California State University Employees Union represents the directly affected staff members. The University will offer outplacement and counseling services to all workers who are laid off or decline reassignment.

A media availability will be held today at 2 p.m. at Sacramento State in the lobby of Sacramento Hall. For media assistance, contact Public Affairs at (916) 278-6156.

Brothers works as the financial expert for KCRA and NewsTalk 1530 KFBK and is a partner at Genovese Burford and Brothers investment, retirement and financial planning firm.

Brothers has been in broadcast journalism for more than 20 years and is well-known in the Sacramento community. He currently works as the financial expert for both KCRA and NewsTalk 1530 KFBK and is a partner at Genovese Burford and Brothers investment, retirement and financial planning firm. During the event, Brothers will give his unique perspective on weathering the economic storm.

Reservations are required. To RSVP, or receive more information, visit www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/CSN/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=60459.

Steve Spinner, a Department of Energy Small Business Loan Guarantee Program advisor, will discuss the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program.

Appearing with the congresswoman will be Steve Spinner, a Department of Energy Small Business Loan Guarantee Program advisor. He will discuss the department’s Recovery Act efforts and the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program. The program, established in 2006, allows the department to issue loan guarantees to eligible projects that will help accelerate commercial use of improved clean technologies which can help sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits and produce a more stable and secure energy supply.

There will also be a presentation by the U.S. Department of Commerce about programs they offer to the clean technology industry.

To attend, RSVP to http://sacstatenews.csus.edu/news/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/paste/matsuiRSVP@mail.house.gov.

Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez.

“The reinvestment in higher education is essential for California’s recovery and we appreciate the governor’s continued support,” said Reed. “Our hope is for the legislature’s approval of the budget, so we can begin to restore access and service to students across the system.”

With the timely adoption of the governor’s budget, CSU estimates that it could serve as many as 29,000 more students in 2010-2011.

A recent economic report found that the CSU supports more than 150,000 jobs statewide, annually. If the impact of higher earnings for CSU alumni is included, the number of jobs supported jumps to nearly half a million. The engine driving job creation is more than $17 billion in economic activity that directly results from CSU-related spending that generates $5.43 for every dollar the state invests.

Gonzalez joined Reed and delegations from other CSU campuses to advocate in support of the governor’s latest budget revision.

According to the CSU’s economic impact study, Sacramento State’s impact on the state and the Sacramento region are enormous. Annual spending of $607 million related to Sacramento State generates a total impact of $816 million on the regional economy and more than $1 billion on the statewide economy. This impact sustains nearly 9,000 jobs in the region and statewide.

For more information, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs Office at (916) 278-6156.

Sacramento State graduated 4,958 students during spring commencement ceremonies May 21 and 22, at Arco Arena.

Valerie Plevney, a Social Work graduate from the College of Health and Human Services, received the President’s Medal.

“In addition to excelling in the classroom and raising a daughter, Valerie performed extensive volunteer work, including helping young people as a counselor, rallying support for non-profit organizations and encouraging others to participate in community service. I am proud to award her the President’s Medal,” says University President Alexander Gonzalez.

This year’s ceremony also included Sacramento State’s first graduates from the Educational Leadership Doctoral program. The program was initiated in fall 2007, and the first cohort of 11 graduating students was formally conferred with the title of doctor at the College of Education ceremony.

The largest graduating class was from the College of Health and Human Services with 1,066 students.

“I congratulate the Class of 2010. This weekend’s graduates have overcome the challenges brought on by deep reductions in funding for higher education. Through a lot of hard work and determination, they have earned the right to join the growing family of Sacramento State alumni,” Gonzalez says.  

The University and the Board of Trustees of California State University also presented honorary doctorates to Sacramento arts and education advocate Dr. Marcy Friedman and to Dr. Mario G. Obledo, a civil rights pioneer who co-founded the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Also during commencement, Gonzalez presented the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service to Scott Maxwell and Larry Cook. Maxwell is a Sacramento State alumnus (Construction Management ‘85) and is a company vice president with Unger Construction. Cook is also an alumnus (Business ‘65) and is the chief operating officer for Airco Mechanical Inc. Both are long-time supporters of the University.

The graduation breakdown by College:

Arts and Letters: 977
Business Administration: 880
Education: 595
Engineering and Computer Science: 309
Health and Human Services: 1,066
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 218
Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies: 913

A short video and slideshows from graduation is available at www.csus.edu/pa/video/20100522_CommencementSpring.html.

The Governor included 5 million above current year funding for the CSU in his budget proposal for 2010-2011

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed will be joined by Sacramento State President Alex Gonzalez and presidents from California State University Long Beach, Fresno State, San Francisco State, and California State University Northridge.

The Governor included $305 million above current year funding for the CSU in his budget proposal for 2010-2011, restoring one-time cuts in the current year. The budget proposal restores another $60.6 million for additional support.

With the timely adoption of the Governor’s budget, CSU campuses could begin restoring access for students in the 2010-2011 academic year. CSU estimates that it could serve as many as 29,000 more students if the May budget proposal is approved.

A recent economic report highlights CSU’s role in California’s economy with the university supporting more than 150,000 jobs, statewide annually. The engine driving job creation is more than $17 billion in economic activity that directly results from CSU-related spending that generates nearly $1 billion in state and local taxes annually, and $5.43 for every dollar the state invests.

Barbara O’Connor

O’Connor, who retired from Sacramento State this month, was installed as part of AARP’s 2010 Board of Directors and will serve until 2016, says Sarah B. Koen, the association’s communications program specialist.

The 22-member board is an all-volunteer body, overseeing the policies, programs, activities and services for AARP’s 40 million members. O’Connor will use her expertise in technology to connect America’s senior citizens with health care and other programs.

While at Sacramento State, O’Connor served as director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media, helped launch Capital Public Radio, and was frequently quoted in the media about political and government issues.

“I look forward to using my telecommunications expertise, policy experience and organizing capabilities to close the digital divide for Americans 50 and over,” O’Connor says.

O’Connor has previously worked with AARP on telecommunications reform and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The largest graduating class this year is from the College of Health and Human Services with 1,066 students.

This year’s ceremony will also include Sacramento State’s first graduates from the Educational Leadership Doctoral program. The program was initiated in fall 2007, and the first cohort of 11 graduating students will be formally conferred with the title of doctor at the College of Education ceremony.

Friday ceremonies begin at noon with the College of Arts and Letters, followed by the College of Business Administration at 3 p.m. and the College of Education at 6 p.m.

Saturday ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. for the College of Health and Human Services, followed by the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies at 11:30 a.m. the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences at 2:30 p.m. and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at 5:30 p.m.

The largest graduating class is from the College of Health and Human Services with 1,066 students.

The graduation breakdown by College:

Arts and Letters: 977
Business Administration: 880
Education: 595
Engineering and Computer Science: 309
Health and Human Services: 1,066
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 218
Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies: 913

The University and the Board of Trustees of California State University will present an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts to Sacramento arts and education advocate Marcy Friedman and to Mario Obledo, a civil rights pioneer who co-founded the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Friedman will be honored during the commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Letters. Obledo will be honored during the ceremony for the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Also during commencement, University President Alexander Gonzalez will present the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service to Scott Maxwell and Larry Cook. Maxwell is a Sacramento State alum (Construction Management ’85) and is a company vice president with Unger Construction. Cook is also an alum (Business ’65) and is the vice president for construction and plumbing for Airco Mechanical Inc. Both are long-time supporters of the University.

A ruling will allow Sacramento State and other CSU campuses to continue their summer sessions.

“We appreciate the court’s recognition that allowing the CSU to offer self-support summer classes is the best way to serve students during these times of severe budget cuts,” said CSU General Counsel Christine Helwick. “Most of our campuses will provide courses on a self-support basis for those wishing to continue their studies during the summer.”

Petitioners from Cal State East Bay, Los Angeles, San Marcos and Stanislaus sought to require the CSU to reinstate state-supported summer sessions which would have caused campuses to redirect funding from the regular academic year where the most students are enrolled.

Over the past two years, the CSU saw $625 million cut from its budget. To manage this unprecedented fiscal crisis, the CSU implemented a plan requiring employee furloughs and layoffs, enrollment cuts, campus budget cuts and fee increases. Rather than cut enrollment for fall 2010 even further, most CSU campuses plan to offer self-support summer sessions instead of using limited funds for a state-supported summer session.

The elimination of state-supported summer and intersession courses, both of which have much lower enrollments than the regular academic term, was one of the most reasonable options campuses could implement to meet the goal of educating as many students as possible with fewer resources.

Most students will pay fees in the self-support sessions roughly equivalent to the state support level. A small number of summer school students who take more than 10 units will experience an increase, but the cost variances are minimal. In addition, financial aid awards are generally provided to CSU students on an annual basis and would be available for the self-support summer session.