California State University, Fresno |

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Juan Villa / The Collegian

The 2007-2008 school year was a tumultuous one for University President John D. Welty. It started with a string of multi-million dollar verdicts in various athletics department lawsuits that had many calling for Welty’s resignation. It ends with Welty’s decision to increase the IRA fee after weeks of student debate. The Collegian sat down with Welty to discuss why he made this decision, and what he thinks this year has meant.

Lui: How do you plan on making your decision regarding the IRA fee increase?

Welty: I have spent considerable time reviewing both the IRA requests that have come in for various academic activities and projects and looking at several years now where there’s not been sufficient revenue to fund those projects. And also, with regards to athletics I reviewed thoroughly the commission on athletic financing report that was issued earlier this year …

Then, in addition to that, I reviewed some of the long-term projections for the athletic budget, so this is a tremendous amount of data and really multi-year points that need to be reviewed as we make that decision.

L: Why did you decide to make that decision?

W: Some of the club projects that couldn’t be funded because … requests for funds are almost four times as great as the dollars that are available from that part of the budget. With regard to athletics, it’s clear that … most [mid-size Division I programs] depend upon a significant student fee in order to operate. With the increase of $32 for athletics in our case it still will be well below the average fee that comparable institutions charge.

L: What would you say to students who say that a majority of students voted down the increase in the referendum?

W: I think that, first of all, it’s important that I don’t take the issue of raising student fees lightly. It’s a difficult decision.

I weighed certainly the advice that ASI provided. They endorsed it after reviewing thoroughly the referendum which unfortunately was … a very small number of students actually voting on that issue, and the student fee committee, which reviewed the issue I think in-depth after hearing various points of view from that if we are going to continue to have academic programs such as the music, the arts, theatre, athletics we are going to have to have additional student fee revenue.

L: What about the fee increases in light of the California budget cuts?

W: As you know, the state faces severe fiscal issues and in fact, our [board of trustees] next week will consider a possible fee increase and part of the steps to deal with the budget issues. Again, it’s an issue of, if you look at what students pay at comparable public universities across the country, California’s well below those fees.

At the same time, any fee increases is a very difficult step to take for anyone and I think what our board is trying to do is make sure we continue to provide the classes, quality educational experience for students.

L: Do you know how much the fee increase would be that they’re looking at?

W: The proposal is a 10 percent fee increase.

L: Is the school doing anything to try and fight the budget cuts?

W: Yes, I and many others have spent several hours both meeting with legislators locally and in Sacramento, writing letters, making it clear that the state needs to give higher education priority and although the decisions have not yet been made on the budget, I’m hopeful that priority will be recognized by the legislature and the governor.

L: Looking ahead, what are you looking forward to about the fall semester?

W: Next year I think promises to be an exciting year. We will open our new library next year, which I think will be a tremendous addition for students and faculty and the campus. I’ve had an opportunity to get a sneak tour and it’s clear that that facility is going to provide the most up to date library facilities to students and the largest library in your system.

L: What do you think the addition of Campus Pointe will mean for students?

W: I think first of all it will provide for those who want housing near the campus, another housing option for students … In addition to that, there’ll be some commercial activity there like grocery stores and other kinds of retail outlets that’ll make it convenient for students to get access.

There’ll be a theater there that again provides recreational opportunity. In addition to that, when the complex is done there will be additional student internship opportunities and we’re in the process of developing a program in hospitality management so students will be able to intern at the hotel.

We’re also talking to a bank about possibly creating a student bank so students would actually be able to get a complete bank … actually run a bank in that facility and get that experience. And then of course there’ll be lots of new jobs that’ll be open for students. I think it’ll be a place where students will spend a lot of time doing a variety of things.

L: What are your thoughts about the past school year?

W: This has been a difficult and painful year, particularly as it relates to court issues that we faced in the athletics program. I regret that we had those issues and I think we have taken steps to address them and under new leadership in athletics with Thomas Boeh and senior associate Betsy Mosher. I think there’s been some tremendous strides made to strengthen our program and to address issues that have been identified in the past.

However, I think some of those cases have also overshadowed some other very significant things that have happened on campus. Our new independent doctoral program was begun. Our new joint program of physical therapy will graduate its first students.

We also had numerous students do some incredible things. Craig School students have won recent awards … the MBA students have competed and won a national contest. We’ve had other students … a student who won an entrepreneurship awards … who actually established her own business named Stephanie Reilly and she’s an incredible example of what students can do when given the opportunity.

The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning has been funded so that really assures for us a national leadership role in providing service learning and community engagement opportunities for students.

The gift that we received to expand the farm market will again be another tremendous addition to the campus to serve all students and faculty.

L: Do you see yourself retiring anytime soon?

W: I don’t really see that in the immediate horizon, no. There’s a lot to be done and I want to make sure that we complete implementation of our plan for excellence … We have some excellent people here who are working very hard and I plan to continue to provide some support to them as I can.