On July 12, the CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition by an additional 12 percent or $294 per semester in response to an overall $650 million cut in state support. The revenue generated by the tuition fee increase will allow theCSU to serve students by offering as many classes and course sections as possible while also enrolling new students in the spring.

"The enormous reduction to our state funding has left us with no other choice if we are to maintain quality and access to the CSU," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "We will focus on serving our current students by offering as many classes and course sections as possible. We will also be able to open enrollment for the spring 2012 term, which is critical for our community college transfer students." More.

CSU Welcomes Three New Leaders

This July, three new CSU presidents started their roles: Elliot Hirshman began his tenure at San Diego State, Mohammad Qayoumi took the helm at San José State, and Leroy Morishita is now serving as interim president of CSU East Bay.

STEM Takes Root in the Summer

Throughout the summer, CSU campuses are host to hundreds of campers, but they aren’t in traditional summer camps. To help prepare them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, California’s kids are spending their summer breaks learning about science and technology. Whether they’re exploring engineering or mastering math, CSU campers get the ideal summer playing ground for the sciences. More.

Showcasing Sustainability

This week, Cal State Long Beach was host to the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference. In its tenth year, the conference is one of the most attended of its kind in California and the only sustainability conference in the state that brings together all three public higher education segments—the California State University, the University of California and the California Community Colleges. The conference lauded CSU campuses for their sustainable practices, but also focused on how California’s higher education can go greener. More.

Gifts Launch Programs in Persian Studies

Three CSUs were among 12 North American universities selected by the PARSA Community Foundation to receive grant funding, which will go toward the launch and growth of Persian studies programs. Fresno State received an endowment grant of $200,000 to support an endowed professorship in Persian Language and Culture, San Francisco State received a $150,000 grant to initiate a Persian Studies program, and San José State received a $200,000 grant toward its Iranian Studies at SJSU initiative. PARSA CF is the first Persian community foundation in the U.S. and the leading Persian philanthropic institution in the world.