Alexander Gonzalez, California State University, Sacramento's, first new president in nearly two decades, unveiled an ambitious campus agenda Thursday that he pledged can move ahead in spite of lean fiscal times for public higher education.

In a speech to hundreds of faculty and staff, Gonzalez said he would move toward building a satellite campus in Placer County, push for more aggressive fund raising, examine the athletic program and break down barriers he says have kept the school isolated from the rest of the community.

He called on employees to cope with shrinking resources without allowing the value of a Sac State degree to erode, and he said he would like a campus that has been set up for commuting students to be transformed into a more residential one.

Gonzalez steps into the presidency during one of the most difficult periods ever for public universities and colleges in California. A $38.2 billion state budget deficit has fallen hard on college students, who are paying fees 40 percent higher than last year, while some campuses are being forced to limit enrollment and cut programs.

"I look at the state's poor financial situation as an opportunity to develop for the future," Gonzalez said. "When there are adequate resources, there is a tendency to focus on the immediate needs rather than a long-term view."

Gonzalez's speech in a packed ballroom at the University Union was his first major campus appearance since he assumed the top post in July. He succeeded Donald Gerth, who retired after 19 years at the helm of CSU's sixth-largest campus.

The 57-year-old psychologist, who began his CSU career as a professor at Fresno State, also promised to meet with faculty and staff in a series of town hall meetings that will start next week -- an offer well-received by university employees.

"In the past, we had coffee with (Gerth), but it never felt like a two-way communication," said Jude Antonyappan, a social work professor starting her sixth year at CSUS. "This may bring more of a sense of community and scholarly communication."

In what might prove to be the most provocative of his plans, Gonzalez announced that he will appoint a task force to examine the school's sports teams and, if warranted, ask for reform recommendations.

"I think it's a normal thing for a new president to look at all areas of the campus that have not been truly evaluated," athletic director Terry Wanless said. "It's an exciting opportunity to look at the value of intercollegiate athletics as it relates to Sacramento State University and having a road map for the future.

"It's a review of our program, looking at it from present status to future. ... Everybody knows we have a facilities deficit that has to be addressed.

"There is absolutely nothing negative about this; it's only a positive. It's something I'm personally very excited about for our department. I call it a road map to the future."

Gonzalez said he will name task force members -- a mix of faculty, students and administrators -- within days.

"It would be helpful to me, as well as to the campus, to have a group focused just on the athletic program," he said. "I want them to look at the organization, the reporting structure and how everything operates, all with fresh eyes. Then I want them to tell me if we are organized and if we are positioned in the best way possible to make the program the best it can be."

Gonzalez said he has no "prejudgments" and was adamant there are no plans to alter or cancel any athletic programs.

Jim Chopyak, a music professor and president of the campus chapter of the California Faculty Association, liked the task force proposal and other initiatives Gonzalez outlined.

"The things he has proposed all sound reasonable," Chopyak said. "We are looking forward to working with him and hope his actions will follow his words."

Saying outsiders should think of CSUS as well as the state Capitol when they come to Sacramento, Gonzalez pledged to elevate the school's profile and push plans to build a college-town atmosphere along 65th Street that connects the campus to the city.

He also said the school can't ignore the region's growth and rising demand for college education, and expressed strong support for building a satellite campus in Placer County and perhaps El Dorado County.

After finishing his nearly half-hour-long prepared remarks, Gonzalez spoke off the cuff, telling faculty and staff, "I chose to be here.

"I left San Marcos," he said referring to the CSU campus in San Diego County where he had been president for six years. "I haven't spoken to anyone from San Marcos and haven't been back to San Marcos."

Asked after the speech what those comments were meant to convey, Gonzalez said, "I'm sincere about being here. This is not a steppingstone. This is where I can make a difference."