California State University

Fresno

As we continue to strive for excellence in the new century, California State University-Fresno, faces many challenges in continuing to provide quality academic programs to our students. We see growing demand for higher education ahead. The dynamic, changing face of higher education, the advent of the information age, and the increasing global interdependence of nations makes it imperative that we find new and better ways to meet the needs of students and to prepare them to succeed in the global community. We need to do this while preserving what is unique and valuable about our history and traditions. Not an easy task! We have adopted a new plan, ‘Vision for the 21st Century: A Plan for Excellence,’ which purposefully addresses these changes. Covering the areas of academic programs, students, faculty, facilities, and equipment, the university community, staff and administration, advancement, community linkages, and assessment and evaluation, this plan will allow us to serve our students better as we traverse this new century. As an institution, we are looking at what we do best and establishing goals for excellence to be implemented over the next five years. We have revised our General Education program, established our Smittcamp Family Honors College, begun to utilize technology to improve learning, placed greater reliance on non-state sources of support, renewed our commitment to graduate education, and increased opportunities for learning in our diverse community. Our primary priority remains to improve the educational experience for students. During your time at Fresno State you will notice these changes. One thing will remain the same, however: the General Catalog reflects the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. That tradition will continue and grow. The university will continue to offer a breadth of study that includes degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and at the doctoral level in selected areas. Education is an essential tool in preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. Students from all walks of life, of many ethnic backgrounds, of both genders, and of all economic levels participate in the learning experience as they strive to meet the challenges of the future.