Number of CSU Donors Increases in 2011-12
A rise in individual donations from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends sustained level year-to-year giving to the CSU, according to the Philanthropic Annual Report presented to the CSU Board of Trustees this week. In 2011-12, gift receipts from new gifts and pledge payments totaled more than $240 million for a second year. Sustaining this level of support was an increase in gift receipts from individuals from $99 million to $107 million, an increase of 8 percent. In total, 224,194 donors committed $297 million in 2011-12—the greatest number of donors since 1999. The CSU celebrated another milestone in 2011-12, as systemwide endowments reached a record high.

Proposed Budget Begins Reinvestment in the CSU
Gov. Brown’s proposed 2013-14 budget signals a welcome reinvestment in the CSU and higher education. The governor’s spending plan, which was reviewed by the CSU Board of Trustees at its meeting this week, reinstates $125 million cut from last year’s budget and adds an additional $125.1 million in new state funding. CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White acknowledged that the proposed budget “heads us in the right direction,” but the CSU still faces many fiscal challenges as it tries to recover from losing more than 30 percent of its budget the past several years.

Gov. Brown encouraged CSU leaders to continue to look for efficiencies and creative and new ways to deliver education. CSU recently launched Cal State Online, its online education initiative, and is also working on several programs to provide more access to students and expedite their time to degree. Chancellor White intends to present a revised “working plan” for the budget to the trustees in March. More information.

Mental Health Services Boosted by Grant Funding
The CSU’s 23 campuses are paying close attention to student mental health services, including integrating campus police, student services and several other offices to help identify students with potential mental health issues and offer early intervention.

Associate Director of Student Programs Ray Murillo presented a report to the CSU Board of Trustees this week and said to further improve services, the CSU has recently applied for and received a $6.9 million grant from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), which is funded by Proposition 63, that will support curriculum development and training, peer-to-peer support programs and suicide prevention. In addition, campuses provide mental health training for staff, students and campus police. CSU Chief Law Enforcement Officer Nate Johnson said the trainings will extend peace officers’ effectiveness in working with people with mental illness. More information.