Initiatives that Spring Us Forward

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students

 

In the spirit of the new Spring season, many exciting and essential projects have begun sprouting around campus. In case you missed last week's Town Hall, this note will highlight several of them.

 

Strategic Plan

Over the next 4-5 years, the university will execute a new Strategic Plan that focuses on three thematic areas, each led by a corollary “Theme Team.”

• The Student Experience, co-chaired by Sarah Garcia and Mike Panesis, will focus on strengthening both graduate and undergraduate enrollment, investing in student technology, and promoting DEI programs and services.
• The Fulfilling Work Environment, co-chaired by Rachel Ronning-Lindgren and Vanessa Webster-Smith will help us leverage a new shared governance system, enhance communication at all levels, and recommend opportunities and structures that lead to higher success and collaboration
• The Distinctive Impact Team, chaired by Kevin Baxter, will recommend ways to bolster our partnerships with regional businesses, non-profits, and foundations; promote our brand and connect it to Cal Lutheran’s mission and values; and increase targeted fundraising.

Please reach out to any of the chairs or co-chairs if you would like to get involved.

 

Master Plan

The emerging Strategic Plan will help inform which spaces and places we build, renovate, reconfigure, and/or remove. Our programs and services have evolved significantly since the last Master Plan was crafted over two decades ago. Our new Master Plan must reflect that growth and evolution. The Master Planning Team is chaired by Ryan Van Ommeren, and there will be plenty of opportunities to weigh into the ideas that will literally lay the groundwork for Cal Lutheran’s future.

 

Alcohol Policy

Speaking of decade-old policies, there have been many constituents, especially students, who have long recommended that Cal Lutheran update its alcohol policy. Over the last several months, under ASCLUG President Josh Gatison, a task force made specific recommendations to do just that. The Cabinet and the Board have accepted these recommendations.

 

In summary, the new policy allows 21-year old residential students to apply for an educational permit to have alcohol in their room. After completing necessary steps, the successful applicant may possess and consume a limited amount of beer or wine in their suite. No alcohol will be allowed in first-year halls. Additionally, with regulation, students over 21 will be permitted to consume alcohol at homecoming and other alcohol-sanctioned events.

 

I know this is an exciting change for many, but this policy must be incorporated carefully and with training at all levels, including for staff and resident advisors. Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Melinda Roper will release a statement as to when this semester the new alcohol policy will go into effect.

 

Shared Staff Governance

With a multitude of new changes comes an opportunity for staff to make their voices heard at a higher, more organized level. At my urging, the university has established the first official shared staff governance that will give staff a formal opportunity to participate in shared governance and meet with the Board of Regents. Full-time, regular staff are encouraged to contact Andrew Castro or Carol Chung to learn how they can participate in the Staff Assembly and Staff Senate. In the meantime, please visit this website for more information.

 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

In 2015, Cal Lutheran received a ten-year reaccreditation standing from WASC. In terms of duration, this is the longest, or “best,” standing a university can receive. Our next full visit will be in 2025. At the halfway point, in December 2020, we had a virtual check-in that resulted in a “Notice of Concern” that delineated six issues that we are addressing now. A Notice of Concern is not a notice of non-compliance — it is a signal that the University should make some changes. And many of us around campus are working collaboratively to design and implement these changes. For more information please visit our WASC page.

 

Commencement

The volatile nature of the pandemic, especially as it relates to events that gather thousands of attendees, have made it difficult to plan Commencement. In 2021, graduates were celebrated at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The numerous, unsolicited responses from those graduates suggested to the Graduation Planning Committee that this was a highly attractive venue. A more recent petition and emails, however, from some of our 2022 graduates prompted the Graduation Committee to revisit their initial decision. As part of their review, they surveyed elected student leaders, asking them to vote on which venue they would prefer for commencement: the fairgrounds or William Rolland Stadium. Overwhelmingly, students voted to move the ceremony back to campus, and the Committee accepted their recommendation. Hence, commencement will be held on May 14th, on campus per details on this website.

 

To further support our graduates, the Center for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion (CCEI) will be hosting three Senior Send-Offs: The Black Excellence Senior Sendoff; the Poderoses Hispanic/Latine Senior Sendoff; and a BIPoC and LGBTQ+ sendoff. Additional information is available here.

 

I am most looking forward to these events to celebrate our esteemed graduates.

 

LA Rams and Angel City 

From the time we entered into the original agreement with the LA Rams in 2016, they made it clear that they would be on campus for only a few years. I am pleased to inform you, though, that they have extended their stay for the 2022-2023 season. Along with being “home” to the 2022 Super Bowl Champions, I am thrilled to announce that we have welcomed our second professional team to campus, one of the National Women’s Soccer League new expansion teams: Angel City. Our agreement with Angel City differs from the Rams in that Angel City has a nonexclusive agreement. This means we will share the use of our fields, stadium facilities, and offices with them rather than grant them exclusive use. Cal Lutheran's partnership with Angel City is a win for all.

 

These incredible partnerships highlight the beauty and importance of our campus. The resources these athletes and coaches have brought to our students and the greater Thousand Oaks community cannot be overstated.

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI)

Nationally, AAPI month is celebrated in May. Because our academic calendar ends May 15, we will recognize this important month in April instead. The CCEI events line up can be found here.

 

Conclusion

We are working tirelessly to plant the seeds of change throughout our campus. The projects and initiatives above have come to life through the hard-work and dedication of you — our faculty, staff and students. We are the California Lutheran University that will build relationships, grow and cultivate programs, and ready this university for the mid-twenty-first century.

Lori E. Varlotta, PH.D.

President