The fall semester of 2012 commenced today at Fresno City College as faculty, staff and student leaders gathered in the OAB auditorium to usher in a new semester.

Tony Cantu, president of the college, hosted the ceremonies which featured presentations by Deborah Blue, chancellor of State Center Community College District, Cheryl Sullivan, vice president for Administrative Services, and Kelly Fowler, interim VP for Instruction.

Speakers provided updates on the college’s response to the accreditation warning status, the state of the budget and strategic planning, both on the district and college levels.  District employees were also briefed on a projected $170 to $190 monthly increase in premiums for subscribers of Kaiser and Health net.

All district managers have agreed to a lower pay and furlough because of budget shortfalls.  Chancellor Blue said she believed that she and other managers must “lead by example”.  The district is still in negotiations with the academic and classified staff bargaining units for similar reductions in compensation.

Other announcements included those professors who reached tenure, awards earned by faculty and staff and the special awards given to FCC’s athletic programs.  Throughout the morning session, a massive trophy played backdrop to the speeches throughout the ceremonies. The trophy was awarded earlier this summer after the Rams won state championships in men’s tennis, men’s basketball, and wrestling in the 2011-2012 school year.

Classes start on all the SCCCD’s campuses on Aug. 13.