“Every student writes. Every student could write better.”

That is the message behind a new initiative at CSU Stanislaus that emphasizes the importance of effective communication, not only in the classroom but throughout life.

CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White shared the university's priorities for 2015-16 and his vision for the CSU in his second annual “State of the CSU” address during the Board of Trustees meeting on January 27, 2015.

Read the Chancellor's remarks

Below is a video of his address:

A family tradition will return to campus this summer — the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. The Chamber of Commerce and the University are teaming up for the event, which is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. with numerous activities for kids and families. The celebration will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display, said Sharon Silva, CEO of the chamber.

“We’re really excited to partner with the University because it’s such a wonderful venue,” Silva said. “It’s great to bring the event back to campus, where it started decades ago.”

CSU Stanislaus is becoming a hot commodity.

Applications for admission to the University from prospective first-time freshmen were up 13.4 percent this year, the largest percentage increase in the entire CSU system. The two-year increase was 22.8 percent, also the largest in the CSU. Fall 2015 freshmen applications totaled 6,973, up from last year’s 6,148.

Applications from students seeking to transfer to the University increased 5.7 percent from last year, the sixth-highest gain in the CSU.

The CSU Stanislaus chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was recently recognized as a Chapter of Merit for achieving academic excellence and engaging the community of scholars in service to others. The award places the CSU Stanislaus chapter among 53 others recognized this year, 24 of them as a Chapter of Merit.