In his weekly video message, President Ortiz talks about the Student Success Fee, which the Chancellor's Office recently approved and will go into effect this fall.

The Student Success Fee will be phased in over four years, as described in greater detail.

The fee will help pay for increased class sections, tutorial services and enhanced wireless and technology support services. Cal Poly Pomona students were extensively consulted last fall through open forums and presentations. Nearly 1,400 participated in the process, with 71 percent voting to support the fee. Currently, fees to support student success programs and services are $45 annually, far less than the $398 average in the California State University system. In comparison, students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo pay more than $1,800 annually.

In addition, Ortiz talks about an expanded Pizza with the Presidents, which will take place on Thursday, April 18. With so much discussion and feedback recently about drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, the university will hold traffic safety forums before and after Pizza with the Presidents. Students can share their concerns and ideas during these forums.

In other news:

• The campus will conduct a test of the Safety Alert System at 9:45 a.m. this Thursday.
• Ortiz offers his congratulations to the cyberdefense team for defeating UC Berkeley to earn its fifth consecutive regional title and a spot in the national championships.
• The Collins College of Hospitality Management raised more than $455,000 at Hospitality Uncorked. The event drew 700 people and was held at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live.
• The College of Business Administration is launching its Leadership Forum this Wednesday. The featured speaker is Mike Sheldon, CEO of the Deutsch LA advertising company.
• The second PolyTeach event will occur this Friday with the theme, "Technology and the Innovative University." The half-day session will focus on the new uses of technology in learning.
• National Library Week is next week, and the University Library will have a variety of events, from discussions about Harry Potter to how to become a locavore (someone who eats locally grown food whenever possible).

To read the entire video message, download a PDF of the transcript.