CSUN PAYS OFF BIG CAMPUS PLAYS PIVOTAL ROLE IN AREA ECONOMY.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - Beyond its cultural importance, California State University, Northridge, has become a major economic engine for the San Fernando Valley region - generating $4 for every dollar the state invests in the 33,000-student campus, according to a report released Thursday.

In the first comprehensive economic and community-impact study produced by CSUN, researchers found that from a state investment of about $164 million, the Northridge university has an impact on the local economy of up to $686 million a year.

In addition, researchers at CSUN's Center for Southern California Studies said the university, which employs 5,800 at the campus, has generated an additional 5,700 to 6,000 jobs in the services, government and retail trade sectors.

``It confirms the university's indispensability to the region,'' CSUN President Jolene Koester said. ``It helps document the case for the role of higher education and a regional, comprehensive university.''

Chancellor Charles B. Reed, head of the California State University system, said the report mirrors one that his office will release Tuesday on the statewide economic impact of all 23 CSU campuses.

The studies on economic impact come at a time when the system has been hard-hit by cuts in state funding. Officials are trying to demonstrate that investment in the campuses yields economic as well as educational benefits.

``These institutions are so undervalued,'' Reed said during a visit to CSUN on Thursday.

``These universities add value to everything they do. What we ought to be talking about is how we can add value to the CSU (campuses) so we can get an even bigger return, so we can help our communities economically, culturally and socially.''

Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, said the public doesn't generally understand how valuable universities can be to a region's economy.

``A lot of people don't quite know what to make of them,'' Kyser said. ``People don't understand the major economic impact a university has on the economy - UCLA is in the billions of dollars, but they're a major research university.''

Bruce Ackerman, president and chief executive of the Valley Economic Alliance, said CSUN's estimates are on the conservative side.

``Most people don't look at universities or community colleges as major employers, but in the case of CSUN, they are an enormous economic engine all on their own,'' Ackerman said.

Beyond its state funding, CSUN received about $27.3 million in research grants in the 2002-03 academic year, an annual figure that has doubled in the past four years. Those grants have come from institutions including the National Science Foundation, NASA, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education. The research is likely to generate new business developments.

``We focus on research that's applied, so it has practical implications in the community, especially in a lot of our social research,'' said university spokesman Ken Swisher. ``Students get experience with research, and the community benefits from the knowledge that helps address a lot of social issues.''

The report cites CSUN's nationwide impact on work-force development. CSUN officials note that the university is a national leader in the number of students who go on to earn doctorates in science, engineering, the social sciences and psychology.

``The biggest single complaint (the Economic Alliance gets) is not workers' comp, it's, I can't find enough qualified, local employees,'' Ackerman added. ``We know they can train that work force that our employers are asking for.''

The university is also among national leaders in awarding bachelor's degrees to minority students, and it is also a national leader in education of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

It produces about 1,700 teachers annually, making it a leader statewide and nationally in education.

``Beyond the impact on the economy and the work force, Cal State Northridge brings to the San Fernando Valley tremendous academic intellect, crucial social services and countless cultural opportunities, while serving thousands of first-generation college students and helping form responsible political citizens who serve their communities,'' Koester said.

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

California State University Northridge

--CSUN generates $664 million to $686 million annually for the Los Angeles economy.

--For every $1 in state funding, CSUN generates more than $4 for the local economy.

--In addition to its own workforce of 5,800 people, the university's economic activity creates an additional 5,700-6,000 jobs.

--CSUN received more than $27 millionin grants for 2003-04.

--CSUN provides a significant numbers of teachers for Los Angeles Unified and other school districts around the country.

--CSUN is a leading university for minority students and doctoral candidates.

--CSUN plays a major role in the region's arts and culture, particularly in music and electronic media.

Source: California State University, Northridge's Center for Southern California Studies

Gregg Miller/Staff Artist

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California State University Northridge (see text)