Our Conference

In the early 2000's budget analysts were invited to the Social Science Statewide Deans’ Conference. The conference allowed analysts to meet for two hours, however, it quickly became apparent two hours was not long enough. That is when ARC founder, Robin Pollock approached her dean explaining the need for something more. As she recalls, he said, “Well you’re a meeting planner. Why don’t you go out and build your own darned conference?" So she did, and that is how ARC was born.

Want to know more, read the founder's letter.

Our History

The first official ARC convened in 2002 at Sac State with 20 budget and personnel analysts from 13 campuses. Word about the conference spread throughout the system and ARC gained in popularity. It also gained recognition amongst VPs and AVPs throughout the system. So much so, that when the great recession of 2010 brought furloughs, layoffs, and the threat of campuses closing, administrators encouraged and supported a virtual conference. At the time, a virtual conference was unheard of, but ARC continued to be successful. Little did those pioneers know 11 years later we’d do it again during COVID!

The economy recovered and ARC continuted to gain attendees. In 2012, ARC nearly filled the rooms at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura. Selling out a hotel quickly became a goal of board members, who realized that goal in 2017 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. For the first time, all available rooms at a conference site were booked by ARC attendees, and Robin scrambled to sign agreements at neighboring hotels for overflow. 2019 was another milestone for ARC as we surpassed 400 attendees!

COVID-19 shut down the world in 2020, causing the Chancellor's Office to stop all travel, ultimately cancelling the conference that year. Travel was extremely limited in 2021, making an in-person conference unlikely, but the board knew two years could not go by without a conference. Tapping into ARC's roots of flexibility, a virtual conference once again brought professional development and networking to the staff of the CSU. Peaking from behind the COVID curtain, the board planned the 2022 conference, not knowing if budgets would support it. Turns out, the 20th annivesary of ARC brought more than 350 CSU staff together once again to network in person and grow in their positions.

2024 was a record breaking year for ARC. For the first time in the history of the confernce, there were over 400 registrants. All of our 2024 attendees helped raise $3,000 through the gift basket raffle, which benefited the Palm Springs Animal Shelter!

Our Future

ARC will continue to grow representing the interests of the attendees. Surveys are the backbone of ARC because they give the Board of Directors insight into what attendees feel is important. The board builds on those ideas, finding speakers throughout the CSU to address the topics. ARC is built on not what the board thinks is important, but what YOU feel is important. Please continue to share your thoughts through our surveys to help shape the breakout sessions address the most pressing issues in the CSU.

Board of Directors

Who are the board of directors? We are members of the CSU at various campuses who want to ensure a professional development opportunity exists for members, particularly staff, of the system.

Our Conference

Our History

Our Future

Board of Directors

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