Chancellor's Report Board of Trustees
Remarks by Dr. Charles B. Reed
Chancellor, California State University
CSU Board of Trustees Meeting - Chancellor's Report
Long Beach, CA
November 15, 2006
Thank you, Chair Achtenberg.
Budget/Contract Offer
We have now approved a 2007/08 CSU budget and I think it is a good one for the year ahead. We have asked for funding above the compact, and we have made compensation a priority.
We will be working with the Governor's Office, the Finance Department, and legislative staff in the coming months to ensure that the approval process goes as smoothly as possible.
I know you have all heard from the faculty union members who are here for this board meeting.
I believe we have offered a very fair contract over the next 36 months. We have offered more money over the compact agreement. We are offering to pay 100 percent of health care cost increases.
I am proud to stand behind this offer, and I know many of you share that feeling.
Enrollment
I want to let you know that the CSU continues to be the university of choice for many, many California students.
For 2006/07, we have exceeded our enrollment projections by 1 ½ percent. Four or five of our institutions are still struggling, but many of our other institutions are having a robust year.
From our early tally of online applications received, it looks like 2007/08 is going to be another big year.
Clearly the demand is out there for high-quality, affordable higher education opportunities.
Criminal Justice
We are continuing to expand upon our outreach and impact efforts. Two weeks ago, we held a successful event at Cal State L.A. with leaders from the field of criminal justice.
We were joined by heavy hitters like Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.
All told, the event attracted more than 100 industry experts from around the state. Thank you again to President Rosser and all of his staff for hosting this event.
Next up on our list are two more "Super Sunday" events at African-American churches in February.
I also want to call your attention to the fact that the CSU system won the Outstanding Member-HACU institution award from HACU, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
We are active members of that organization and we had a major presence at their national conference in San Antonio last month.
Ralph Pesqueira
Last, I want to mention to our board members that Governor Schwarzenegger has appointed Ralph Pesqueira to serve on the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
Those of you who served with him on this board remember that he was our longtime representative to CPEC.
He is very passionate and involved in California educational issues. I know he will be a good addition to that board.
Chair Achtenberg, that concludes my remarks.