Chancellor, California State University
CSU Board of Trustees Meeting: Chancellor’s Report
Long Beach, CA
November 6, 2013
Thank you, Vice Chair Linscheid.
Pete Mehas
I want to join Chair Linscheid in mourning the loss of our colleague Pete Mehas.
His legacy will be that of a student-focused, towering figure in the history of Fresno State and the CSU, and throughout the entire education ecosystem in the San Joaquin Valley. He will be remembered with great respect and fondness by all of us here.
Again, our heartfelt sympathies to Demi and to the rest of the Mehas family.
Presidential Search Update
We held an open forum and search committee meeting on October 28 for our Humboldt State presidential search. Thank you to Trustee Norton for chairing that search.
Our Cal State Long Beach presidential search committee will meet on December 6. Thank you to Trustee Achtenberg for chairing that search.
Both search committees will continue their work in the new year.
I also want to add, as we continue discussions about hiring and new presidents, faculty, and staff... that we will remain focused on hiring the best person for the job.
Ben Quillian Last Meeting
Once again, I want to thank and congratulate Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice Chancellor Ben Quillian for his service to the California State University. This is his last Board of Trustees meeting. Ben, we appreciate your hard work, integrity, and your many contributions to the CSU. You will be missed.
College Affordability Forum
The Obama administration has made a series of plans and proposals relating to college affordability and accountability. As they move forward with these plans, the U.S. Department of Education has pledged to hold a series of forums around the country to seek public comment.
We are very honored to have been chosen as the site of the first public forum for these college affordability and accountability plans. The forum is being held today at CSU Dominguez Hills from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
President Hagan is hosting, along with Martha Kanter, Undersecretary of Education. President Ochoa is testifying later today.
It is not a random event that the CSU was chosen first. We are a national exemplar for access, affordability, quality, and accountability, and for being a leading force in public good through public higher education. Pat Gant's comments this morning about the value of the CSU are on point.
Campus Visits
I have just three campus visits left before I finish my tour of the entire CSU system. It has been an amazing experience.
I am humbled by all of the incredible work that this university system accomplishes, every single day. And when I say system, I mean our people - the faculty, staff, students, and leadership on campus and in the Office of the Chancellor.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving later this month, I think it is important to pause and say thanks to all of our people at the CSU. From the porter to the professor, my heartfelt thanks.
This experience reaffirms my pride in being a part of the CSU. And it makes me even more determined to forge ahead as a cheerleader, advocate, and unifier for this system.
We all have a great deal to be proud of; we also have a great deal of work to do as we change the dialogue and build greater public trust in our system moving forward.
I am looking forward to a very productive 2014.
Thank you, Chair Linscheid. That concludes my remarks.