Report of the Chair

The governor's budget proposal for the California State University is good news. I know Chancellor Reed will be commenting on the proposed budget in a few moments.

Naturally, we are happy for the students that the student fee will remain constant because the governor added $54.4 million above the Compact to eliminate, or buy out, the planned student fee increase. The Trustees had recommended a fee increase to be consistent with the Compact. Nonetheless, we are very pleased with the governor's plan.

Also, beyond the Compact base, the governor supported $2.3 million to expand master's level nursing programs and $1.1 million to increase the number of K-12 math and science teachers.

With regard to nursing, I am especially pleased to note that several of the campuses are working with local health care entities to create partnerships with monetary support to expand nursing education opportunities and to develop more creative approaches to liability insurance. I personnally commend those campus that are working on creative solutions to the crisis in the field of nursing.

In the last several of months we have talked about compensation lags for our employees. As we have said at previous meetings, the trustees are committed to closing the compensation gap. Part of the recruitment and retention equation is the high cost of housing in California.

Several campuses - Channel Islands, Fullerton, Monterey Bay, San Francisco, and San Jose - have vital, on-going programs for faculty and staff housing. Plans are being made for further expansion at Fullerton and Monterey Bay and new opportunities at Northridge, Pomona, San Diego, Sonoma, and Stanislaus are being pursued.

These developments are encouraging and will help with recruitment of new faculty and staff.

Today, I want to welcome King Alexander, the new president of CSU Long Beach to his first Board meeting since arriving in California permanently in early January.

We have a new executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, Gary Reichard, joining the staff on February 10.

Norma Rees, president of CSU East Bay, was presented with the East Bay Vision Award by the Economic Development Alliance for Business in mid-January. The award is given annually to an individual or organization whose work has contributed to the advancement of the economic vitality and the quality of life in the region. She is a real champion of work force education and training in the Bay Area and very deserving of this award. Congratulations, President Rees.

That concludes my report. Chancellor Reed, now we look forward to your report.