Report of the Chair

This board has suffered an immeasurable loss with the passing of Bill Hauck earlier this month. Bill was loyal to the California State University through-and-through, as an alumnus, as a donor, and as its current longest-serving trustee. He was an invaluable member of our Board of Trustees as he shared his leadership, foresight, and wisdom with us, year after year.

We had the gift of Bill’s presence for one last time during our last board meeting in January. Today, this room certainly feels emptier without him…yet I am comforted to know that his spirit lives on here at the CSU through the many initiatives he has spearheaded and through the scholarship fund that bears his name.

Last night our board members shared dinner with Bill’s wife Padget, and we had a chance to honor Bill and share memories of him. For those who are inclined to make a donation in Bill’s memory, Padget has directed us to the William Hauck Scholarship at his alma mater, San Jose State. You may find more information at www.calstate.edu/givetocsu.

Earlier this month Governor Brown announced the appointment of three trustees to our board.

He has reappointed Trustee Debra Farar, for which we are very grateful. Debra has served on our board since 1999, and she served as chair from 2002 to 2004. Debra, we are grateful for your service, and we are very glad to know that you will be staying with us.

He also made two new appointments, which will require Senate confirmation.

I am pleased to introduce Adam Day, who has been the assistant tribal manager for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation since 2002. He was general manager at NCG Porter Novelli from 2000 to 2002 and vice president at the Flannery Group from 1999 to 2000. He has served in staff leadership and policy positions for three San Diego County supervisors, and as defense and foreign affairs legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Pete Wilson. Welcome, Adam.

I am also pleased to welcome Lillian Kimbell-Del Bosque, who has been legal counsel and manager of Spanish Language Authors and Publisher Relations at Gardels and Associates since 2011. Previously, she served as legal counsel and business manager at the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, and as and a law clerk for the Honorable Harry Pregerson at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit in 1985. She earned her law degree from the UCLA School of Law. Welcome, Lillian.

Also today we named a new president for Humboldt State. But first, I would like to acknowledge Rollin Richmond. Rollin, you served this system with grace and passion for students and commitment and we really appreciate your service. Before I announce the name of the new president, I want to acknowledge Larry Norton for the incredible amount of work that you’ve done and your colleagues and I wish to thank you and the search committee. That new president will be Lisa A. Rossbacher, who is the current president of Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta, Georgia.

I am proud to announce that the CSU has just been awarded a $4.6 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to further its science, technology, engineering, and math STEM initiatives.
The award will provide funding for immersive educational STEM experiences beginning the summer before college and continuing through the entire first year at the CSU.

From April 2014 to February 2017, at least eight CSU campuses will integrate and scale up intensive summer-through-first-year-programs. These experiences will actively engage students in STEM through hands-on projects that are effective at reaching students who are from underrepresented backgrounds, eligible for federal financial aid or the first in their families to attend college.

Congratulations also to San Francisco State, which just last week celebrated its 115th birthday. San Francisco State was founded in 1899. In honor of the event, the campus celebrated by giving away 1,899 tacos.

Congratulations to Cal State L.A., which has just opened its new Television, Film, and Media Center. It is a cutting-edge facility that includes a a 2,300 sq. ft. sound stage and 3-D motion capture studio, state-of-the-art digital audio recording and mixing rooms, projection and screening rooms, and computer lab.

And last but not least, congratulations to Cal Maritime, which achieved a “four-peat” −winning the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup for the fourth year in a row. This invitational intercollegiate regatta pits 10 teams from across the country racing against each other in Catalina 37s.

That concludes my report. It is now time for the Chancellor’s Report.