Report of the Chair

Congratulations to Trustees Jeff Bleich, Herb Carter, Carol Chandler, George Gowgani, and Melinda Guzman Moore for being recommended for confirmation by the Senate Rules Committee last week. Trustee Ray Holdsworth will meet with the Rules Committee on May 18.

This is the last meeting for student trustee Eric Guerra whose term ends on June 30. Eric, we enjoyed having you as a member of the Board, and we will recognize you for your service at the July meeting. Corey Jackson becomes the voting student trustee in July.

I would like to thank Academic Senate Chair David McNeil and the members of the Senate Executive Committee for working with us throughout the year and for responding enthusiastically and positively to the challenge from David Spence to work on the Lower Division Transfer Curriculum. On May 6, the statewide academic senate elected its new executive committee, and they will be introduced in July.

This is the last meeting for CSSA chair Manolo Platin and for the board of directors for 2004/2005. We appreciate hearing from our students over the course of the year and look forward to meeting the new board members in July. I want to thank the CSSA for hosting the reception yesterday afternoon and I compliment the CSSA for its outstanding selection of awardees. Having been a board member since the year 2000, I just have to say that it seems that Bob Maxson is recognized by the students every year.

On April 11, a number of individuals from the campuses, members of the Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Reed and his staff participated in the CSU Alumni Legislative Day in Sacramento. By many accounts, it was a successful day of advocating for the CSU.

On April 18, the CSU Chico campus organized events to celebrate the inauguration of President Paul Zingg. Trustees Achtenberg, Chandler, Guerra, Guzman Moore, Kaiser, Chancellor Reed and myself were able to attend this happy occasion.

I was fortunate in being able to attend one of the Panetta Lectures in Monterey recently. News broadcasters George Stephanopoulos and Judy Woodruff were the guest participants.

The presidential search to fill the position held by Bob Maxson at Long Beach began on April 26. It is expected that the selection process would conclude in the fall.

Yesterday in our Closed Session meeting, the Board of Trustees, acting on the recommendation of Chancellor Reed, appointed Don Kassing president of San José State University. In essence, we removed “interim” from his title. Don is making noticeable progress on many fronts at San José. His appointment has the full support of the academic senate at San José State.

Last night we recognized Presidents Marvalene Hughes and Peter Smith who are departing in June for other professional opportunities. Both of you have made significant contributions to the CSU and have achieved a great deal on your respective campuses. We also recognized Executive Vice Chancellor David Spence who will transitioning to a new post in Atlanta during the summer.

That concludes my report and I will ask Chancellor Reed to deliver his report.