Chancellor, California State University
CSU Board of Trustees Meeting: Chancellor’s Report
Long Beach, CA
September 19, 2012
Thank you, Chair Linscheid. I want to join you in welcoming our new trustees.
Presidents
Today we will be honoring our colleagues Al Karnig, Bob Corrigan, and Bill Eisenhardt with the "President Emeritus" title. We are very grateful for their many years of service.
Also, Fresno State President John Welty and Cal State L.A. President Jim Rosser have both announced their retirements. Together, these two presidents have more than 50 years of service at the head of their respective institutions. They are both remarkable leaders and they will be greatly missed.
We will begin the search process for their replacements in November.
Ratification of Tentative Agreement
I want to say a few words about the ratification of the Tentative Agreement with the CFA.
This was an important contract. Our goal from the very beginning was to focus on quality of instruction, and what was best for students. I believe that this is the first time in my 14 years at the CSU that both quality and students have won out in the collective bargaining process.
I do regret that there have been no pay raises, but that is a different issue that stems from the state. We have to work within the parameters we are given.
Overall, I am very pleased about this ratification, and I believe this will be a good agreement.
Fee Increase
I also think that the contingency vote on a potential fee increase and other cost-cutting plans was the right decision. I think it is important to be able to give notice to students and their families about potential changes.
If we do need to increase fees, it is a very modest step up that we are proposing – just $150 per semester. The rollback would be 9.6 percent.
Again, I believe that this vote takes care of a very difficult issue in a thoughtful and reasonable way.
Chair Linscheid, that concludes my report.