Report of the Chair

This is our first board meeting with live video streaming so I hope we are all camera-ready.

I want to give an official welcome to our newest trustee, Douglas Faigin. Douglas has been president of City News Service since 1985. He served as press secretary for Jerry Brown's 1974 gubernatorial campaign and deputy campaign manager in Brown's reelection campaign in 1978. Welcome, Douglas.

And of course I want to formally welcome our new chancellor, Tim White. Tim officially started on December 31 and he hit the ground running. I know I speak for all of the trustees when I say that we look forward to working with him.

I know most of you heard of the passing of former Trustee Murray Galinson. Murray was an ardent supporter of the CSU and served on our board with distinction for seven years, including one term as chair. During his tenure he participated in the development of many historic initiatives such as improving graduation rates and reaching out to underserved communities. He endowed a scholarship in 2007 to provide a $6,000 annual award to the Trustee Emeritus Murray L. Galinson Scholar as part of the CSU’s Hearst Scholars. I know I speak for all of the members of this board when I say that we are grateful to Murray Galinson for his commitment and service to this university, and we extend deepest condolences to his family.

Yesterday we heard more details on the governor’s proposed budget. We are hoping that this represents the beginning of a turn-around for the CSU. We are grateful to Governor Brown for recognizing the importance of funding for higher education.

Also yesterday we heard the results of our annual report on philanthropic support. The CSU received $297 million in gift commitments in 2011/2012 despite a very difficult economy. We continue to be thankful to our many contributors for their ongoing support of the CSU.

Earlier this month I had a chance to attend a press conference to announce a partnership between San Jose State and Udacity, one of the innovators in massive open online courses (MOOCs).

One week earlier, the CSU launched the first bachelor’s degree completion program as part of Cal State Online. I know Chancellor White will say a little more about these efforts. But I want to just express my gratitude and pride in how the CSU is leading the way on these cutting-edge programs. We are using the latest technology in a way that truly allows us to meet the needs of California’s students and fulfill our mission.

Congratulations to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona for their award-winning float at the 2013 Rose Bowl parade. Their float, “Tuxedo Air” depicted adventurous penguins attempting to fly. It won the Bob Hope Humor Award for the most comical and amusing entry in the parade.

Congratulations also to San Jose State for their victory in the Military Bowl. They finished nationally ranked in the USA Today and Associated Press polls for the first time in San Jose State history. Fresno State and San Diego State also went to bowl games this year.

Also, earlier this month I had a chance to attend CSUPERB’s 25th annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium. I had the privilege of being a judge for the Early-State Biotechnology Commercialization Challenge. This is such an impressive group of students and faculty. I commend all of them for their ingenuity and innovation.

Every January, the board chair is required by our Rules of Procedure to nominate five trustees to serve on the Committee on Committees. This committee nominates the board chair, vice chair, and chairs and members of the standing committees. I nominate Bill Hauck as committee chair, and trustees Roberta Achtenberg, Debra Farar, Peter Mehas, and Lou Monville to serve on the Committee on Committees. A vote to approve the committee membership will be taken at the March meeting of this board.

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