Report of the Chair

This is my last meeting as chair and although we are going to have plenty of time to celebrate, I wanted to take an official moment to thank all of you for your support during my tenure.

It has been an honor and a privilege – especially as a proud alumnus – to serve this university system. I am humbled and grateful to be a part of such a magnificent university that has such tremendous reach and impact throughout the state – and beyond.

Thank you all for this opportunity.

It is commencement season at the California State University. I am proud to report that this spring the CSU is 100,000 graduates strong…and we are very close to hitting the 3 million alumni mark. This year’s campus commencements will honor two former CSU Board of Trustees members who made demonstrable contributions to the public system of higher education and the people of California.

Fresno State last week posthumously conferred the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Pete Mehas, recognizing his achievements, leadership, and contributions.

On Saturday, San Jose State will posthumously confer on Bill Hauck the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his personal contributions and commitment to student success, and for his years of work to improve state government.

Other noteworthy stories from our commencements include:

This year CSU Channel Islands will recognize the first graduating class of the CSU Channel Islands and Cottage Health System extended campus in Goleta, California. Seventy-two new BSN nurses will be honored during the ceremony.

As part of Humboldt State’s Centennial Celebration, the U.S. Postal Office will be offering limited edition HSU commemorative postmark and stamp at this year’s graduation.

Cal State Long Beach will have more than 9,200 graduates, making this the largest graduating class in university history.

Cal Maritime will have 212 undergraduates and 19 students receiving their master’s degrees, making this the largest graduating class in Cal Maritime’s history.

This year at CSU San Marcos 52 percent of graduates are the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The gowns worn by CSU Monterey Bay’s graduates were black but they were also “green”—they were made from recycled bottles! It takes approximately 29 bottles to make a gown.

…and there are many more amazing stories at each of our 23 campuses.

Congratulations to all of our graduates, and to the families, faculty and staff members, and community members who supported them.

I want to take this opportunity to express my support for the CSSA and their Student Involvement and Representation Fee, known as SIRF. We support their efforts to enhance institutional effectiveness and better meet the needs of the CSU students.

As the students continue to move forward, they will have the full weight of the CSU’s support behind them.

Today I am very pleased to introduce Dr. Todd Rogers, who is an assistant professor of public policy at Harvard University and an expert on parental involvement in education. His research shows that parents are a cornerstone of educational success, and we need policies that empower, inform and involve them. Todd, we are pleased to have you here with us, and we invite you to share with us some important findings from your research.

[Todd Rogers]

Thank you very much, Todd.

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