Remarks by Roberta Achtenberg
Chair of the Board
CSU Board of Trustees – Chair’s Report
November 14-15, 2006
The statewide academic senate and the office of academic affairs sponsored the Campus Practices for Student Success Conference in October. Each of the 23 campuses was represented very ably by a campus delegation. The purpose of the conference was to highlight nearly 60 effective campus programs and practices that are having a positive effect on graduation rates. Attendees learned a great deal from each other and were anxious to return to campus to introduce new ideas into their practices. The campus presentations are available on a website for further dissemination of the strategies and practices. I participated in the conference as did Trustees Farar, Gowgani and Smith and Chancellor Reed, Executive Vice Chancellor Reichard and several presidents. It was a fantastic event.
Trustee George Gowgani was honored by the College of Agriculture at Cal Poly as its 2006 Honored Alumnus. Recipients of the awards from the seven colleges were recognized at the weekend-long Homecoming.
CSU Monterey Bay received the Presidential Award for Higher Education Community Service from the White House and the Corporation for National and Community Service. It was one of three such awards given in the nation in this category. Congratulations to the students and staff at Monterey Bay. In addition, eleven other CSU campuses were recognized for their community involvement.
Dr. James Lyons, president of the Dominguez Hills campus since July 1999, informed us that he plans to leave office. I am naming Debra Farar to chair the Trustees’ Selection Committee, and trustees Herb Carter, Ray Holdsworth and Glen Toney to serve on the selection committee. Chancellor Reed will work with members of the campus constituencies as named in the selection policy to appoint an advisory committee.
I am pleased to note that Proposition 1-D passed by over 56%. This measure which finances capital construction and improvements will bring $345 million to CSU in each of the next two years. The trustees, students and faculty thank everyone who helped carry this bond measure over the top.
Finally, I note with pleasure that the Trades Union and the Committee on Collective Bargaining each ratified a contract. CSUEU is taking a proposal to its membership for ratification. On behalf of the Board, I congratulate labor and management representatives.
This concludes my report.