CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI COUNCIL
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2004
3:00 - 4:00 P.M.

M I N U T E S

Members Present
Ash Hayes, San Diego State University; Nile Duppstadt, CSU Monterey Bay; Glenn Schwartz, CSU San Marcos; Larry Augusta, CSU Sacramento; Fred Najjar, San Jose State University; Dia Poole, CSU San Bernardino; Tom Hoeber, CSU Hayward; Heather Manley, CSU San Marcos; Randi Moore, CSU Los Angeles; Dick Cochran, CSU Monterey Bay; Barry Gordon, CSU Los Angeles; Pete Mathieson, Humboldt State; Gary Griswold, CSU Chico

Members Absent
Monica Pacheco, CSU Hayward; Carrie Stewart, CSU Fullerton; Janet Millar, CSU Bakersfield; John Prosk, CSU Dominguez Hills; Jami Westervelt, CSU Stanislaus

CSU, Chancellor's Office Staff Present
Karen Y. Zamarripa, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advocacy and Institutional Relations

1. Call to Order
   Tom Hoeber, Vice President and Chair of the Government Relations Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

2. Roll Call
   Chair Hoeber requested Ms. Zamarripa to note attendance of the Government Relations Committee as well as members who have requested to be members of the committee.

3. 2004 Legislator of the Year
   Chair Hoeber outlined the process in the selection of nominees for CSU Alumni Legislator of the Year awards for final action by Chancellor Reed. Ms. Zamarripa then presented two nominees for committee discussion - Assembly Members Rudy Bermúdez and Joe Simitian.
   
   Bermúdez was recommended for his active support and assistance to the CSU and his local campus, CSU Long Beach during his first term in office including budget deliberations, collective bargaining issues, and the Common Management System (CMS). Mr. Bermúdez initiated several efforts to ensure that policymakers, media and others understand the value of technological systems to improve service to students, and provide the tools the faculty and staff to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.
   
   Simitian, the Chair of the Assembly budget subcommittee overseeing education budgets was recommended by Ms. Zamarripa based on his fair, thoughtful and effective leadership in tough fiscal times. Even though the state's commitment to the CSU has been reduced due to revenue shortfalls, Simitian did everything in his power to protect CSU from more draconian reductions, considered all sides of issues raised during budget deliberations, and rejected repeated attempts by others to micromanage system operations and requests to redirect dollars for specific purposes.
   
   The committee discussed the recommendations. Committee members representing the San Jose area commended the good relationship with Simitian. Committee members expressed concern about the fact that both nominees are Democrats. Staff assured the committee that both nominees were being recognized for their specific achievements on behalf of the CSU and while it is unusual for us to recommend only representatives on one party. Over the years this has been a very bipartisan award. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to recommend these two honorees to the full Alumni Council.

4. 2004 Legislative Day Update
   Chair Hoeber requested staff provide an update on the March 22nd Legislative Days. The Committee was given an outline of the day's events including the morning Issues Briefing, Awards Luncheon, the process for the selection of the Distinguished Alumni Keynote Speaker, and the visits to the State Capitol in the afternoon. The reception normally scheduled at the close of the day has been cancelled this year; however several campus alumni associations are sponsoring an event at the Firehouse for their alumni in the area.

5. State Capitol Update
   Staff reported that the Board of Trustees had decided to sponsor two legislative proposals in 2004. The first proposal is an omnibus, technical clean-up bill that will be introduced by the Assembly Higher Education Committee. CSU will also seek the authority for its General Counsel to pursue contractors for false claims without the assistance of the state's Attorney General.
   
   Ms. Zamarripa reported on the changes in legislative leadership, the dynamics in Sacramento following the recall elections, the politics surrounding the budget and legislative process during an election year, and of course the March primary.
   
   Chair Hoeber and Ms. Zamarripa proposed that the committee recommend to the full Board re-endorsement of the K-16 education bond, Proposition 55. In addition two other initiatives were outlined for the committee - Proposition 57 and 58, the economic recovery bond and the balanced budget act. Ms. Zamarripa reported that the Board of Trustees had endorsed both given the significant impact their failure would have on the state's ability to address its fiscal crisis and the likely additional cuts to the CSU without them. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to recommend endorsement of these three measures to the full Alumni Council.

6. Affinity Programs
   The committee members were given a report on the Chancellor's Affinity Advisory Committee as well as the work of the Alumni Directors on this important matter. Ms. Zamarripa began the conversation with a report on the charge from Chancellor Reed to investigate the impact of the Information Practices Act (IPA) on CSU alumni affinity programs and campus associations, and approaches to balance the value of these programs in light of the concerns about privacy. Ms. Zamarripa clarified for the committee members that the Chancellor understood the impact the loss of these programs would have on our campuses and alumni and her intent to work with the CSUAC, its alumni directors, Trustee Fred Pierce, and others to develop a set of recommendations for Chancellor Reed by March 2004.

7. Next Meeting/Adjournment
   The committee adjourned after confirming the next meeting on March 12th at CSU Fresno.