California State University Trustees Adopt 'Recover and Reinvest' Budget for 2010-2011
Calling it a "recover and reinvest" budget, the California State University Board of Trustees has adopted a budget for 2010-2011 calling for an $884 million increase in state support from the legislature and Governor. The budget would increase the system’s General Fund support from its current reduced level of $2.3 billion to $3.2 billion.

"This is a very ambitious budget in these very challenging times," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "We are asking the state to not only restore funding of one-time cuts that were imposed for this year, but to also provide the needed revenue for mandatory costs, compensation increases, as well as fund our collective bargaining agreements for the past two years. This budget reflects the true fiscal needs of the CSU." Press Release.

Herbert Carter Assumes Chair of CSU Board of Trustees
Herbert L. Carter has become chair of the California State University Board of Trustees following the resignation of board chair Jeffrey Bleich who has been named as Ambassador to Australia by the Obama Administration. By law, Bleich, who has served on the board since 2004 and been chair since 2008, cannot hold both positions concurrently. Bleich is a partner in Munger, Tolles & Olson, and most recently served as special counsel to President Obama.

Carter has been a member of the board since 2004, and has served as vice chair since 2008.  He has been affiliated with the CSU for more than 35 years working in a variety of administrative positions, and served as acting president of CSU Dominguez Hills in 1998. In addition to his educational career work, Carter has served in many community service organizations and is widely recognized for his contributions to the community. Carter has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, and a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Southern California.

The board of trustees will select a vice chair at its meeting in January. 

California State University Gets High Marks in Latest PPIC Poll, But Continued Budget Cuts Cause For Concern
In the latest higher education poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California, Californians gave high marks to the state’s public higher education systems, but are concerned about the effect of continued state budget cuts and college affordability. The California State University was rated as excellent or good by 61 percent of those surveyed, and more than two-thirds said they view college as necessary. However, while 69 percent said they place a very high or high priority on spending for education, a majority were unwilling to raise student fees or pay higher taxes.

"The California Dream of a higher education is disappearing. We are grappling with the results of massive budget cuts and unfortunately have been faced with little choice  but to raise student fees and decrease enrollment," said California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "The PPIC poll confirms that the public values higher education, but you cannot continue to operate the largest public university system in the country and offer students a quality education when your budget gets cut by 20 percent in one year.  We have had to do all of the things that the public doesn’t want– raise fees, cut enrollment, reduce class offerings and furlough our employees." Press Release.