The Board met at CSU headquarters in Long Beach.
As usual I will focus on a selection of the most significant items
on the agendas.
The Committee on Educational Policy approved a "fast-track"
proposal for the addition of a B.A. degree with a major in Chinese
Studies at the Long Beach campus with an implementation date of 2001.
The Committee received the first annual report of the CSU
Accountability Process which includes two page summaries of the
individual campus reports. In presenting the report to the board
Executive Vice Chancellor Spence reviewed the purposes of the report
and discussed the CSU's nine performance areas that are to be
reported annually. He stressed that this year's report would set a
baseline and that in discussions between the Chancellor and the
Presidents each campus would develop its goals for progress during
the ensuing academic year.
The Committee on Finance approved initial plans for a National
Training Center and Sports Complex at CSU Dominguez Hills; and a
Joint Powers Authority at CSU Stanislaus' Stockton Center. It also
heard the first presentation on the Board's budget plans for
2001-2002. Under the partnership agreement with the Governor an
additional $245 million will be requested and, in addition, the Board
may request a further $121 million for improvements in quality,
access, and K-12 academic preparation. The total increase requested
will probably be, therefore, some $366 million on a base budget for
2000-2001 of around $3.4 billion. The 4% increased partnership
funding includes expected enrollment growth; YRO implementation; a 4%
compensation increase pool for all employees; $15 million for
technology; and $5 million each for libraries and deferred
maintenance. Funding above the partnership agreement includes a
further 2% in compensation for all employees; $12 million for student
services improvement; $5 million investment in faculty and staff
housing (a first!); and $6 million in graduate student conversion,
which means calculating graduate student FTES on the basis of 12
units rather than 15 for one graduate FTES. The Board will finalize
its budget request by conference call on October 26.
The Committee on Campus Planning, Buildings and Grounds approved
minor amendments to, and reports on, capital outlay programs; annual
reports on Environmental Quality and Seismic Review; and approved
schematic plans for projects at CSU Sacramento (Regional and
Continuing Education building) and CSPU San Luis Obispo (Engineering
and Agriculture Renovation/Replacement.)
The Committee on Organization and Rules approved the proposal that
the March 20-21, 2000 Board meeting be held on the campus of CSU Long
Beach.
In addition to approving the regular Legislative Report the
Committee on Governmental Relations opposed Proposition 38 - School
Vouchers, and the Board later unanimously endorsed that position.
The annual presentation of campus advancement plans was made to
the Committee on Institutional Advancement. Each campus report now
includes a summary not only of the amounts raised, but also of the
campus' investment in development activities. (Copies of your campus'
report should be available from your Development office). Most
campuses are moving to dues-paying alumni associations, if they do
not already have them
The Committee on Audit heard reports on audit assignments and on
construction auditing in the CSU. The audit process has been greatly
improved, but is suffering from difficulty in hiring and retaining
qualified staff.
The Committee of the Whole heard the semi-annual Litigation
Report. There are between two and three hundred cases pending at any
one time. There have been noticeable increases in the percentages of
cases dealing with employment and with students during the past 5
years; in March 1996 the average payment by the CSU per case settled
was about $30,000; in March 2000 about $73,000.
The Committee on Collective Bargaining open session was attended
by Assembly Speaker Robert Herzberg who, along with other
legislators, has sent a letter to the Chancellor requesting an
analysis by the Legislative Analyst's Office of the allegations by
CFA that the results of the FMI program showed a significant gender
bias in favor of men. The CSU management retained a statistical
analyst who presented a report which contradicted CFA's. Two unions
(APC and CFA) have not reached agreements on compensation for
2000-2001. The Chancellor stated that the CSU management has
reiterated its offer to CFA of a 6% salary pool retroactive to July
1, 2000. CFA President Susan Meisenhelder addressed the Committee
taking issue with the CSU management's analysis of the FMI program,
and pointing out other areas where CFA still needs some movement by
CSU management.
When the Board of Trustees convened on Wednesday morning Chair
Gould, in his report, announced that Trustees Achtenberg, Galinson,
and Mehta were all confirmed by 30-0 votes of the State Senate.
President Asplund of the Maritime Academy will retire in Summer 2001;
trustees appointed to the Presidential Search Committee are Pesqueira
(Chair), Achtenberg, and Wang. President Evans will be retiring from
Channel Islands; trustees appointed to the search committee are
Campbell (Chair), Farar, and Foster.
In his report the Chancellor, commenting that he has been almost
exactly 3 years on the job, emphasized that he believes the mission
of the CSU is the finest in the country, and that he takes great
pride in the leadership of the Presidents and the accomplishments of
faculty, students, and staff. In addition to re-emphasizing many of
the themes discussed in the committee reports above, the Chancellor
said that he expected the review of the Master Plan for Education
proceeding in the legislature to be important for the CSU this coming
year.
In the public comment section which concludes the Board meeting
the CSU Long Beach student body president announced the first Cal
State Cares day, organized by CSU Student Body Presidents, and
tentatively set for March 23, 2001, when all CSU students will be
urged to give a day for community service.
Around ten speakers including Susan Meisenhelder, CFA President,
Mary Burgan, General Secretary of AAUP, and Denise Tanguay, from
Eastern Michigan, addressed the Board on the deficiencies of the
current FMI program, and urged its suspension. Many CSU faculty were
in attendance on Wednesday morning, and after the Board meeting held
a luncheon rally on the patio of the Chancellor's Office. |
