Lopez Named CSU Student Trustee

Governor Gray Davis has appointed Alex Lopez, a 21-year-old business administration junior and the student body president at California State University, Fullerton, to a two-year term on the California State University’s governing body, the Board of Trustees.

“I am excited. This position entails great responsibility and presents real opportunity to affect change for the better. The CSU plays a critical role in sparking success in the lives of Californians. I have seen how the mission of the CSU has worked to realize goals and dreams that otherwise would have remained dormant.”

Alex believes by his own background—he still works in the family business, a small grocery store located in Santa Ana—will help bring to life for the trustees issues that impact CSU students, who are overwhelmingly working students with outside responsibilities. Alex is an exemplar of the success of CSU Fullerton in attracting, mentoring and retaining freshmen who are the first in their families to attend college (the campus was recently ranked 6th in the nation in conferring bachelor’s degrees on minority students in 2000 –2001, according to US Department of Education statistics).

The Board of Trustees is the highest policy-making body for the 23-campus CSU system, one of the largest systems of public higher education in the world. The board establishes policies on student fees, admissions criteria, remedial education, technology, financial aid, and numerous other areas that impact the nearly 400,000 students at all 23 CSU campuses.

Each year the California State Student Association (CSSA), the official voice of CSU students, conducts a search for the next student trustee. Students hold two seats in staggered terms on the 25-member board. Their primary responsibility is to present the positions, issues and perspectives of CSU students.

“CSSA greatly appreciates the Governor having expedited this appointment to fill the seat left vacant by Dan Cartwright, whose term ended on June 30th,” commented CSSA Chair, Artemio Pimentel. “We are delighted with the Governor’s choice. Alex Lopez is committed to higher education and will be a strong and capable representative for CSU students.”

As incoming student trustee, Alex will occupy the nonvoting seat his first year. He will become the voting representative when senior student trustee, Erene Thomas of Cal Poly Pomona, completes her term of office in June 2003.

Alex anticipates a quick and intense period of learning his new responsibilities and educating himself about priority issues. He plans to take his seat at the September meeting as a prepared member of the board.

For more information about CSSA’s search beginning this fall for the next student trustee, contact José Solache, asipresident@csudh.edu, or Joan Hemphill, jhemphill@calstate.edu.

Contact:José Solache, External Vice Chair, asipresident@csudh.edu