Your editorial regarding the retirement of Cal State President Tomas Arciniega properly praises him for 20 years of accomplishment. Largely due to his strong leadership, enrollment grew from 3,400 students in 1983 to nearly 7,800 in 2002, and is headed for 10,000 students.

CSUB has become the most important educational institution in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

Arciniega moved it from a small liberal arts college to a university more suited to meet the needs of our area. Under Arciniega's leadership, the plant has expanded to the five-story Walter Stiern Library, the 4,000-seat Icardo Activity Center, the Student Union and a large business development center.

I took part in President Arciniega's selection. I was convinced then, as now, that he was the best man for the job. Arciniega had been a successful Provost at Fresno State, one of the largest universities in the Cal State system.

The other candidate, John Beljan, was a medical doctor with a position as dean at Wright State, a small college in Ohio. He had no significant administrative experience and knew little about the Cal State system. I believe that if Beljan had been selected, CSUB would have remained a small liberal arts college with far less influence and ability to serve our needs.

Some older members of the faculty have resisted change, but the result has been of great value to our community.

Your editorial urges Chancellor Charles B. Reed to include local input in his search for a new president. It is the Board of Trustees of the California State University system that chooses each campus president.

The Trustees Committee for the Selection of a President is directed to obtain input from an advisory committee consisting of representatives of the Academic Senate and faculty, a student, a member of the Campus Advisory Board, an alumnus and a vice president or academic dean.

It is the five Trustees who conduct the search and "constitute the only voting members of the Presidential Nominating Process to the Board." The local advisory committee "will suggest potential candidates ... comment on candidate applications, participate in candidate interviews, and offer comments as appropriate."

This is exactly the process that was followed when Arciniega was selected.

In quoting a couple of unidentified local members of the advisory committee who apparently favored the selection of Beljan, your editorial greatly exaggerated the opposition to the appointment of Arciniega and does both him and the Cal State University system an injustice.

Sadly, some of the opposition may have been predicated upon bigotry toward having a president who is Hispanic. In fact, one of Arciniega's greatest strengths has been his ability to reach our large and ever-growing Hispanic community.

Arciniega was the best man for the job. He was chosen properly in accordance with the rules. His 20 years as president have been hugely successful. He deserves our appreciation and thanks.

We would be fortunate to have the next president match his accomplishments.

Milt Younger is a civil attorney in Bakersfield