CSU's computer upgrade
Re "Angry lawmakers look to rein in CSU," May 21: Despite what a legislator said at a hearing and what was reported, we know of no campuses shredding documents nor any campuses being coerced to participate in the project. The CSU was never called to verify the truth of these statements.

In addition, the auditor continues to say, and the paper continues to report, that the CSU Common Management System (CMS) costs $662 million. In fact, the new costs for implementation -- not ongoing maintenance and operation -- are within 1999 estimates.

Even if ongoing costs are added in, the CSU's figures are less than the auditor's. Nowhere does that distinction appear.

Finally, the article incorrectly states that the project is two years behind schedule. The CSU has always said that the project would take five to seven years to implement, and it was launched in mid-1999. The CMS project continues to be on schedule and within budget.

The CMS procurement process was not perfect, which is why the CSU is implementing the auditor's recommendations. This should not be translated into a misunderstanding of the clear need for CMS and its delivery of better services for our students.

- Colleen Bentley-Adler, Long Beach

Director, Public Affairs, CSU