On a recent Thursday, President Donald Gerth scattered stacks of paper across the floor of his office at California State University, Sacramento.

He retires in July after 19 years at the helm of CSUS. He's watched the university increase in enrollment, size and stature. But, packing already? Not yet. He's as busy as ever.

"That's how I organize the information for my meetings throughout the day," Gerth said.

After July, he won't sort through an information packet for each hour of his day, but his mode of operation will modernize.

"I plan to learn how to use that," he said, gesturing toward a flat-screen computer monitor on a paper-covered desk.

Gerth, who saw 81,000 diplomas issued during his CSUS tenure, plans to write a history of the California State University system, continue his work with international university leaders and teach political science classes.

Under his watch, $100 million in buildings, labs and other structures have been built or modernized.

He said he's learned to handle contentious issues in stride. He's had to defend the academic freedom of professors and, during the Clinton administration, he threw the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs off campus, saying the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy toward gays and lesbians violated the university's policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Gerth allowed the programs to return in 1997, when the university was faced with the prospect of losing $50 million in student aid and research funds.

Life will be simpler now, he said. Rather than travel, he and his wife plan to stay in their Sun City Roseville home.

"How do you transfer from the U.S. to Switzerland to India?" he said. "This would make it relatively easy for students and faculty to move to one university or the other and be received as an equal."

Gerth can trace his post-presidential plans to his pre-presidential interests. He said when he was an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, he spent time in Japan creating a plan to rebuild universities after World War II.

And as a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, he wrote a dissertation about the government of the University of California system. He also did background writing and research for the CSU Ma

sterplan that was established in 1960, he said.

"He didn't have any idea when he created the archive that he would be one of its principal customers 25 years later," Jones said.

Gerth said he plans to interview past presidents and draw from his experience as president for eight years at CSU Dominguez Hills, and administrative and teaching roles at CSU Chico and San Francisco State.

As a political science lecturer, he'll draw from his training as a political scientist and experience with all levels of government.

Add those goals to daily workouts, and Gerth said his wife is still concerned about his post-retirement schedule. He's known for working 12-to 14-hour days.

"My wife contends that I need some level of activity unrelated to the university to avoid being a nuisance," he said.

His wife, Beverly, has been a steadfast partner throughout his career, he said, and he looks forward to spending time with her, his two daughters and five grandchildren.

He said he's been in constant contact with the university during his years on the job, except for a train trip through Siberia more than 10 years ago.

"That will change," he said. "I'll lead a much more measured life."

Alexander Gonzalez, president of CSU San Marcos in San Diego County since 1997, will replace Gerth as president. Gerth said he knows the school will be in good hands.

He looks forward to enjoying retirement with his wife. "I've told people on campus that for theater, dance, athletics -- they'll probably see us more," he said. "We'll have more time now."