The Cal State Bakersfield presidential search team interviewed about 10 candidates last week who have applied to replace Tomás Arciniega, who is retiring in June.

The candidate pool, the names kept secret so far, will be pared down to five or fewer candidates by the end of this month.

"When the finalists are identified, then their names and bios will become public," said California State University Chancellor Charles Reed's spokeswoman, Clara Potes-Fellow.

Potes-Fellow said trustees will interview the finalists at a May 18-19 meeting in Long Beach, and the new president will be named within a week thereafter.

The new president will earn more than $200,000, plus generous housing and car allowances.

The selection advisory committee began meeting in January. It includes representatives from faculty, classified staff, students and the community at large. Other than the first meeting in January, the entire selection process has been secret. The CSU system trustees make the final decision.

Gary Ivey, the CSUB chapter president of the California State Employees Association, said the university is planning on building a new math and computer science building, as well as new facilities for art and humanities and the school of nursing.

"I think we're all hoping for someone who can raise a lot of money and see our school grow," Ivey said. "Everyone is looking for the same thing, a leader."

Faculty leaders have said they want a president who leaves most of the academic leadership to the provost and promotes shared governance with teachers.

Cal State Bakersfield served about 9,500 students in the 2002-03 academic year. The public university awards bachelors' and masters' degrees and has been in a nearly constant growth mode in recent years, but state budget cuts have limited enrollment projections for fall 2004.

Arciniega will retire after 21 years as president of CSUB at the end of June. He will work on special projects for the chancellor for one year at his current salary of $204,156.

This year Arciniega also received a $23,004 annual housing allowance, a $750 monthly car allowance, plus health and retirement benefits.

The president's entertainment allowance of $300 per month has been done away with since budget cuts last year, said Potes-Fellow.

Arciniega's retirement dinner is May 1 at the Seven Oaks Country Club. Tickets are $100, and proceeds go to student scholarships through the CSUB Foundation, said university spokesman Mike Stepanovich.