New university president should be selected by trustees by the end of May.

The list has been narrowed to 10 for the position of Cal State Bakersfield president, but names won't be revealed until the candidates are narrowed to five or fewer by the end of April. Tomas Arciniega will retire in June after 21 years as president of CSUB.

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

The selection process is important as the CSUB president plays a prominent role in the community's cultural and educational development.

Appropriately, a selection advisory committee includes representatives from faculty, classified staff, students and community members.

We hope the CSU trustees, who make the final decision, will seriously consider recommendations from advisory committee members, as they represent a good cross-section of the community and campus.

Trustees will interview the finalists in Long Beach May 18-19. Potes-Fellow said the new president will be named probably by the end of May.

The new CSUB leader will face some creative challenges in an era of budget uncertainty.

The university hopes to build a new math and computer science building, as well as new facilities for art and humanities and the school of nursing.

Gary Ivey, CSUB chapter president of the California State Employees Association, told The Californian: "I think we're all hoping for someone who can raise a lot of money and see our school grow."

Arciniega has excelled in that role, but he has come under fire from some faculty members on the issue of shared governance.

Input from faculty leaders is that they want a president who leaves most of the academic leadership to the provost and promotes shared governance with teachers.

"Everyone is looking for the same thing, a leader," said Ivey.

Enrollment has increased steadily every year at CSUB. About 9,500 students were enrolled in the 2002-03 academic year but state budget cuts have limited enrollment projections for fall 2004.

Arciniega's accomplishments will be acknowledged at a retirement dinner on May 1 at the Seven Oaks Country Club. Proceeds from the $100 tickets will go to student scholarships through the CSUB Foundation.