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CSU TO SEEK LEGISLATION TO OFFER EDUCATION DOCTORATES The Trustees are seeking legislative authority to offer the education doctorate (Ed.D.). David Spence, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, said that over the past 10 years, the tremendous growth of the state’s student population and the changing complexity of its educational system have resulted in an increased need for more educators with Ed.D.s. However, the number produced annually in the state has remained constant. In fact, California produces two-thirds fewer Ed.D.s than the national average despite having the largest K-12 population in the country. "There is an unmet need in the public schools, community colleges and schools of education," said Spence. "Most other comprehensive master’s institutions in the nation like the CSU offer these degrees. We are not asking to do what the University of Califorina does. The CSU Ed.D. would be geared toward practical applications for working educators." A recent report by the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) identified the need for more individuals from underrepresented groups to earn the Ed.D.; for more access to doctoral programs for educators in rural areas; and for more opportunities for those educators working full-time. Those needs -- access and affordability -- could be well served by the CSU. Well over half of Californians live within 10 miles of a CSU compared to just 21 percent who live within 10 miles of a UC campus. In addition, CSU campuses specialize in flexible programs such as evening and weekend courses and distance courses suited for those who work full-time. The CSU is also one of the most diverse institutions in the nation and has the lowest student fee in the nation. Finally, the CSU has a long history of specializing in teacher education and preparation of school administrators. It prepares 60 percent of the state’s teachers and half of the state’s K-12 administrators and works very closely with the K-12 system. While the CSU has authorization to offer joint doctorate programs with other institutions, decades of experience have shown these programs to be woefully inadequate in addressing a need that impacts various educational levels. In fact, after 40 years, there are only four joint doctoral programs in education with the UC and two with independent universities. These programs produced only 21 degrees between 1998 and 2000. Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, who is a CSU Trustee and a UC Regent, attended the Trustees’ meeting, voiced his support, and volunteered to talk to the UC about it. "We need to think of the needs of students first. We need more doctorates in education, and the UC is not meeting that demand," said Bustamante. "CSU must become involved, and this Regent would be accepting of that. It’s the CSU who trains our teachers." The community college system will need thousands of new faculty and administrators over the next decade based on increasing enrollment and anticipated retirement rates. California’s schools of education also have a need for more Ed.D.s. For example, at the CSU, teacher education has become one of the top five discipline areas classified as "most difficult to recruit." "It is something we must do quickly. We can’t worry about stepping on toes. The UC has no logical argument against this," said Trustee Murray Galinson. "It’s part of our obligation as a public institution. If people are going to be upset because we’re doing the right thing, then so be it." "This has to prevail, and now is the time to do it," added Trustee Denny Campbell. TRUSTEES HEAR UPDATE ON TECHNOLOGY The Trustees heard an update on the Integrated Technology Strategy (ITS), which the Trustees endorsed five years ago. Since then several major technology initiatives have been launched as the plan continues to guide the CSU’s strategic use of technology to further its academic and administrative activities. The update provided an overview of the ITS and discussed major projects, including the Common Management Systems (CMS) project. CMS, the largest project of its kind ever undertaken in higher education, will improve the efficiency and quality of CSU’s administrative services by achieving a common best practices standards of administration at all 23 campuses and at the Chancellor’s Office. As part of the project, PeopleSoft human resources, finance and student services software will be installed at all CSU campuses and the Chancellor’s Office over the next five years. The first 11 campuses will begin using the human resources and finance software this year. Three campuses -- Fresno State, Sonoma State and the California Maritime Academy -- will pilot student services software next year. "The main issue is how it will affect students’ daily lives. They will have access through kiosks to grades and counseling that they now stand in line for. The project may not save a great deal of money, but it will save valuable time and will save human resources," said David Ernst, CSU assistant vice chancellor for information technology services. SAVE MART CENTER FINANCING APPROVED The Trustees approved the financing for the CSU Fresno Save Mart Center, a 15,000-18,000 seat, multi-purpose event center. It is estimated that the 48-acre facility will host one million spectators at more than 150 events, including sporting events, concerts, family shows and cultural events. Many of these events are not currently available to the central valley due to the limited size of the existing venues. The project will be financed with tax-exempt bonds through the CSU Fresno Association. Revenue sources to repay the bonds will include naming rights sponsorship, private contributions, corporate sponsorships, leasing of luxury suites, sale of premium club seats and personal seat licenses, ticket receipts, rentals, royalties, concessions, parking and other revenues received by the association in connection with the project. CSU Fresno President John Welty said the university would be negotiating with a construction company on a guaranteed maximum price and opening date. Richard West, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer, called the plan ambitious, impressive and unique. FULLERTON TO BUILD FACULTY AND STAFF HOUSING CSU Fullerton President Milton Gordon shared with the Trustees the campus proposal to help meet the critical need for affordable faculty and staff housing. Home prices in Orange County are in the least affordable 5 percent in the nation, and the university estimates that a significant number of offers for employment are declined because of the inability of the candidates to find affordable housing in the area. To help alleviate the problem, the campus is proposing to construct 86 homes off-campus for faculty and staff at considerably lower-than-market prices. The lower prices are possible due to the donation of the land from a government entity and the development of the homes by a nonprofit corporation. To finance the 18-month construction, the university will use auxiliary organization financing in an amount not to exceed $17 million. The campus will keep the Trustees informed on the progress of this proposal. BUDGET REPORT GIVEN A status report on the 2001/02 support budget was given at the meeting. The Trustees 2001/02 request was $364.3 million, and the Governor approved $291.5 million in January. Richard West, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer, gave the report, and said the amount available for the revised budget in May would be affected by the state’s energy crisis. TRUSTEES APPROVE NEW CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FOR CAL POLY SLO The Trustees approved a new campus master plan revision and final environmental impact report for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo so that the campus can expand its enrollment capacity from 15,000 full-time equivalent students to 17,500 FTES over the next 20 years. The proposal includes additional instruction space, housing facilities, applied research space and parking structures. A central feature of the plan involves creating new student housing for 3,000 additional students and development of faculty and staff housing. IN OTHER ACTION: The Trustees Approved:
The Trustees Heard:
27 March 2001
Last Updated: March 2001
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