CSSA Minutes: July 14, 2002
California State University, Sacramento
CSSA Board of Directors Meeting
July 14, 2002, 9:00 am – noon
- CALL TO ORDER 9:20 a.m., Chair Robert Garcia.
- ROLL CALL Present: Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Fullerton,
Hayward, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge,
Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco,
San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma, Stanislaus.
- APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the June 2002 meeting, Sacramento;
second, Dominguez Hills. PASSED.
- SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
- Jackie McClain, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources. Vice Chancellor
McClain has worked in higher education human resources for
nearly 30 years in 4 different states and has served in 2
other state university administrations, the University of
Michigan and the University of Missouri. Her responsibilities
at the CSU include systemwide public safety, as well as systemwide
human resources. She commented that in her experience students
of the CSU have a much stronger voice at the system level
than students at other public universities. She said she hears
concerns posed by students discussed many times over at various
meetings, reflecting the focus the administration puts on
issues brought to its attention by CSSA. She noted that the
coming year will be a very hard one financially. There is
not yet a budget, and the CSU’s fiscal profile could
still be altered. It will also be a challenging year in terms
of policy. As regards her area, Academic Professionals of
California, which represents counselors, will be in full bargaining,
and both CFA and CSEA will have wage reopeners. Vice Chancellor
McClain stated her division does not want to see students
put in the middle vis-à-vis collective bargaining,
although she is more than willing to answer questions, provide
information. She thanked students for working with the administration
in Sacramento on the budget. This will also be a challenging
year in terms of public safety. Human Resources receives notices
from the FBI and CIA of credible threats in proximity to the
campuses; Vice Chancellor McClain and her staff are very committed
to protecting CSU students and campuses. Bruce Wolfe asked
if there are areas of union contracts that directly impact
students and, if so, could they be identified. Vice Chancellor
McClain responded that of course in a sense everything impacts
students. She gave the example of parking fees, stating that
while students face increases, the units are not willing to
accept them. Bruce then asked about CMS being used to track
students in compliance with the Patriot Act. Vice Chancellor
McClain said Human Resources is still in the process of sorting
out what the Patriot Act will require, how CSU will comply,
and how to preserve students’ privacy rights. Few campuses
are implemented with the CMS student module, and she suspects
that for many campuses compliance will involve lots of manual
labor. John Brison asked about systemwide interest in environmental
sustainability. Vice Chancellor McClain responded that the
Trustees realize that long-term savings flow from sustainable
construction and want to build future buildings to reap those
savings; on the other hand, no area of the budget will be
seeing many more dollars in the current fiscal climate, so
sustainable projects that cost more up front may be hampered.
She anticipated the Trustees will want to design long-term
savings into projects for the same dollars.
- José Solache reported the presenters for the US
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are not present to discuss their
national convention, which will take place in October in Los
Angeles.
- Jackie McClain, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources. Vice Chancellor
McClain has worked in higher education human resources for
nearly 30 years in 4 different states and has served in 2
other state university administrations, the University of
Michigan and the University of Missouri. Her responsibilities
at the CSU include systemwide public safety, as well as systemwide
human resources. She commented that in her experience students
of the CSU have a much stronger voice at the system level
than students at other public universities. She said she hears
concerns posed by students discussed many times over at various
meetings, reflecting the focus the administration puts on
issues brought to its attention by CSSA. She noted that the
coming year will be a very hard one financially. There is
not yet a budget, and the CSU’s fiscal profile could
still be altered. It will also be a challenging year in terms
of policy. As regards her area, Academic Professionals of
California, which represents counselors, will be in full bargaining,
and both CFA and CSEA will have wage reopeners. Vice Chancellor
McClain stated her division does not want to see students
put in the middle vis-à-vis collective bargaining,
although she is more than willing to answer questions, provide
information. She thanked students for working with the administration
in Sacramento on the budget. This will also be a challenging
year in terms of public safety. Human Resources receives notices
from the FBI and CIA of credible threats in proximity to the
campuses; Vice Chancellor McClain and her staff are very committed
to protecting CSU students and campuses. Bruce Wolfe asked
if there are areas of union contracts that directly impact
students and, if so, could they be identified. Vice Chancellor
McClain responded that of course in a sense everything impacts
students. She gave the example of parking fees, stating that
while students face increases, the units are not willing to
accept them. Bruce then asked about CMS being used to track
students in compliance with the Patriot Act. Vice Chancellor
McClain said Human Resources is still in the process of sorting
out what the Patriot Act will require, how CSU will comply,
and how to preserve students’ privacy rights. Few campuses
are implemented with the CMS student module, and she suspects
that for many campuses compliance will involve lots of manual
labor. John Brison asked about systemwide interest in environmental
sustainability. Vice Chancellor McClain responded that the
Trustees realize that long-term savings flow from sustainable
construction and want to build future buildings to reap those
savings; on the other hand, no area of the budget will be
seeing many more dollars in the current fiscal climate, so
sustainable projects that cost more up front may be hampered.
She anticipated the Trustees will want to design long-term
savings into projects for the same dollars.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Executive Committee. This report will be given under Old
Business.
- Legislative Affairs, Brandon Kline. Brandon reported that
the Committee elected Manual Cardoza, San Bernardino, as its
vice chair and noted that Justin Jewell of Stanislaus was
also a formidable candidate.
- University Affairs, Haleemon Anderson. The Committee elected
Jocelyn Brown, San Marcos, as vice chair. Motion to postpone
consideration of the COUGH motion until the August meeting,
Dominguez Hills; second, Stanislaus. PASSED. [A change to
Title 5 will be presented to the Board of Trustees (originating
from the Office of General Counsel) for approval at is September
meeting. The change delegates authority to the campuses to
regulate outdoor smoking.]
- Multicultural Caucus. Motion to approve the resolution
joining the national boycott of Abercrombie & Fitch, Sacramento;
second, Humboldt. PASSED. Erik Fallis stated that San Bernardino
will submit a dissenting opinion (it is attached).
- Executive Committee. This report will be given under Old
Business.
- OLD BUSINESS
- Action Item – Closed Session (pursuant to Education
Code §§ 89307(c)(1) and (e)(1), respectively, re
Approval of Executive Director’s Evaluation and Staff
Merit Compensation Increases. Administrative Affairs. Resume
Open Session, 12:40 pm. Motion to increase the executive director’s
compensation by 3 percent, Dominguez Hills; second not recorded.
7 in favor; 8 opposed; 3 abstentions. Motion FAILED. Motion
to grant no merit increase to executive director, San Bernardino;
second, Hayward. 8 in favor; 7 opposed; 3 abstentions. Motion
PASSED. Motion to approve 2 percent merit increase for Director
of University Relations, Stanislaus; second not recorded.
16 in favor; none opposed; 1 abstention. PASSED. Motion to
approve 2 percent merit increase for Director of Governmental
Relations, Sacramento; second, Stanislaus. 15 in favor; none
opposed; 3 abstentions. PASSED. Motion to consider merit compensation
increase for Executive Director in August, Sacramento; second,
San Marcos. San Bernardino stated the motion did not comply
with Roberts Rules of Order. Sacramento withdrew the motion.
- Action Item – Motion to open nominations for election
of financial aid officer, Stanislaus; second, Pomona. PASSED.
Motion to postpone to August meeting, Stanislaus; second not
recorded. FAILED. Dominguez Hills nominated and San Luis Obispo
seconded Josh Lodolo, but Jose declined. Humboldt nominated
and Hayward seconded the nomination of Caitlin Gill. Dominguez
Hills moved to close nominations, with San Francisco seconding.
PASSED. Caitlin was elected.
- Action Item – Closed Session (pursuant to Education
Code §§ 89307(c)(1) and (e)(1), respectively, re
Approval of Executive Director’s Evaluation and Staff
Merit Compensation Increases. Administrative Affairs. Resume
Open Session, 12:40 pm. Motion to increase the executive director’s
compensation by 3 percent, Dominguez Hills; second not recorded.
7 in favor; 8 opposed; 3 abstentions. Motion FAILED. Motion
to grant no merit increase to executive director, San Bernardino;
second, Hayward. 8 in favor; 7 opposed; 3 abstentions. Motion
PASSED. Motion to approve 2 percent merit increase for Director
of University Relations, Stanislaus; second not recorded.
16 in favor; none opposed; 1 abstention. PASSED. Motion to
approve 2 percent merit increase for Director of Governmental
Relations, Sacramento; second, Stanislaus. 15 in favor; none
opposed; 3 abstentions. PASSED. Motion to consider merit compensation
increase for Executive Director in August, Sacramento; second,
San Marcos. San Bernardino stated the motion did not comply
with Roberts Rules of Order. Sacramento withdrew the motion.
- NEW BUSINESS
- Selection of 2002-2003 Conference Dates and Locations.
The incoming executives would like 2 dates changed: August
to August 30-31, and September to September 13-15. Approved
by acclamation. Also, the body would like Laura Kerr to check
into hotel availability in February, with a mind to scheduling
CHESS in February. Following are the dates and the campuses
whose bids won for those dates:
August 30-31 Monterey Bay September 13-15 Fullerton October 11-13 Chico November 1-3 Fresno December 6-8 San Francisco January 24-26 San Diego February 14 – 16 CHESS, Sacramento March 7-9 Long Beach April 4-6 Sonoma May 16-19 Los Angeles June Humboldt
- Selection of 2002-2003 Conference Dates and Locations.
The incoming executives would like 2 dates changed: August
to August 30-31, and September to September 13-15. Approved
by acclamation. Also, the body would like Laura Kerr to check
into hotel availability in February, with a mind to scheduling
CHESS in February. Following are the dates and the campuses
whose bids won for those dates:
- CLOSING COMMENTS
There were many fond farewells given by departing executives and board members.
- SWEARING IN OF 2002-2003 EXECUTIVES
The new executives were duly sworn in and assumed the duties of their offices.
Adjourn 1:50 pm, Dominguez Hills; second, San Francisco. PASSED.
POLICY ON DISSENTING OPINIONS
Recognizing that the CSSA represents a diverse constituency of over 340,000 students, the California State Student Association hereby establishes this policy on dissenting opinions.
- Voting dissenting campuses may submit one Dissenting Opinion
Form at the conclusion of any vote of the Board of Directors.
- Any Dissenting Opinion Form received shall be distributed along
with the resolution/action item at hand to the distribution list
specified in the resolution. If no distribution list is specified,
it shall be distributed, along with the resolution, to all standard
parties (the Board of Trustees, Legislature, etc.).
- A Dissenting Opinion Form shall be included in each year’s
Reference Manual. This Form will include a space for:
- The name of the campus(s) requesting a Dissenting Opinion Form
- The resolution or action in question
- A brief rationale for submitting the Dissenting Opinion
- The Dissenting Opinion and reference to limited supporting
documents
- In order to provide adequate time for the Executive Committee
and staff to distribute the opinion, a campus should notify the
chair verbally of its intent to file, before the conclusion of
the conference. At the latest, staff must receive the Dissenting
Opinion Form no later than noon of the next day after the conclusion
of the conference so that it can be distributed with the resolution
in question. If a Dissenting Opinion Form is received after this
deadline, it is not guaranteed to be distributed.
- Additionally, the scope of this policy should focus only on highly divisive issues, and the Policy shall sunset after one year of being implemented.
CSSA DISSENTING OPINION FORM
- VOTING CAMPUS(S) SUBMITTING FORM:
- CSU, San Bernardino
- CSU, Stanislaus
- Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
- CSU, San Bernardino
- RESOLUTION OR ACTION ITEM IN QUESTION:
BOD July, 14, 2002 – Action Item IV.D.l
- BRIEF RATIONALE FOR SUBMITTING DISSENTING OPINION:
This Resolution is an inappropriate extension of CSSA into non-funded, non-educational issues. This resolution sets a precedent that cannot be maintained with CSSA authority or budget.
- SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS REFERENCE
CSSA Resolution Policy; CSSA Constitution; CSSA Policy Agenda 01-02
- DISSENTING OPINION
CSSA DISSENTING OPINION
BOD July 14, 2002 – Action Item IV.D.l
It is our dissenting opinion that the resolution approved on July 14, 2002 (Action Item IV.D.l) is an inappropriate extension of CSSA into non-funded, non-educational issues. The resolution sets a precedent that cannot be maintained with CSSA authority or budget. The issue taken up in the Abercrombie and Fitch (A&F) resolution, while a valid social justice concern, has found an appropriate forum in other social advocacy organizations and apology to concerned consumers. The condition that CSSA set forth in the A&F boycott resolution are socially noble but unreasonable, unenforceable and logistically impossible. Any time an organization takes up an impossible position or objective the overall credibility of the organization is decreased.
The preamble of the CSSA Constitution charges the organization to create “awareness of student needs in the CSU system”. The needs of students within the CSU system will have to redirect a large amount of time and resources from these needs. To be effective as a lobbying body for CSU Education, student retention and remedial education (Executive Order 665) and the globalization of education. While the system continues to move on these issues, deviating from set priorities has jeopardized the effectiveness of CSSA.
In accordance with the CSSA Resolution Policy, “resolutions are policy statements of CSSA and are used for lobbying in the State Legislature and the Board of Trustees”. This resolution exceeds this charge by attempting to dictate policy to the Associated Students of the CSU system. With regret, the Associated Students represented in this opinion cannot and will not abide by a resolution that is detrimental to the mission of CSSA and the cause of CSU students.