CSSA Minutes: September 22, 2002

California State University, Fullerton
CSSA Board of Directors Meeting
September 22, 2002, 9:00 am - Noon

CALL TO ORDER 9:04 a.m., Chair Artemio Pimentel.
ROLL CALL Present: Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Hayward, Humboldt,
Long Beach, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San José, San Marcos, Sonoma, Stanislaus. San Francisco and Monterey Bay late.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA, with the changes 1) correct spelling of Fay’s last name, “Roepcke,” 2) correct spelling of “Multicultural,” 3) CHESS location changed to Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza and room charge changed to $112/night; 4) Multicultural Caucus appointed officers as opposed to electing them; 5) Policies and Procedures (Tab 4) will be an information, not an action, item. PASSED.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the August 2002 meeting, San Diego; second, Dominguez Hills. PASSED.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1. Dr.Les Pincu, Secretary, Statewide Academic Senate. (Dr. Pincu actually addressed the full Board Saturday morning, September 21, 2002, 9 am.) Dr. Pincu said his organization and CSSA have the same goal, improving the CSU. He appears here today because CSSA’s liaison to the Statewide Academic Senate wasn’t present at its first meeting of the year, and the Statewide Academic Senate wants to work closely with CSSA. Enrollment management discussed at that meeting. Dr. Pincu said the term boils down to a fancy way of talking about how to accept fewer students than are qualified to attend the CSU. Before CSU could get more dollars for over-enrollment but now there will be absolute fixed amounts and the campuses will have to eat the difference between students funded and students present. The system is over-enrolled by 7%, of which only 5% is funded. Campuses are getting creative in limiting admissions, doing things like establishing application windows of just one month. The Statewide Academic Senate is concerned that such measures not disadvantage any group of students disproportionately. Dr. Pincu concluded by stating that students can be enormously effective: witness COUGH and Title 5 changes achieved in very short order. He hopes CSSA and Statewide Academic Senate can work together on common issues this year.
2. Dr. Robert L.Palmer, Jr., CSU Fullerton Vice President, Student Affairs. Dr. Palmer brought greetings from President Gordon. CSU Fullerton is approaching 32,000 students; it has 8 colleges and offers 100 majors. It’s in the midst of a build-out program, with many projects attributable to the generosity and foresight of students. It has 2300 students on the El Toro satellite campus. Dr. Palmer believes that CSU is the best public system of higher education in the world. Even his old stomping ground, State University of New York, can’t compare. What sets CSU apart is its egalitarian philosophy. CSU is a great experiment in access and democracy. Students need to assume a role of responsibility for this great system, to work with other campus constituents and be part of the collegial community. Their role ought not be to demand but to influence. They need to be vigilant in apprehending threats like bigotry that compromise CSU’s mission.
PUBLIC FORUM

None.
NEW BUSINESS

None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Executive Committee
  1. Action Item – FY 02-03 Budget Revisions and Reallocations. Marivic reviewed Tab 3 documents and identified carry over of $175,000 from last year. She explained that even if the Board approves revisions and reallocations today, it will still have $24,000 to reallocate. Nanci Webber, Stanislaus, asked why 2 computers cost $10,000. Marivic explained the amount isn’t just for 2 computers but include their stations in the Long Beach office. Computers themselves are $1600 each; they will be bought directly from Dell, which will provide support. Nanci suggested reallocating money to printing, since we’ve used a sizable chunk of what’s budgeted and we’ve just begun this fiscal year. Jimmy Reed, Chico, asked for a list of actual expenses, 2001-2002. Susana Gonzalez said a list will be provided. Justin Jewell, Stanislaus, asked if the $10,000 more in travel will cover student committees and Lobby Corps. There will be banners and tablecloths for all dues-paying campuses. Jocelyn Brown, San Marcos, asked if head count for dues is as of Fall 2001; the response is yes, it is as of Fall 2001. Monterey Bay sought clarification of $1000 for electronic calendars, etc; Susana said that CSSA will own these. Marivic explained that anything under $5000 is categorized by the Chancellor’s Office as “supplies.” CSSA will inventory equipment less than $5000, however, even if the Chancellor’s Office doesn’t. Budget revisions/eallocations were approved by the Board.
  2. Information Item – Policies and Procedures Manual. Action will be sought to approve the manual in Chico. Marivic stated the Signature Authority Policy has been changed to require that the chair and internal vice chair approve contracts, not just the executive director. The final policy needs to have “CSSA” substituted in “Purpose” for “Associated Students, Inc.” Also, page 3, first sentence, should read “The official voice of California State University students,” not “official governing body of California State University students.”
2. Ad Hoc CHESS VIII Committee
  1. Action Item – Election of Chair. San Diego moved that the committee’s election of Ann Marie Butler as chair be approved; second, Stanislaus. PASSED. The location is now Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza. Rooms are $112/night. Laura Kerr explained that meeting rooms will be complimentary upon accrual of $5000 in catering charges—a threshold she thinks will be readily met.
  2. Action Item – Approval of Draft Ad Hoc Committee on CHESS VIII Overview Document, Long Beach; second, Stanislaus. Cindi Newbold suggested including the Alumni Council somehow in the program, beyond just an alumni reception. Cindi agreed to work with José and Jade on this. PASSED.
3. Legislative Affairs Committee.
  1. Action Item – Date and Location of Lobby Corps Clinic. After considerable discussion and a couple of failed motions, San Diego moved that the Lobby Corps Clinic be held on November 23rd in Sacramento; second, Chico. PASSED.
  2. Action Item – Adoption of Article VI, Section B, Subsections 1-7 from CSSA’s pre-May 2002 Constitution as CSSA Lobby Corps Bylaws – Moved by San Francisco to postpone this item to the October conference in Chico; second, Monterey Bay. PASSED.
  3. Action Item – Resolution Recognizing Assembly Member Simón Salinas, San Francisco; second, Monterey Bay. PASSED.
  4. Action Item – Adoption of Action Items for 2002-2003 Legislative Affairs Policy Agenda. Legislative Affair’s slate of issues are: federal financial aid and Cal Grants; oppose student fee increases; institutional aid to remain within the purview of student services; voter registration and GOTV around Props 46 and 47; and international students, federal tracking of students, Racial Privacy Act. PASSED. The budget isn’t specifically included. It was suggested CSSA have a list of perennial items. Cindi Newbold asked if Leg Affairs and University Affairs need to be in sync on their policy issues. Artemio said they do. Nanci Webber, Stanislaus, explained that the prevailing sentiment expressed in University Affairs was that increases are inevitable and that students would do better to be proactive on shaping the increase. Bruce said Leg Affairs’ stance is different because of the CPEC proposal re structuring student fees. It was agreed that the issues would be identified here and positions on them worked out later.
4. University Affairs Committee
  1. Danny reported that both action items (identification of policy agenda goals/objec-tives for the current year and adoption of a University Affairs events calendar) are postponed to the October conference in Chico. Part of the committee had to leave to attend Multicultural Caucus and while those remaining ranked issues, Danny wants everyone included in the final vote.
5. Multicultural Caucus
  1. Action Item – Multicultural Caucus Goals and Objectives 2002-2003. Humboldt moved to accept the list as 1) CSU enrollment; 2) Racial Privacy Act; 3) Multicultural Centers on campus; 4) International education/profiling of students; and 5) Diversity in education and retention. Dominguez Hills seconded. PASSED
  2. Action Item – Appointment of Officers. MCC has established “brain trusts” to work on its slate of issues. Roland Johnson-Smith is heading up 1) CSU enrollment. Scott Simpson, San Diego, is heading 2) Racial Privacy Act. 3) Multicultural Centers will be coordinated by Caitlin Gill. 4) International education/profiling is Tommy [Ishita?], San Diego. 5) Diversity in education and retention is Andre Phillips, Hayward. Stanislaus moved and Long Beach seconded approval of these appointments. PASSED.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORTS
1. Artemio Pimentel, Chair. Artemio said he has asked executives to remain 10-15 minutes after the conclusion of Board meetings to field questions. He said he has an open door policy. He reported on the executives’ meeting with Chancellor Reed on Monday before the last Board of Trustees meeting. They discussed access, the friendliness of campus presidents, and shared governance. The Chancellor talked to campus presidents about the friendliness issue. Students are asked to let Artemio know of any issues with campus presidents. Rate sheets will be done on them. Allison Jones, an assistant vice chancellor in Academic Affairs, will address the Board in Chico on October 12th regarding enrollment management. Board of Trustees Chair Debra S. Farar will speak to the Board at Fresno on Sunday, November 3rd. The executives met with Jonathan Poullard again, last Friday. Jonathan is returning to conduct an additional session, free of charge except for travel expenses, probably in December at San Francisco. Artemio thanked Marivic and Susana for all their work on the budget.
2. Marivic Tolentino, Internal Vice Chair. Marivic thanked everyone for patience on the budget and urged everyone to review the policies and procedures and suggest changes. She announced that she had invoices for campus dues with her and would distribute them today. She expressed concern that some campuses don’t want to pay. She will be calling all ASIs. Payment is due September 30.
3. José Solache, External Vice Chair. José has had a busy 3 weeks. He asked the Board to bring any concerns forward regarding campus presidents. Systemwide committee appointments will be on the Chico agenda. There is money in our budget to purchase ads in campus newspapers. Cindi suggested sending out the flyer again and this time customizing it with information about the campus ASI. COUGH’s independent action prompts the question in our minds: how do students know that we are their voice? This is a worry José will address by working on PR with the campuses and the Alumni council. The search for the next student trustee ought to be gearing up shortly. José noted that CSSA’s liaison to the Academic Senate did not attend that body’s first meeting of the new academic year.
4. Danny Vivian, Chair, University Affairs Committee. Danny submitted a written report (Tab 5). He testified at the textbooks hearing held at Pasadena City College chaired by Carol Liu, chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Bookstores, students, faculty and publishers were asked to testify (publishers did not make a showing). The high price of textbooks was discussed, as were frequent editions, forcing students to buy a book that may have only been very slightly revised. Sluggishness on the part of faculty in identifying text choices contributes to the problem, increasing shipping costs and limiting the flow of used books. The fact that faculty receive incentives to use certain texts was also discussed.
5. Bruce Wolfe, Chair, Legislative Affairs Committee. Bruce noted COUGH’s success in getting a Title 5 change approved by the Board of Trustees and the focus on enrollment. The September 7th workshop on voter registration/GOTV was successful and well attended. Some attendees will present at Chico. The student fee policy taking shape at CPEC is a big deal, with the next meeting October 11th in Sacramento. If we want strong input, we should speak now. A CPEC committee on Cal Grants delivery needs student reps; next meetings are October 1st and 16th in Sacramento.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CON’T.

Assembly Member Tony Cardenas arrived at the meeting to accept the resolution that CSSA passed at its August meeting applauding his dedication to CSU students. Assembly Member Cardenas congratulated the group for being at work on Sunday. He talked a bit about how he got to the Legislature, saying that many CSSA participants were probably better prepared for office than he was at the time. Eight years ago, when he was 31 and not involved in politics but involved in his community as a small business owner, he was approached to run. His was truly a grassroots campaign; most of his workers couldn’t even speak English. His district in the northeast San Fernando Valley had never had a representative of color. Assembly Member Cardenas is the youngest of 11 children, all of whom attended public schools and have graced the family with BAs, Master’s degrees and Ph.D’s. In his area 50% of students drop out of high school and only 4% attain a bachelor’s degree. Education is his number one issue. He wants to help the underserved community, including CSU. UC and CSU shouldn’t be treated as budgetary equals, since CSU students outnumber UC students 3 to 1 and since UC gets all many philanthropic dollars. Joe Salas asked a question about student fees and the budget long term. It’s a democratic mantra to keep fees where they are but if you ask for a 10-year plan, you’ll see them go up. Assembly Member Cardenas introduced his chief of staff, José Cornejo, who is also heading the “Yes on Prop 47” campaign. Major events are planned in October and November for Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Fresno; for more information, go to www.yesprop47.com; to volunteer, call 916/606-3900. Mr. Cornejo said working on a campaign is how most Capitol staffers get their start—it’s a great way to network, get your foot in the door. The campaign is teaching people how to vote. Many don’t know how, what is required of you when you get there, that you don’t have to show ID.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORTS, Resumed
1. Fay Roepcke. Fay distributed her report (attached) and a sheet that discusses the offensiveness of addressing a group of people as “you guys.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
(Susana’s written report appeared behind Tab 6.) Susana will attend the Northwest Student Leadership Conference in Portland November 8, 9, 10 and the Master Plan Conference in Sacramento on September 26 and 27. Others interested in attending may contact Laura Kerr, lkerr@csustudents.org, for information.
STUDENT TRUSTEES’ REPORTS
1. Erene Thomas. Erene provided a précis of the actions the Board of Trustees took at its September meeting, the capital projects it approved, its approval of Title V changes authorizing presidents to regulate outdoor smoking on their campuses. Erene noted the CSU conference on teaching reading on October 4th and the Task Force on Graduation meeting the same date in San Francisco.
2. Alex Lopez. Alex perceived a couple of challenges, having attended his first Board of Trustees meeting. The first is the culture and perception of student trustees and CSSA. He needs CSSA’s help in raising expectations there. He is excited about University Affairs policy agenda issues; he wants to be sure that the knowledge base for those issues is solid. He asks students to convey information from the campuses and he’ll try to do the same from the Chancellor’s Office. He urged everyone to read the Cornerstones document, which he says truly is the cornerstone of everything that’s going on within the CSU. He noted the retirement of 3 campus presidents at the end of the year—Manuel Esteban, Donald Gerth and Bob Suzuki—and that as of yet there is no student representation on the Trustees’ search committee. There needs to be a student trustee on each of them.
LIAISON REPORTS
1. Christy Zamani, CSU Student Relations Liaison. Christy informed the Board that student body presidents sit on all presidential search committees. She will inquire about the Trustee search committees. Also, Christy clarified that Chancellor Reed was not the one who complained about the lack of student representation on systemwide committees—Christy was. She asked that Board members in touch with old executives please get contact information for them to her or to Jade Wallis for the alum reception. Dr. Spence has asked her to begin researching the high cost of textbooks.
2. Alan Liebrecht, Chancellor’s Office Liaison. Alan congratulated Susana and Marivic for excellent work on the budget and the policies and procedures manual, which are critically important for the success of CSSA. Alan just returned from traveling to 7 conferences for high school and community college guidance counselors on the subject of admissions practices. CSU and UC are aligning the 15 unit college preparatory course requirements for high school students. Alan reported that the budget is still the most critical issue for CSU, and it will become more critical in the future. The CSU wants to avoid a situation like what happened in the early 90s, which affected the CSU for many years after. With the budget issues and continued increases in enrollment, CSU has made enrollment management a priority. This past year CSU enrollment grew by seven percent, yet we were only funded for a four percent increase. We were fortunate to receive funding in this year's state budget for another five percent increase in enrollment, but we have already used about two-three percent of that from last year's over-enrollment. To address this issue, the Board of Trustees approved a new enrollment management policy at its September meeting; it wants to continue to ensure that all qualified students are admitted. Alan also stressed the importance of representation by students on systemwide committees, some of which are already meeting.
SPECIAL OFFICER REPORTS
1. Alumni Council Liaison, Cindi Newbold. Cindi attended her first Alumni Council meeting in September in Chico. The Council has three focuses: 1) Passing Prop 47; 2) Assuring it has a voice on campus presidential search committees; and 3) the addition to Title 5 of Article 15 regarding the organization of the Alumni Council. The Council has an extremely small budget?less than $12,000 for the year. It hopes to be able to coordinate one of its 2 yearly meetings [next year] with one of CSSA’s, same date/same campus. Bruce Wolfe suggested it might be possible for an Alumni Council representative local to the campus where CSSA conferences occur attend those conferences. Cindi needs the Board’s input: what are CSSA goals for its relationship with the Alumni Council?. Her written report of the meeting is appended. The next meeting is in January at the Chancellor’s Office.
2. Environmental Affairs Officer, Dave Riesenfeld. Dave described the Green University Initiative. This is a program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The first university to sign on is George Washington University. The program is built around a set of 7 principles. EPA will give grants for implementation. Jen Minnich, Jocelyn Brown and Dave will work on this; it could be as easy as putting in “CSU” everywhere “George Washington” appears. Email Dave suggestions. He has changes to CSSA’s conference policy that would result in making our conferences environmentally friendly.
3. Financial Aid Officer, Caitlin Gill. Caitlin asks that campuses bring specific issues regarding financial aid to her attention.
4. Lobby Corps Officer, Carrie Drouin. Carrie attended the Youth Vote September 7th event and received useful information about voter registration, as well as great campaign tools. Her campus, Monterey Bay, will exceed its 350 voter registration goal. Carrie reminded everyone that October 21 is the deadline to turn in new registrations. She reminded Lobby Corps to recruit good volunteers for other roles.
5. Technology Officer, Erick Guerra. Not present.
CLOSING COMMENTS.

Roland Johnson-Smith thanked Laura for facilitating Bill Jones’ appearance on October 2nd at CSU Los Angeles.

Motion to adjourn noon, San Francisco; second, Dominguez Hills. PASSED.