CSSA Minutes: November 4, 2001

California State University, Fullerton,
Titan Student Union, Legislative Chambers
CSSA Board of Directors Meeting
November 4, 2001, 9:00 am - Noon

1. CALL TO ORDER 9:15 am, Chair Robert Garcia.
   
   
2. ROLL CALL Present: Bakersfield, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach (no vote), Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento (by proxy), San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma, Stanislaus.
   
   
3. SPECIAL REPORTS
   Louis Caldera, Vice Chancellor, University Advancement. Mr. Caldera was reared in California. His was an immigrant, Spanish-speaking family, and he is a product of the state's public education system. He attended West Point and served in the Army 5 years following graduation, then got his law degree from Harvard. He was a Los Angeles Deputy County Counsel, then entered public life and served in the State Assembly, 1992-1997. He was then the #2 person at the Corporation for National Service, parent to AmeriCorps. Then, from July 1998 to the end of the Clinton Administration, he served as Secretary of the Army. In that post he worked on education issues: soldiers can now obtain their education while serving. His prior acquaintance with Dr. Reed led him to seek his present position. California is renowned for its higher education systems and was the first state to have a master plan differentiating the roles of its separate systems: research (UC), comprehensive (CSU), community college (CCC). During the recession of the early 90s, 84% of the budget was dedicated to things like highway trust funds, entitlements, K-12 education; that portion of the budget remains untouchable. The portion that is discretionary includes CSU, as well as prisons, for example. There has been a resulting disinvestment in education, as a result of which CSU has begun to seek funding from the private sector, with the goal of not being tied to State funding. University Advancement is in part Public Affairs-getting our message out, creating a brand image. Without the State University system there would be no affordable access?universities where people live. Mr. Caldera's division is working on getting alums to recognize themselves as such, getting them involved annual giving programs, then in large gifts. The approach depends upon creating a sense of community. The CSU is not producing enough baccalaureates: only 8%, when we should be at 12%. Joe Salas, Pomona, asked how students can help in fundraising; Mr. Caldera suggested phoning for the annual fund. Ron Williams, San Diego, said often fundraising goals seem removed from student interests. Mr. Caldera said student efforts vis-à-vis fundraising should be prioritized according to student interests.
   
   Rodney Rideau, CSU Systemwide Associate Budget Director. Mr. Rideau's career has always been centered on budget and politics. His background includes 5 years in Washington in an LA Congressman's office. The CSU budget process underwent significant change in 1993-94: it changed from being needs based to being revenue based. At this time the campuses assumed greater responsibility for managing their budget dollars. The CSU also operates under a partnership agreement with the state that identifies percentage increases, enrolment funding and mandatory cost needs. There is now a 4% increase, plus 1%, over last year for long-tem budget needs (like deferred maintenance). There is a formula that has been negotiated, including with UC, for enrollment increases; it is per FTE (15 units semester/quarter). Under the partnership agreement, CSU can request money for special needs (more teachers, strategic academic programs). The partnership request for 2002-2003 is [$269M including the increase?], which includes a 4% projected enrollment increase. Also requested year-round-operations money for the 6 remaining campuses to convert. The Board of Trustees has requested the increases despite the Governor's instruction that agencies look at 3, 5, 10 and 15% reduction scenarios. The Governor has not yet specified specific reductions for any agency; and CSU has only provided information on what reduction numbers would be for those scenarios. The Governor has stated education is still a priority. CSU responded that once you're past 3% cuts there will be an impact on access. 15% in cuts would be $415M, which would affect access, since if courses become unavailable, enrollment will decline. CSU has indicated all these concerns to the Dept. of Finance, but there won't be a clear budget picture until December.
   Mr. Rideau then discussed several specific issues, first among them CFA. CFA has requested 1900 tenure-track recruitments next year; CSU has offered 900 next year, 1000 the next, at $1800 in costs per recruitment (and only 75% hires for those recruitments). He said in the early 90s the majority of cuts were lecturers and observed that the figures show tenure-track faculty are regaining ground as compared with lecturers. Re deferred maintenance, Mr. Rideau explained that when regular maintenance is not done, buildings lose their projected "life spans" more rapidly and we accumulate deferred maintenance backlogs. CSU identified $351M [in 199-?] in deferred maintenance--situations posing health and safety risks. CSU has applied $17M towards lessening the backlog, but with inflation the figure is still at about $347, and last year CSU did not get its 1% from the partnership agreement. With regard to fee increases, Mr. Rideau said that in good years the State buys out fee increases; in bad years it resorts to them. In the early 90s, first there was a 10% fee increase, then 40% the next year, then 2 years of 20% increase, then a final 10% and 3 years of no increase. In response to a question from Natoya Blaylock, Los Angeles, Mr. Rideau said he's not sure if the money the Los Angeles campus was promised for conversion from the quarter to the semester system is in jeopardy. Finally, Mr. Rideau played down the expense of CSM to the campuses, saying there were existing technology funds in each campus' budget and that so far there has been no diversion of funds from other areas to pay for CMS.

   DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET
   Robert Garcia, Chair. When Robert met with the Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard West a couple of weeks ago they made it clear that while everything is on the table, nothing yet has been decided. Robert says we have 3 choices: scream and yell; be proactive in identifying where cuts should be made; or propose fee raises ourselves, specifying where dollars be spent. Ron Williams, San Diego, said we should preserve our options. He would rather have a $50 increase to fund services students need than to be denied the services. Laura Kerr noted that Legislative Affairs already voted not to support student fee increases and the full board ratified that position. Mary Lee McGough, Fresno, said the reality is that costs always rise; you have to be self-reliant in meeting that ever-rising bar. Trustee Dan Cartwright said we need to identify core principles for guidance and to formulate a plan. To meet the projected deficit, the Board of Trustees would have to increase fees by 100%. Robert said if the plan is not to raise student fees, then we need a plan, an alternative. Moved by San Bernardino to add to the agenda a motion that executives/staff be directed to negotiate the most favorable CSU budget; second, Dominguez Hills. PASSED. San Bernardino moved to amend CSSA position on student fees to directing executives/staff to negotiate the most favorable CSU budget. Second, Dominguez Hills. Trustee Dan observed it weakens CSSA's position to change its initial stance so soon; he advocates a strong initial position to the Board of Trustees. Ron agreed rescinding our motions is not good. Joe Salas, Pomona, said no student fees can be plan A, just be sure to have plans B and C. Moved by Dominguez Hills "Direct the executives/staff to negotiate the most positive budget for CSU students with fees increase being a last resort"; second, Los Angeles. FAILED. Priscilla Ocen, San Diego, advocated sticking to no increase in student fees. Laura Kerr said CFA is developing an alternative budget, so could CSSA. Emily Foster said we should develop alternatives but also to stick to our guns now. The big discussion will come in San José, when we'll have a better sense of the numbers. The main motion (directing executives/staff to negotiate the most favorable CSU budget) FAILED.

4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
   1. University Affairs. No report; no action requested.
   2. Legislative Affairs. Stanislaus moved to "oppose listing of coursework in order to protect international student privacy." Second, Humboldt. PASSED. Stanislaus moved to "oppose $95 increase for international student visas." Second, San Bernardino. PASSED.
   3. Multi Cultural Caucus. In October the board approved the education doctorate and multi cultural centers pieces of the MCC policy agenda. San Diego moved to pass the remaining 3 pieces (Cultural Representation in Higher Education, Retention and Remediation Education and Globalization of Education); second, Stanislaus. PASSED.
   4. Administrative Affairs. No report; no action requested.
      
      
5. EXECUTIVE REPORTS
   1. Robert Garcia, Chair. Thanks to Fullerton for a great conference. Focus this year is to build CSSA groundwork and organizational structure; establish the CSSA foundation; and begin an intern program. CSSA's constitution is being revised. The belief is that steady staffing, effective organizational structure and stable funding will provide the foundation for the organization to grow. Our policy agenda is not time sensitive, doesn't have to be accomplished all in one year, but is part of long-term thinking.
      
      
   2. Emily Foster, Internal Vice Chair. Emily is focusing on the hiring of an executive director and the CSSA foundation. She will soon be soliciting names for foundation board members. She has no budget update. All campuses have paid except San Luis Obispo, though she is unsure about Northridge.
      
      
   3. Christine Svendsen, External Vice Chair. Absent.
      
      
   4. Brandon Kline, Legislative Affairs Chair. Veronica Shippy, San Luis Obispo, reported for Brandon. November 7th is the extended deadline for Lobby Corps. Budget is top priority and, within that, fees. The grant proposal made by YouthVote to have Laura Kerr devote 10% of her time to that program in exchange for grant fees was defeated on an unofficial vote.
      
      
   5. Haleemon Anderson, University Affairs Chair. Members will be engaged in sending out and assessing the results of surveys related to the University Affairs policy agenda. Expect resolutions regarding retention and sustainability in December. On December 1st there will be a one-day clinic on campus pride at CSU Long Beach.
      
      
   6. Natoya Blaylock, Multi Cultural Caucus Speaker. Thanks to all who contributed to the policy agenda and please write down and forward your comments on who is an American to Natoya.

      BREAK

      ROLL CALL: Bakersfield, Chico (proxy to Sonoma), Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Fresno, Hayward, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento (proxy to Sonoma), San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco (proxy to Sonoma), San José, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma, Stanislaus.

6. POSITION ON CSU/CFA
   Stanislaus moved, "CFA accept compensation terms of CSU Administration proposal and go back to the classroom." Second, San Diego. FAILED.
   Stanislaus moved, "In light of the current budget situation, CSSA calls upon CFA to accept the terms of the compensation proposal laid out by the CSU." Second, San Diego. FAILED.
   
   Dan Cartwright advised remaining neutral, as did Mary Lee McGough, Fresno. Maribel Martinez, San José, said students shouldn't have to side with one side or the other. Laura Kerr gave the example of San Luis Obispo having taken sides on issues effecting students, like class size. Natoya Blaylock, Los Angeles, stated faculty issues are not students' issues. Joan Hemphill said the faculty/student relationship is the nexus of institutional learning; that you can't have a great university without a great faculty; and that the achievements of higher education in the State are historically linked to progressive labor relations. Ron Williams, San Diego, said staff recommendations on this issue are inappropriate, offensive.
   
   There were a few more abortive motions, including that CSSA adopt a neutral stance. Emilia Patrick, Humboldt, said either we taken no position or prepare a resolution. Ron pointed out that individual AS organizations are free to take their own positions.
   
   San Diego moved that "CSSA postpone discussion of CFA indefinitely." Second, Pomona. Dominguez Hills objected that tabling the matter will close the door, that CSSA won't ever be able to take a position. PASSED, 10-6-0. San Jose stated it would prepare a dissenting opinion.
   
   
7. CLOSING COMMENTS
   Mary Lee McGough, Fresno, commented that CSU Fresno's AS will fund 90% of the campus multi cultural center. She asked that people complete and return the surveys she distributed regarding Fresno AS budget. She thanked San José for getting her poetry on line. Maribel Martinez, San José, requested weatherproof ornaments for a tree in the park designated as CSSA's to decorate-this is part of San José's Christmas in the Park tradition. Dan Bardenhagen, Sonoma, expressed disappointment with the board's/Legislative Affairs' stance on international students in light of the acts of terror this fall and hoped the board would change its position next month. San Diego asked about the nameplates it had donated (not on display at Fullerton) and was told they're secure, have stands, will be used in future. San Bernardino presented a petition.

Motion to Adjourn, 12:13 pm, San Diego; second, Los Angeles.