FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFrom: Martinez, Eduardo [Eduardo.Martinez@asm.ca.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 3:58 PM
Subject: MEDIA ALERT - Legislation to Reform the Governance of the California State University System Faces Critical Vote Before the Senate Education Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez (Portantino)

July 10, 2007 916-319-2044

 

*** MEDIA ALERT ***

 

Legislation to Reform the Governance of the California State University System Faces Critical Vote Before the Senate Education Committee

 

WHO: Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Chair, Assembly Higher Education Committee

Lillian Taiz, President, California Faculty Association and Professor at CSU Los Angeles

 

WHAT: AB 1413, legislation regarding CSU Governance reform, to be heard by the Senate Education Committee

 

WHEN: July 11, 2007. (Committee begins work at 8:00 a.m., but bill will likely be heard closer to 10:00 a.m.)

WHERE: John L. Burton Hearing Room (State Capitol Room 4203)

Individuals unable to attend the hearing can listen by clicking here or can watch the hearing on the California Channel’s website here.

 

 

In the past year, many press accounts have detailed California State University (CSU) policies and practices related to executive compensation. Investigative reporting revealed previously secret compensation packages that included transition pay, professorships and special benefits that are clearly excessive, especially in light of budget deficits that have plagued California in recent years.

 

AB 1413 contains the following reforms of the CSU Governance process:

 

a.. Requires the Board of Trustees to approve all executive contracts in public session, revealing all benefits, not just salary and housing as is now the practice.
a.. Requires that transition pay not exceed the executive's salary at the time of separation and must be paid only for actual work performed.
a.. Eliminates the practice of “ghost professorships” – AB 1413 requires CSU executives who are paid for professorships to actually teach if given this designation. Additionally, that compensation cannot exceed the amount a full-time professor in the CSU system would be paid for similar teaching duties.
a.. Allows ex officio members of the Board of Trustees to designate a deputy or staff person to attend and participate on their behalf to ensure these key public officials have input into the governance of CSU. (Existing law already allows ex officio members to appoint an acting representative for many state boards and commissions.)

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