Last VP Finalist Speaks at Forum

The last candidate for the position of vice president of administration and finance at CSULB, Ron Coley, spoke today in an open forum.

Coley, who is currently associate vice chancellor of business and administrative services at UC Berkeley, said he wants to come to CSULB because he is impressed with the college and he thinks the position fits his skills and interests. If selected for the position, "I expect to make a difference," he said.

Coley also talked a bit about his career in the Marine Corps, which he said taught him about leadership and depending on people.

Alexander Teaches at University by the Sea

President F. King Alexander taught a class yesterday as part of University by the Sea, an art, film, and culture festival in downtown Long Beach, an article in the Daily 49er reported.

Alexander's class was "How to Prepare and Pay for College." Other classes were taught by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal.

The festival, which was attended by people of all ages, included booths, music and tours of the Jergins Trust Tunnel, which was reopened at the festival.

To read more about University by the Sea, look at LBReport.com, LBPost, or the Press-Telegram.

Tension over HSI Grant

Some campus groups feel that the $2.5 million Hispanic Serving Grant CSULB received last year is not being properly used, an article in the Daily 49er said Thursday.

The Chicano/Latino studies program was supposed to play a major role in deciding how to spend the money, but this did not happen, according to the CHLS faculty.

Twelve CHLS faculty members wrote a letter of no confidence to President F. King Alexander after he wrote an opinion column on the subject in the Daily 49er last year.

Earlier this year CHLS Chairman Luis Arroyo met separately with Alexander and the provost to find ways to get the faculty more involved with the HSI grant.

New Vice President--Coming Soon

President F. King Alexander is expected to announce the name of the new vice president of administration and finance sometime in early November, Douglas Robinson, vice president for student services, said Tuesday.

Alexander, who has the final authority in choosing the vice president, will make the decision based in part on feedback from various constituent groups on campus. Whichever candidate he selects will also undergo a thorough background check.

The new vice president will replace William Griffith, who announced his intent to retire more than a year ago.

Finalist Stephens Speaks in Forum

Mary Stephens, the second of three finalists for the position of vice president of administration and finance, spoke Tuesday in an open forum, according to an article in the Daily 49er.

Stephens, who is currently vice president of business and finance at CSU Stanislaus, said she would do tasks at CSULB that are similar to her present job. However, she said she would have to adjust to the larger campus.

Stephens also answered a variety of audience questions on topics such as fiscal planning and internal auditing.

Finalist Malott Speaks at Forum

Stephen Malott, a candidate for the position of CSULB vice president of administration and finance, spoke Thursday in an open forum at the University Library's Karl W. E. Anatol Center, an article in the Daily 49er said.

The audience asked questions about labor relations, disaster responses, Malott's compensation philosophy and his plans if he were hired to be the new vice chancellor. Many of Malott's answers were based on his work at the University of Missouri, Rolla, where he is currently vice chancellor for administrative services.

Photo from Google Images.

VP Finalists Visiting Campus

Three finalists for the position of vice president for administration and finance at CSULB will make campus visits during the month of October, according to the CSULB Web site. During their respective visits, each candidate will participate in a campus open forum.

The three finalists are:

• Stephen Malott, vice chancellor for administrative services at the University of Missouri, Rolla

• Mary Stephens, vice president for business and finance at CSU Stanislaus

• Ron Coley, associate vice chancellor, business and administrative services at UC Berkeley

City Likely to Provide Funding for Lighting

Long Beach City Councilman Gary DeLong said yesterday that he expects the city to contribute one-third of the cost of putting street lights around CSULB's campus.

He said that City Manager Pat West is working on identifying the funding and that he is supported by a majority of the City Council in this.

"We should be able to make a firm commitment to CSULB within the next few weeks," DeLong said.

Alexander Against Loan Cap Increase

President F. King Alexander told the Associated Students Inc. Senate Wednesday that a debate is going on in Washington over whether to raise the student loan cap from $24,000 to $30,000, an article in the Daily 49er said.

Alexander emphasized the importance of keeping students out of debt and he urged the Senate to fight to keep student loan caps down.

A New York NBC news crew was there as Alexander discussed how a loan cap increase could lead to higher tuition at some institutions. He said he was glad to have the publicity.

Alexander Donating Raise Back to College

President F. King Alexander said in an email today that he is donating an amount equal to his recent raise back to CSULB.

"This is a personal choice of mine," he said. "If you believe in what we do as public educators then it is easy to contribute individually back to our campus in meaningful ways."

The funds will go to the President's Scholars, the library, the Student Success Fund, 49er athletics, and other areas of campus.

To read more about the pay raises for CSU executives, see the Sept. 19 Press-Telegram article or the Sept. 20 Daily 49er article.

Reed, Alexander Listed as "Powerful"

The Long Beach Post listed CSU Chancellor Charles Reed today as being among the "10 Most Powerful People in Long Beach."

Commenting on that article, the Press-Telegram said it would be nice to add a few more names to the list, including "CSULB President F. King Alexander, who is fighting to make education affordable locally and on the national stage."

That's a Good Question . . .

In the Press-Telegram's anonymous "Speakout" section today, someone included the following question:

If Cal State Long Beach can't afford street lighting, why did President F. King Alexander take a $40,000 raise?

Enrollment High at CSULB

Enrollment is high at CSULB this year because less students are dropping out of college, an article in the Daily 49er said today.

President F. King Alexander said he is glad more students are staying, and that he anticipates graduation rates to increase as a result of this.

Some people have complained the campus is too crowded, however, the college is working to accommodate all the students by adding extra sections of classes, Alexander said.

Alexander Working With City to Resolve Lighting Issue

President F. King Alexander said that CSULB is still working with the city to figure out how to fund the lighting around the edges of the campus, according to an updated report on LBReport.com.

He said he understood the city's dilemma in choosing how to spend the money, and he appreciated their willingness to work with the college. He is confident that the issue will be resolved.

Alexander Speaks in Support of Lighting Project

President F. King Alexander spoke at a rally today, trying to convince the Long Beach City Council to contribute to the cost of putting lights at the edges of the campus, according to LBReport.com.

The rally, called "Light Up Our Nights," came in response to the Council's recent refusal to allocate $133,000 to help place lights along Bellflower Boulevard, Atherton Street and Palo Verde Avenue. The city, CSULB and L.A. County had previously agreed to split the $400,000 cost three ways.

Other speakers at the rally, which drew a crowd of 20 to 40 people, included Police Chief Jack Pearson and City Councilman Gary DeLong.