At their March 20 meeting, the California State University Trustees approved 10% raises for the presidents of the Fullerton and Hayward campuses. These pay spikes come at a time when the overall CSU system budget faces a $750 million shortfall and a cap on 2013 admissions affecting 16,000 students.

The Cal State Fullerton president’s salary is now set at $324,500 in base pay. Perks include a $12,000 annual car allowance, plus free housing at the spacious El Dorado Ranch donated to CSUF by the Chapman family 25 years ago.

Professors have not received comparable raises, and students have seen classes slashed and fees increased. The Legislature itself received an 18% pay cut two years ago as well as losing state-provided cars.

Responding to public outcry, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 967, placing limits on such raises. A rare coalition including the left-leaning SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and the right-leaning Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association supported the salary limitation bill, but it died in committee.

University trustees use competitive salaries to attract top talent. At 35,000 students, Cal State Fullerton is a huge and complex operation.  However, unlike a private company, presidents are not required to operate at a profit and have near iron-clad job security. Most retire with generous pensions, based on salaries that have clearly become exorbitant relative to other employees and the state’s fiscal predicament.

My AB 2250 passed unanimously out of the Higher Education Committee yesterday afternoon, giving returning veterans in-state tuition benefits for the UC, Cal State and Community College systems.

Joint-authored by Assemblywoman Beth Gaines (R-Roseville), the bill is similar to provisions now in 14 other states. Many returning veterans literally no longer have a home state, or are stationed in a state far from where they may have grown up. This bill assures that all such veterans may pay the lower in-state tuition costs in California. With valuable skills already gained through military service, attracting such veterans here will create a long-term economic asset.

My office is sponsoring the North Orange County Job Fair, to be held tomorrow (March 29) from 9:00-2:00 at the Brea Community Center (695 E. Madison Way, just west of the Brea Mall).

Representatives from thirty employers will be present with information and job applications. The event is also sponsored by Supervisor Shawn Nelson, the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, the City of Brea, and the Chambers of Commerce of Brea, Fullerton, La Habra and Placentia. Admission is free.

Last Week’s Question: What is California’s most popular state park?
Answer: Hearst Castle.
This Week’s Question: What was the original name of San Francisco?