Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, as one of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law provides for the membership of the Trustees of the California State University to include 5 specified ex officio members, 16 appointive members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, one representative of the alumni associations, 2 student members appointed by the Governor, and a faculty member appointed by the Governor.

This bill would require the members of the board to be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the California State University, and would specify that members of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and that the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include, among others, disabled persons and veterans. The bill would also provide that each member of the board should bring their own best thinking and personal views to the boards discussion, as specified.

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, as one of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law provides for the membership of the Trustees of the California State University to include 5 specified ex officio members, 16 appointive members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, one representative of the alumni associations, 2 student members appointed by the Governor, and a faculty member appointed by the Governor.

This bill would require the members of the board to be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the California State University, and would specify that members of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and that the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include, among others, disabled persons and veterans. The bill would also provide that each member of the board should bring their own best thinking and personal views to the boards discussion, as specified.

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, as one of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law provides for the membership of the Trustees of the California State University to include 5 specified ex officio members, 16 appointive members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, one representative of the alumni associations, 2 student members appointed by the Governor, and a faculty member appointed by the Governor.

This bill would require the members of the board to be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the California State University, and would specify that members of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and that the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include, among others, disabled persons and veterans. The bill would also provide that each member of the board should bring their own best thinking and personal views to the boards discussion, as specified.

 CONSENT  

Bill No: AB 2275

Author: Mike Fong (D), et al.

Introduced: 2/8/24

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/5/24

AYES: Newman, Jones, Cortese, Glazer, Gonzalez, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/25/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Trustees of the California State University: appointees

SOURCE: California Faculty Association

DIGEST:

This bill requires members of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees to be selected from outstanding lay citizens who have a strong interest in CSU, and to the greatest extent possible, be inclusive and representative of the demographic diversity of California.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CSU system, comprised of 23 campuses, and bestows upon the CSU Trustees, through the Board of Trustees, the power, duties, and functions with respect to the management, administration, and control of the CSU system. (Education Code (EC) § 66600, § 66606, and § 89000 et. seq.)
   
2. Establishes the membership of the Board of Trustees to include 25 voting members as follows:
   
   1. Five ex officio members:
      
      1. The Governor.
         
      2. The Lieutenant Governor.
         
      3. The Superintendent of Public Instruction.
         
      4. The Speaker of the Assembly.
         
      5. The Chancellor of the CSU.
         
   2. A representative of the alumni associations of the CSU, selected for a two-year term by the CSU alumni council.
      
   3. Sixteen appointive members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by two-thirds of the membership of the Senate.
      
   4. Two students from the CSU, who shall have at least sophomore year standing at the institutions they attend, and who remain in good standing as students during their respective terms.
      
   5. A faculty member from the CSU, who shall be tenured at the CSU campus at which the faculty member teaches. (EC § 66602)

This bill:

1. Requires that members of the CSU Board of Trustees be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the CSU.
   
2. Provides that members of the Board of Trustees, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and the Board of Trustees should reflect diversity of race and gender, and should include, among others, disabled persons and veterans.
   
3. Provides that, in furtherance of the mission of the CSU, a member of the Board of Trustees should embrace the basic role and responsibility to bring their own best thinking and personal views to the discussion, determining their own position on each issue rather than being bound to represent or advocate for the positions of a particular organization or constituency.

Comments

1. Need for this bill. According to the author, “As a former trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, I understand the role of a governing board in overseeing higher education institutions and the importance of fostering an environment where all students can succeed. AB 2275 will ensure that representation and diversity, in all forms, are considered in the appointment of members to the CSU Board of Trustees. This will not only reaffirm the importance of our state’s diversity, but also ensure that the perspectives and lived experiences of CSU students are represented at the highest level.”
   
2. Parity. Existing law already requires the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the University of California Board of Regents to be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California. The CSU does not have a similar requirement in law; this bill provides parity.
   

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 2070 (Cervantes, 2024) would expand the membership of the CSU Board of Trustees to include a second faculty member. AB 2070 is on the inactive file on the Assembly Floor.

AB 2516 (Santiago, 2024) would expand the Board of Trustees to include a bargaining unit representative. AB 2516 is on the inactive file on the Assembly Floor.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/17/24)

California Faculty Association (source)

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/17/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/25/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Boerner, Megan Dahle, Gallagher, Hart, Mathis

Prepared by: Lynn Lorber / ED. / (916) 651-4105

6/18/24 10:49:54

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Josh Newman, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: June 5, 2024

Subject: .

SUMMARY

This bill requires members of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees to be selected from outstanding lay citizens who have a strong interest in CSU, and to the greatest extent possible, be inclusive and representative of the demographic diversity of California.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CSU system, comprised of 23 campuses, and bestows upon the CSU Trustees, through the Board of Trustees, the power, duties, and functions with respect to the management, administration, and control of the CSU system. (Education Code (EC) § 66600, § 66606, and § 89000 et. seq.)
   
2. Establishes the membership of the Board of Trustees to include 25 voting members as follows:
   
   1. Five ex officio members:
      
      1. The Governor.
         
      2. The Lieutenant Governor.
         
      3. The Superintendent of Public Instruction.
         
      4. The Speaker of the Assembly.
         
      5. The Chancellor of the CSU.
         
   2. A representative of the alumni associations of the CSU, selected for a two-year term by the CSU alumni council.
      
   3. Sixteen appointive members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by two-thirds of the membership of the Senate.
      
   4. Two students from the CSU, who shall have at least sophomore year standing at the institutions they attend, and who remain in good standing as students during their respective terms.
      
   5. A faculty member from the CSU, who shall be tenured at the CSU campus at which the faculty member teaches. (EC § 66602)

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Requires that members of the CSU Board of Trustees be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the CSU.
   
2. Provides that members of the Board of Trustees, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and the Board of Trustees should reflect diversity of race and gender, and should include, among others, disabled persons and veterans.
   
3. Provides that, in furtherance of the mission of the CSU, a member of the Board of Trustees should embrace the basic role and responsibility to bring their own best thinking and personal views to the discussion, determining their own position on each issue rather than being bound to represent or advocate for the positions of a particular organization or constituency.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for this bill. According to the author, “As a former trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, I understand the role of a governing board in overseeing higher education institutions and the importance of fostering an environment where all students can succeed. AB 2275 will ensure that representation and diversity, in all forms, are considered in the appointment of members to the CSU Board of Trustees. This will not only reaffirm the importance of our state’s diversity, but also ensure that the perspectives and lived experiences of CSU students are represented at the highest level.”
   
2. Parity. Existing law already requires the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the University of California Board of Regents to be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California. The CSU does not have a similar requirement in law; this bill provides parity.
   
3. Fiscal impact. According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis, this bill would not have a fiscal impact.
   
4. Related legislation.
   
   AB 2070 (Cervantes) expands the membership of the CSU Board of Trustees to include a second faculty member. AB 2070 is on the inactive file on the Assembly Floor.
   
   AB 2516 (Santiago, 2024) expands the Board of Trustees to include a bargaining unit representative. AB 2516 is on the inactive file on the Assembly Floor.

SUPPORT

California Faculty Association (sponsor)

OPPOSITION

None received

-- END --

Date of Hearing: April 17, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2275

Author:(Mike Fong) – As Introduced Ver:February 8, 2024

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires that members of the California State University (CSU) board of trustees, to the greatest extent possible, be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, among other requirements. The bill also states that the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include disabled persons and veterans.

FISCAL EFFECT:

No fiscal impact.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. The CSU board of trustees oversees the CSU. The board of trustees holds the authority to adopt regulations and policies pertaining to the overall operations of the CSU, including educational policy decisions, budgeting, and campus planning. The board consists of 25 voting members. Of these, 16 members are members of the public who are appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by two-thirds of the membership of the state Senate. The remainder of trustees are comprised of five ex-officio members, a representative of the CSU alumni association, two students, and one tenured faculty member.
2. Related Legislation. AB 2070 (Cervantes) requires the CSU board of trustees to include an additional faculty member appointed by the Governor. The bill is pending in this committee.

AB 2516 (Santiago) adds a bargaining unit representative selected for a two-year term by the California State University Labor Council to the CSU board of trustees. The bill is pending in this committee.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 2, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2275 (

Author:Mike Fong) – As Introduced Ver:February 8, 2024

SUBJECT: Trustees of the California State University: appointees

SUMMARY: Require the members of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees (BOT) selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the CSU, and would specify that members of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and that the BOT should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include, among others, disabled persons and veterans. The bill would also provide that each member of the board should bring their own best thinking and personal views to the BOT discussion, as specified.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CSU system, comprised of 23 campuses, and bestows upon the CSU Trustees, through the BOT, the power, duties, and functions with respect to the management, administration, and control of the CSU system (Education Code (EDC) Sections 66606 and 89000 et. seq.).
2. Establishes the membership of the BOT to include 25 voting members as follows:
   1. Five ex-officio members including the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the person named by the trustees to serve as the Chancellor of the CSU;
   2. A representative of the CSU alumni associations, who is appointed to serve a two-year term by the alumni council and is not employed by the California State University while on the board;
   3. Sixteen members of the public, who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by two-thirds of the California State Senate for an eight-year term;
   4. Two students, who are at least sophomores and attend a campus of the CSU, are appointed by the Governor from a list of two to five names provided by the California State Student Association (CSSA); and,
      1. One student representative is appointed for a two-year term beginning on July 1 of an even number year and ending on June 30 two years later. The second student representative is appointed to a two-year term beginning on July 1 of an odd number year and ending on June 30 two years later; and,
      2. Students appointed will have their tuition fee waived for the duration of their term of office on the BOT.
   5. One tenured faculty member from the CSU is appointed by the Governor to serve on the board for two years. The Governor selects the faculty member from a list of names provided by the systemwide Academic Senate of the CSU.
      1. The faculty member is not permitted to participate on any subcommittee of the BOT which is responsible for collective bargaining negotiations; and,
      2. The appointed faculty member will begin their two year term on July 1 and if the Governor has not appointed a successor by the end of the term, the faculty member may remain on the BOT for one additional year or until the Governor appoints a successor; whichever occurs first (EDC Section 66602).
3. Establishes the Board of Governors (BOG) of the California Community Colleges (CCC) and specifies that members of the board will be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the CCC, and that embers of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and should include, among others, disabled persons and veterans.
   1. In furtherance of the mission of the CCC, a member of the board should embrace the basic role and responsibility of a member of the board to bring his or her own best thinking and personal views to the board’s discussion, determining his or her own position on each issue rather than being bound to represent or advocate for the positions of a particular organization or constituency. (EDC Sections 71000 and 71002)
4. Specifies that the Regents of the University of California (UC) will be comprised of able persons broadly reflective of the economic, cultural, and social diversity of the State, including ethnic minorities and women. However, it is not intended that formulas or specific ratios be applied in the selection of regents. (Constitution of the State of California, Article IX, Section 9(d))

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Purpose. According to the author, “as a former trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, I understand the role of a governing board in overseeing higher education institutions and the importance of fostering an environment where all students can succeed. AB 2275 will ensure that representation and diversity, in all forms, is considered in the appointment of members to the CSU Board of Trustees. This will not only reaffirm the importance of our state’s diversity, but also ensure that the perspectives and lived experiences of CSU students are represented at the highest level.”

California State University and the Board of Trustees. Originally established in 1875, as a college for teachers in San Francisco, the CSU has since expanded to include 23 campuses who enroll over 450,000 students. The CSU provides nearly half of the bachelor degrees in the state and has an alumni base of over three million students and counting. To oversee the nation’s largest four year public university, the State established the BOT.

The BOT is endowed with the authority to adopt regulations and policies pertaining to the overall operations of the CSU including educational policy decisions, budgeting, and campus planning. The membership of the board is comprised of 25 members each with term limits and voting privileges, who are selected and appointed through various manners.

CCC and UC statements. As noted in the “existing law” section, the CCC BOG is statutorily required, and the Regents of the UC are constitutionally required, to be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California. The CSU does not have a similar requirement in code.

The CCC’s requirement was codified in AB 1572 (Holden, Chapter 496, Statutes of 2014). At the time, the law specified only that individuals be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of the public community colleges.

The decision was made that the requirements be expanded to include consideration of appointments to the BOG that, to the greatest extent possible, attempts to provide for a diverse BOG that is representative of as many of the unique demographic groups of persons found in California, including but not limited to: disabled persons, veterans, racial and gender. In addition, language was included clarifying that all appointments embrace the basic role and responsibility of a member of the BOG to bring their own best thinking and personal views to the Board’s discussion, determining their own positions on the issues rather than being bound to represent or advocate the positions of a particular organization or constituency.

Committee staff notes that the statement proposed in AB 2275 (Mike Fong) is essentially identical to the CCC’s statement codified in AB 1557 (Holden).

Arguments in support. The California Faculty Association (CFA) supports that AB 2275 (Mike Fong), “…emphasizes that the Board should, to the greatest extent possible, be inclusive and representative of the diverse demographic groups found across California. This includes an imperative for the Board to reflect a variety of races, genders, as well as include disabled persons and veterans. The California Faculty Association believes that the strength of our educational institutions lies in their diversity and inclusivity. The proposed changes encapsulated in AB 2275 align with our vision for a university system that mirrors the rich diversity of our state. By ensuring that the Board of Trustees comprises individuals from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences, we can foster a more inclusive environment that better serves the varied needs of our students, faculty, and communities.”

“Furthermore, the bill's directive for Board members to bring their unique perspectives and independent thought to discussions, rather than representing the narrow interests of specific groups, reinforces the importance of individual accountability and integrity in our university governance”

Prior legislation. AB 1557 (Holden), Chapter 496, Statutes of 2014, specifies that members of the CCC BOG should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups in the state.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Faculty Association

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Kevin J. Powers / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960