Reed Retires

Chancellor Charles Reed retired on Feb. 24 from the California State University system after serving 14 years on the CSU Board of Trustees. 

According to a press release, Chancellor Reed will be remembered internationally as an "innovator," "strategic thinker" and "problem solver" while bringing in students from all socio-economic status'. 

"Our campuses have continued to flourish even in the face of budgetary challenges and tremendous growth.  Throughout my time here, the CSU has grown by more than 100,000 students, and I have been honored to sign more than a million diplomas," Reed said.  

"I take great pride in the CSU's mission to serve California's students, and I am proud to have played a role in carrying out that mission during these critical years."

He will continue to stay in his position until a replacement is appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees.

Reed was appointed by Governor Gray Davis in 1998, to serve as the top CSU administrator and as of 2011 earned $451,500. As chancellor he developed policy recommendations which he brought to the CSU Board of Trustees and when approved, were implemented. He also had the ability to give raises to lower level administrators. 

Bob Linscheid, CSU Board Chair, said, "Charlie has persevered through the worst budget crisis in the history of California, and has had to deal with deep budget cuts to the CSU.  He has a deep desire to do what is best for students.  Charlie's management of the institution is something to behold, and on behalf of the board, I would like to thank him for his unending energy and dedication to the CSU."

Reed was chancellor at Florida State University from 1985 to 1998. He studied at the George Washington University and earned a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education, a master's degree in Secondary Education and an Ed.D in Teacher Education.

Mark Yudof, University of California president, said, "The Chancellor has been an effective and reliable ally in the fight to keep alive for future generations of Californians the promise of an affordable, top quality education."

Reed will move back to Florida with his wife and plans to pursue higher education related projects. As of late, he has not been given a specific reason why he is retiring.

According to a factsheet from the Students for Quality Education, only 35 percent of the university's operating expenses went towards instruction during 2009-2010. 


To attend a CSU campus for one semester cost $1,428 in 2002 and as of the fall of 2011 the cost of a semester was $5,472, accounting for a 283 percent increase since 2002. 

Yeimi Lopez, a Sac State student and SQE member said, "To the students, Reed retiring means a victory and it means we should now have a say. We hope the board and the next chancellor will take student recommendations seriously."

CSU Press Release on Reed Retiring

Chancellor Reed Exposed, Strikers' Questions Unanswered

In the days that followed the California State University student hunger strike, a report by CBS San Francisco found the mismanagement of thousands of taxpayers dollars. The investigation discovered a catering bill to be more than $110,000 in 2011. 

"That is enough to pay tuition for 18 students for one year or to fund dozens of classes that are being canceled," wrote CBS San Francisco. 

In response to the investigation, California Senator Ted Lieu asked for Chancellor Charles Reed to resign due to his use of funds to pay for not only food and alcohol but car rides to and from the airport. 

Lieu writes in a letter to Reed and CBS2, "You publicly stated that the taxpayer money was “absolutely” well spent. If the allegation are true and you continue to maintain your position that taxpayer funds should be spent in this manner, then you need to resign." 

"At a time when you are making drastic cuts and raising tuition fees on students, spending taxpayer money to subsidize your lifestyle and those of already well-paid CSU presidents is shameful."

After seven days of drinking only liquids, three Sac State students call an end to their hunger strike on May 10 but will continue to push for their demands to be met. 


CSU hunger strikers in southern California ended the strike on May 11.

The Sac State hunger strikers felt their questions were left unanswered after the trip to Long Beach on May 5. Students for Quality Education sat down with Chancellor Charles Reed to present their demands and questions.

James Damiani, a sociology major and hunger striker said, "I feel the Chancellor doesn't adequately perform his job and he didn't have any logical responses. He said he would implement them with no real plan."

Gavin Newsom, the California Lieutenient Governor, who also is an Ex Officio CSU Trustee, was paying attention to the student hunger strike and requested a meeting with SQE members on May 11.

Newsom called the CSU student hunger strike, "A brave political statement."

On campus, hunger strikers talked with students about the issues surrounding mismanagement of CSU funds and the effects of budget cuts.


Mildred Garcia Gomez, social work major, who spoke with several students while hunger striking said," A big one students were surprised by was the housing and car allowances."

Yeimi Lopez, Sac State ethnics studies major, ended the hunger strike but said, "Our demands are at the forefront of what we're working on."




Here is a video that tells what happened after the CSU student hunger strike:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKSoarFCcFU

Sac State Students Hunger Strike for Change

Three Sacramento State students have put their lives at-risk to have a bigger hand in shaping the future of the California State University system.

James Damiani, a hunger striker and sociology major, said, "The hunger strike is very symbolic of how education is important in helping people with certain resources they may need in the future to be economically successful."

Damiani along with fellow Sacramento State hunger strikers Yeimi Lopez, ethnic studies major, and Mildred Garcia Gomez, social work major, belong to Students for a Quality Education (SQE), an organization of students in the California State University (CSU) system who organize for educational rights in public higher education. They work closely with the California Faculty Association to stop budget cuts and student fee increases.

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has agreed to meet with the hunger strikers today May, 4 at 1:00 p.m.

Student demands include a five-year moratorium on student fee increases, the elimination of all 23 campus president's housing and car allowances, reverse administrative and executive salaries to 1999 levels and expand the freedom of speech area to the entire campus.

To learn more about the hunger strikers and their demands, click on video below.