As CSU Profs Vote on Strike, It's Time for Sunshine on Executive Compensation

It is no wonder the faculty at our state universities are voting in overwhelming numbers to go on strike. I, like many other legislators, students, and taxpayers, share the faculty’s frustration. It is disappointing that the administration so callously risks shutting down 23 campuses, putting 23,000 faculty members out of work, and forcing 400,000 students away from the classroom.

If the Trustees can’t settle with the faculty or prevent student fee increases, they should immediately discontinue their practice of handing out excessive executive compensation packages, which cost taxpayers and students millions of dollars each year.

Student fees have increased 94 percent since 2002 while CSU execs have raked in 23 percent pay hikes. In contrast, over the past four years the faculty has only received a 3.5 percent pay raise. As a graduate of both the UC and CSU, I want to make sure our higher education systems succeed. As long as the top executives continue to receive excessive payouts, we will be unable to keep our universities affordable or attract the most qualified faculty.

On March 28, the Senate Education Committee will vote on legislation I have introduced to require action on executive compensation at the CSU and the University of California (UC) to take place in public meetings. For too long, the UC and CSU have been acting in secrecy when it comes to determining high-level salaries. SB 190 will bring much needed sunshine to these discussions, provide members of the media the democratic access they deserve, and help restore the public’s trust.

Unlike other public entities, UC and CSU have been holding closed committee meetings to act upon top executives' salaries, benefits and perks. SB 190 would clarify that both subcommittees and the full Board of Regents or Trustees must meet openly when taking action on top executives' compensation. Specifically, requiring actions on compensation proposals involving the President/Chancellor; Chancellors/Campus Presidents; Vice Presidents/Chancellors of Academic Affairs, Administration, Agriculture, Budget, Business Affairs, Health, and Human Services; Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer; General Counsel; and Trustees and Regents Secretary to occur in public session.

SB 190 will also require more time for public comment and open currently closed door advisory group meetings to the public. Some of these advisory groups develop policies affecting millions of dollars at the state’s higher education systems.

Proudly, SB 190 has already gained support from American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), California Faculty Association, California Newspaper Publishers Association, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), University of California Student Association, Council of UC Faculty Associations, Associated Students of the University, California Nurses Association, Californians Aware, and California Federation of Teachers, as well as co-authors from both Democratic and Republican legislators.

Please join us in bringing much needed transparency, accountability, and public access to our institutions of higher education by supporting SB 190 and calling on members of the Legislature to support this common sense legislation.

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Leland Yee is a member of the California State Senate Democratic Leadership team and the Assistant President pro Tem of the Senate.

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/03/as_california_s.html