CSU Students, Demonstrators Rally Against Pay Raises

The governor, state legislators and California State University students are criticizing the system’s trustees for approving a 10 percent pay hike for two campus presidents.

The board of trustees voted Tuesday to increase the base salaries of CSU East Bay President Leroy Morishita to $303,660, and $324,500 for CSU Fullerton President Mildred Garcia. They also approved car allowances of $12,000 and housing allowances of $60,000 for each.

State Sen. Leland Yee called the amounts “shocking.” Students say that the trustees’ priorities as misplaced as school administrators face a looming state funding cut of $750 million.

To cope with the cut, the system plans to halt most spring 2013 admissions. A school official also says the administration is looking at eliminating athletics programs, limiting student loans and library acquisitions, deferring maintenance projects, continuing a hiring freeze and streamlining operations.

CSU administrators say the pay increases are necessary to attract and retain top executive talent.