President Koester
Moving forward with the search for a new president of California State University, Northridge, a committee of members of the CSU Board of Trustees will host an open forum for the campus community to discuss the process on Thursday, Oct. 27.
The forum will be hosted by the Trustees Committee for the Selection of the President from 10 a.m. to noon in the Jack and Florence Ferman Presentation Room. The trustees will be joined by the Campus Advisory Committee. This is the first and only meeting of the committee that will be open to the campus community.
“The first meeting establishes parameters for the presidential search including the role of the committees and the timeline,” said Michael Uhlenkamp, director of media relations for the CSU Chancellor’s Office. “As each search is unique, another key element of this first meeting will be for the trustees committee and the advisory committee to review the preferred attributes for the next CSUN president.”
The advisory committee is composed of the chair of Cal State Northridge’s Academic Senate, two faculty representatives selected by the campus faculty, one member of the campus support staff selected by the staff, one student selected by the duly constituted representatives of the campus student body, one member of the campus Advisory Board selected by that board, one alumnus/alumna selected by the campus Alumni Association, one vice president or academic dean from the campus, and the president of another CSU campus selected by the chancellor.
The advisory committee members are: Amanda Flavin, CSUN Associated Students, Inc. president; David Fleming ’09 Hon. D. (Law) and member of the university’s Foundation Board of Directors; Veronica Grant, CSUN University Advancement; George S. Leis ’81 (Geography) and president and CEO of Pacific Capital Bancorp of Santa Barbara; Michael Neubaurer, CSUN math faculty and director of the Liberal Studies Program; J. Michael Ortiz, president California State University, Pomona; Steven Stepanek, CSUN faculty president and senate chair; Irene Tovar ’69 (Sociology); Veda Ward, faculty in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management; and William Watkins ’74 (Urban Studies) and CSUN vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
In May, President Jolene Koester announced her plans to step down as president at the end of December. Koester began her appointment as the fourth president of CSUN on July 1, 2000. During her tenure, the university has increased retention and graduation rates while remaining accessible to qualified students and maintaining its historical commitment to diversity. In addition, the university’s reputation for academic excellence and community service has grown exponentially under her leadership, as has the level of private support.
The trustees committee determines the attributes desired for a successful candidate, approves the final campus and job descriptions, reviews and interviews candidates. Although the trustees committee is the ultimate body to make the final decision, including the advancement of the names of candidates to the full board, the trustees will consider the recommendations of the Campus Advisory Committee.
The advisory committee will provide advice and consultation regarding the position. They may also suggest potential candidates, review and comment on all candidate applications and participate in candidate interviews and deliberations that lead to the selection of the final candidate.
For more information about the presidential search and transition, visit http://www.csun.edu/presidential-transition/.
—Shanté Morgan
