Cal State Long Beach Provost Must Resign

John Beljan has been forced to resign his position as provost of Cal State Long Beach because he has accepted the interim presidency of Northrop University in Los Angeles.

Beljan said he had hoped that he could work part-time as second in command at the Long Beach campus, especially since he had previously announced that he would be retiring there at the end of this school year. However, Cal State system officials said rules forbid him holding such a high level post while leading another school.

“I am clearly disappointed,” said Beljan, who insists that there would be no conflict of interest in holding the two administrative jobs. However, he will remain in a part-time faculty position at Cal State Long Beach for another 20 months or so, until he is vested in the pension plan.

Beljan will be leading Northrop in its efforts to keep its accreditation. The school has been hit with allegations of ethical and financial improprieties in a master’s program there. Northrop’s previous president, B. J. Shell, retired last month because of the controversy surrounding that program.