CSUN Reverses Approval of Carl’s Jr. on Campus
Students at Cal State Northridge opposed to locating a Carl’s Jr. restaurant on campus had it their way Friday when university officials reversed an earlier decision to buy the franchise.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a dead issue,” said James W. Cleary, president of the university and of the CSUN Foundation board of trustees, which voted in May to welcome the chain.
After an hourlong debate, the board voted 11 to 3 not to go forward with the plans. Opponents sided with students and some faculty members who object to the conservative political views of Carl’s Jr. founder Carl Karcher. They also questioned the concept of having independent franchises on a college campus.
But board members on both sides said they feared a vote against the chain could set a bad precedent.
“Should the university make a political test for any kind of organization it deals with? What’s the degree?” asked Ron Schaffer, a board member who ultimately voted against the restaurant.
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