Editorial Wrong About CSUN Faculty Role

* I write to express my concern that the editorial titled “Rebuilding a Sense of Collegiality at CSUN” (May 9) conveys the impression that the university community, particularly the faculty, is not supportive of efforts to open up and address CSUN’s budget structure and process.

It is well-documented that some of the issues in the editorial are among those that have been actively pursued by faculty for quite some time, including establishing an open budget process, establishing task forces to work on budget issues, involving faculty in the budget development process and departing from horizontal “across the board” reductions.

These issues predate President Blenda Wilson’s appointment. The faculty perception that she would address these issues and her reputation for open, participative and informed fiscal management were contributing factors in the support for her selection as CSUN’s president.

The editorial superficially addresses the necessarily awkward position of the faculty union in the budget process, inferring obstructionism.

Informed members of the university community are aware that obstructions to open and participative fiscal management have for many years come from within, and continue to come from within, the administrative ranks of the institution. Faculty have vigorously opposed and continue to vigorously oppose these obstructions.

Yes, faculty have been concerned, and remain concerned, about potential reductions in tenured and probationary faculty. The reputations of universities that engage in such actions are seriously damaged and impair the ability of those institutions to hire strong and qualified faculty for the future.

However, faculty are also concerned about the welfare of their staff colleagues and their students. Were the editors to examine the situation carefully, they would find that numerous faculty have been making and are continuing to make serious and meaningful personal contributions and sacrifices in an effort to help salvage the livelihoods and careers of their staff and faculty colleagues and the instruction and advisement of their students.

I have been deeply involved in CSUN’s Byzantine fiscal affairs for several years, as both an administrator and a faculty member, and am reasonably knowledgeable about its numerous sources and applications of funds. I served as a member of the Presidential Search and Screen Advisory Committee and am aware of many of the considerations leading to the appointment of Dr. Wilson as CSUN’s president.

I fear that your editorial will undermine rather than enhance the ability of the institution to retain and improve its sense of community and collegiality.

BONITA J. CAMPBELL

Professor of Engineering

Cal State Northridge