Cal Poly Pomona President Lauded for His Foresight

I am a Cal Poly Pomona alumnus who has benefited from, been involved and is continuing to participate in the promotion, development, growth and private partnership program of this great learning institution for the past 25 years.

I have also been working closely with its president, Dr. Bob Suzuki, toward expanding Cal Poly’s private sector participation and awareness, since he became its president during its tough budgetary times two years ago. Suzuki brought to the university vast knowledge and experience, including the diversity of a new cabinet and staff who really care and believe in the present and the future of Cal Poly in order to retain its excellent academic programs and to keep its “Learn By Doing” reputation within the community which we all have enjoyed for many years.

With the continuation of state budget cuts for these higher education institutions and the impact of these cuts on its student body in the form of fewer courses and classes to be offered, to avoid student graduation delays, many university presidents, and in particular Suzuki, have been forced to search for alternatives to replace the budget cut losses, to supplement and stimulate their budgets by going domestically to the private sector and internationally to offer continuing education programs, joint participation and ventures and other programs which they did not offer before. These programs require seed money investment, which we refer to in private business as entrepreneurship and marketing costs.

It is unfortunate that some sour-grape persons recently questioned Suzuki’s integrity and have attacked him personally, while the university is experiencing difficult financial times and in need for leadership more than ever, which Suzuki is providing.

ZIAD ALHASSEN

West Covina

This is written in response to your article dated May 30, 1993, “Cal Poly Kept Paying Dismissed Official.” In reading the article, I noticed that all the critics of Cal Poly’s president were former employees of the university. I did not read any substantial evidences that pointed to any wrongdoing by Suzuki. The only thing that Suzuki can be accused of is the bringing of new perspectives and creative solutions to a desperate financial situation faced by the entire California educational system.

I personally praise Dr. Suzuki for his foresight in knowing when to terminate an unsuccessful idea. Many businesses today would not recognize failing ideas in time to prevent drastic losses; IBM for example.

Dr. Suzuki is being used as a scapegoat to problems arising due to the financial difficulties of the university. Had this financial problem been nonexistent he would not be scrutinized by his colleagues. Would you have reported the success of his plan? Would you have even known about the success? People are so quick to condemn the leader when a plan is met by an obstacle.

RICARDINA LEON

West Covina