CSUN’s Counseling Improvements Ignored

* My ragged dictionary defines “editorialize” as “to introduce opinion into the reporting of facts.” Although opinion is certainly present in “Time for a Counseling Consolidation” (Los Angeles Times, Dec. 19) at least two important facts appear to be misrepresented.

First, Cal State Northridge has since its inception been a commuter school: the full-time dorm resident, “fresh out of high school” student image portrayed in the editorial has never been representative of the average CSUN student. Until very recently, in fact, CSUN had no residential students.

Second, the development of a more centralized and coordinated approach to academic advisement was proposed during the tenure of former President James Cleary by Dr. Elizabeth Berry, who was at that time associate vice president for academic programs. The recommendation was integrated into the WASC self-study of the campus by CSUN faculty and administrators as one way of improving academic advisement, and did not reflect the editorial’s contention that academic advising “is an area in which CSUN has been particularly remiss.” The implementation of this and other campus recommendations was delayed or deferred in large part as a result of personnel changes in the presidency and other campus administrative positions.

Although it is perhaps commendable that the Los Angeles Times has finally discovered that Cal State Northridge exists, the extent to which this and other editorials and articles about CSUN have misrepresented “the facts” is troubling. San Fernando Valley residents and CSUN students might be better served by more accurate and thoughtful reporting and editorializing.

BONITA J. CAMPBELL

Professor of Engineering

California State University, Northridge