Chapter I

Organization of the California State University, and California State University, Los Angeles

Organization of the California State University

The individual California State Colleges were brought together as a system by the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960.  In 1972 the system became The California State University and colleges (CSUC) and in 1982 the system became The California State University (CSU). Today the campuses of the CSU include comprehensive and polytechnic universities and, since July 1995, the California Maritime Academy, a specialized campus.

The oldest campus - San Jose University - was founded in 1857 and became the first institution of public higher education in California.  The newest - CSU Channel Islands - opened in fall 2002, with freshmen arriving in fall 2003.

Responsibility for The California State University, is vested in the Board of Trustees, whose members are appointed by the Governor.  The Trustees appoint the Chancellor, who is the chief executive officer of the system, and the Presidents, who are the chief executive officers of the respective campuses.

The Trustees, the Chancellor, and the Presidents develop systemwide policy, with actual implementation at the campus level taking place through broadly based consultative procedures.  The Academic Senate of The California State University, made up of elective representatives of the faculty from each campus, recommends academic policy to the Board of Trustees through the Chancellor.

Academic excellence has been achieved by The California State University through a distinguished faculty whose primary responsibility is superior teaching.  While each campus in the system has its own unique geographic and curricular character, all campuses, as multipurpose institutions, offer undergraduate and graduate instruction for professional and occupational goals as well as broad liberal education.  All of the campuses require, for graduation with a baccalaureate, a basic program of "General Education Requirements" regardless of the type of bachelor's degree or major field selected by the student.

The CSU offers high quality and affordable bachelor's and master's level degree programs.  Many of these programs are offered so that students can complete all upper division and graduate requirements by part-time, late afternoon ,and evening study.  In addition, a variety of teaching and school service credential programs are available.  A limited number of doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and with private institutions in California.  In 2005, the CSU was authorized to independently offer educational doctorate (Ed.D.) programs.

Enrollments in fall 2008 totaled more than 433,000 students, who are taught by more than 21,000 faculty.  The system awards about half of the bachelor's degrees a third of the master's degrees granted in California.  More than 2.5 million students have been graduate from CSU campuses since 1961.

A recent economic report found that the CSU supports more than 150,000 jobs statewide, annually.  The engine driving job creation is more than $17 billion in economic activity that directly results from CSU-related spending that generates $5.43 for every dollar the state invests.  For more information, please see www.calstate.edu/impact.

Governance of the California State University

California Postsecondary Education Commission. Pursuant to the recommendation of the Master Plan, the Legislature established a Coordinating Council for Higher Education to make recommendations concerning the differentiation of functions among the various segments of public higher education and to develop plans for the orderly growth of public higher education in California.  The commission was created to provide advice to the Governor and the Legislature on problems and issues in postsecondary education, as well as to bring about improved statewide planning and coordination among the hundreds of public and private institutions in California that offer educational programs beyond the high school level.  In 1974 the Legislature dissolved the Coordinating Council of higher education and replaced it with the California Postsecondary Education Commission.

The Board of Trustees. The Legislature further implemented the Master Plan by resting the governance of The California State University in a body corporate, known as "The Trustees of the California State University." Under the present law there are 24 voting Trustees.  Five Trustees are ex officio: the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Chancellor of the California State University.  The Alumni Trustee is appointed by the CSU Statewide Alumni Council.  The Student Trustee and Faculty Trustee are appointed by the Governor from nominees proposed by the California State Student Association and the Statewide Academic Senate respectively.  The Student, Alumni, and Faculty Trustees serve for two years. The sixteen remaining Trustees are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the State Senate, and serve for eight years.  Trustees remain on the Board until a replacement is named or 60 days after their term expires.

The Chancellor. The chief executive officer of The California State University is the Chancellor appointed by the Board of Trustees.  The Chancellor is directly responsible to the Trustees for the administration of the universities.

The Chancellor's Executive Council. The Chancellor's Executive Council, comprised of the campus Presidents, acts as an advisory group to the Chancellor.  The Council evaluates proposed programs and policies prior to their submission to the Board of Trustees through the Chancellor. The Council also is involved in the implementation of all policy decisions affecting the universities and thus in the formulation of workable programs and means for the application of policy.  The Council normally meets once a month.

The Academic Senate of The California State University. The Academic Senate of The California State University serves as the official voice of the faculties of The California State University in matters of systemwide concern; considers issues bearing on systemwide policies and makes recommendations thereon; and assumes such responsibilities and performs such functions as may be delegated to it by the Chancellor or the Trustees.  All recommendations of the systemwide Senate are addressed to or through the Chancellor.  The Constitution of the Senate was ratified by the faculties on February 1, 1963, and approved by the Board of Trustees on March 8, 1963. See Appendix B, "Constitution of the Academic Senate of The California State University."

Relationships and Lines of Communication

Communication With Trustees. The Trustees are the governing board of The California State University.  The Chancellor is directly responsible to the Trustees for the administration of the system.

1. The Chancellor communicates directly with the Trustees.
2. Communication by others with the Trustees may be effected through the Office of the President upon approval of the Chancellor.

Communication Between Chancellor and Presidents. Each President is directly responsible to the Chancellor for the administration of the University.

Communication between the Chancellor and each President, individually, is direct in both directions.

1. The Chancellor communicates with each President concerning policies which govern the operation of the academic program and matters which are applicable to all the campuses.  The Chancellor will normally observe the established direct channel to a campus, but may deviate when the occasion demands it or when other procedures have been established in accordance with approved policy.
2. Each President communicates with the Chancellor concerning operation of the campus, including the progress and review of established programs and the development of new programs; problems which require resolution above the campus level; and educational developments and ideas which are pertinent to the responsibilities of the Chancellor or the Trustees.  The Office of the Chancellor is not perceived as the chief operational center of each campus or as an appellate office for campus matters, except where such is provided for in approved policy and procedures.

Communication between the Chancellor and the Presidents, collectively, is through the Chancellor's Executive Council.

1. The Chancellor transmits Trustees' policy definitions to the Presidents through the Council.  The Chancellor directs the functioning of the system through general and specific instructions to the Council. The Chancellor informs the Presidents, through the Council, of the educational progress and problems of the system and solicits their advice. The Chancellor reviews, with the Council, the proposals and plans for meetings of university personnel.
2. The Presidents, through the Council, advise the Chancellor.  The Council presents to the Chancellor matters which require attention at the policy or highest administrative level and advises or makes recommendations to the Chancellor.  The Council reviews the recommendations of staff and organized systemwide administrative and faculty groups.  The Council advises the Chancellor regarding the resolution of systemwide problems.  The Agenda Committee, with the approval of the Chancellor, assembles subjects and materials for presentation to the Council.

Communication Between Chancellor's Staff and Each President's Staff.  The Chancellor designates to the Presidents the assignment and responsibilities given to each of the Chancellor's administrative staff members.  Each President designates to the Chancellor the assignment and responsibilities given to each of the members of their administrative staffs.

1. The Chancellor identifies appropriate channels and informs the Presidents of approved communication.  Once communication has been approved and begun, the Chancellor and the Presidents involved are kept informed of progress.
2. The findings and recommendations of such cooperation are subject to appropriate administrative authorization at the Chancellor's and Presidents' level before implementation.

Communication Between Chancellor and Other University Personnel and Groups and University-Affiliated Groups.

1. The Chancellor normally communicates with other university personnel or organized groups through the President or with a copy of the communication to the President.
2. Other university personnel normally communicate with the Chancellor through the line of the university organization, specifically including the President.
3. Organized inter-university groups outside university jurisdiction may communicate directly with the Chancellor.  In communication with such groups the Chancellor may inform the appropriate President, or the Council, of the nature of the communications.
4. Organized university-affiliated groups such as student associations, alumni organizations, and citizen committees, may communicate directly with the Chancellor and the Presidents.  The Chancellor and each President inform each other of the nature of such communications. (CCSCP, July 10, 1962).

The California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles was established by the Legislature on July 2, 1947, as "The Los Angeles State College." In 1949, the Los Angeles State College was reconstituted by the Legislature as "The Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences." In 1964, the Board of Trustees of the California State Colleges changed the name of the college to the "California State College at Los Angeles," in 1968 to "California State College, Los Angeles," and in 1972 to "California State University, Los Angeles."

From 1947 to 1955, the college shared the campus of the Los Angeles City College.  In 1956 the college moved to its present campus of one hundred and seventy-five acres in the northeastern section of the City of Los Angeles, five miles east of the Civic Center.  A total of 18 permanent buildings, representing a financial investment by the State of California of more than $100 million, stand on a plateau that serves as a refreshing oasis in the center of the Los Angeles region.

A faculty of about 700 full-time and 385 part-time professors serves a student body of some 19,000 men and women. Bachelor's degrees are offered in 58 fields, master's degrees in 53, and the doctor's degree is offered in one field jointly with the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Presidents of California State University, Los Angeles have been P. Victor Peterson (1947-49), Howard S. McDonald (1949-62), Albert D. Graves (1962-63), Franklyn A. Johnson (1963-65), John A. Greenlee (1965- 79), and James M. Rosser (1979 to date).

The University Seal

 

The University Seal has as its motif the outline of the State of California, with a sunburst indicating the location of the University within the city of Los Angeles.  The open book symbolizes the educational purpose of the University, with the numerals indicating the date of founding.  The original design for the seal, created by John R. Siebon, was accepted by the Associated Students as their official emblem in November 1949, and was adopted officially by the President of the University and the Executive Council in April 1953.

Approval by the President or designee is required for use of the seal on any form of graphic productions.

The University Mace

The University Mace is a ceremonial piece symbolizing the authority under which the University is chartered.  It is identified with the Office of the President and is carried in academic processions for commencements and other official University gatherings.  The honor of serving as Mace Bearer is accorded to the Chair of the Academic Senate.

Historically, maces date back to the thirteenth century, when they began to be carried as ceremonial symbols of royal authority at events attended by English kings.

The University Mace, first used at the annual Commencement exercises in June 1960, was designed and executed by Hudson Roysher, Emeritus Professor of Art.  The head of the mace bears the seal of the University.  The crowning ornament on the head depicts three buds of the bird of paradise, official flower of the City of Los Angeles.  The buds represent the arts, letters, and sciences.  The design at the foot of the mace is derived from the poppy, floral emblem of the State of California.  The decorative bands encircling the mace symbolize the mountainous terrain of Southern California.

Academic Organization of the University

For the administration of its instructional programs, the University is organized into seven colleges. The colleges and their departments, divisions or schools, follow:

College of Arts and Letters: Departments of Art; Communication Studies; English; Liberal Studies; Modern Languages and Literatures; Music; Philosophy; Television, Film, and Media Studies; Theatre and Dance; and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

College of Business and Economics: Departments of Accounting; Economics and Statistics; Finance, Law, and Real Estate; Information Systems; Management; Marketing; and an interdisciplinary program in Health Care Management.

College of Education: Divisions of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education; Curriculum and Instruction; and Special Education and Counseling.

College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology: Departments of Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Technology.

College of Ethnic Studies: Departments of Asian and Asian American Studies; Chicana(o)/Latina(o) Studies; and Pan-African Studies.

Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services: Departments of Child and Family Studies, Communication Disorders; Nutrition and Food Science, and Public Health; The Patricia A. Chin Schol of Nursing; and the Schools of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics; Kinesiology; and Social Work.

College of Natural and Social Sciences: Departments of Anthropology; Biological Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Geosciences and Environment; History; Mathematics; Physics and Astronomy; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; and interdisciplinary programs in Latin American Studies and Natural Science.

Special Study Centers

Several special centers which are committed to various objectives are part of the campus community. These and other research-oriented organizations engage in the acquisition and dissemination of information, issuance of publications, and support of special programs aimed at bringing outstanding speakers to the campus and seeking out sources of funds for expanding library holdings and other resources essential to research. These centers are described in the General Catalog.

The General Catalog

The General Catalog of the University incorporates descriptions of programs leading to degrees and credentials, the special study centers, the faculty in various disciplines, and many of the statutory and administrative regulations governing University policies and their implementation in relation to the instructional programs and student progress.

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