The CSU system is the largest state university system in the United States, with close to half a million students and over 55,000 staff members on 23 campuses. According to the Register, Ms. García will earn in the neighborhood of $1 million a year in benefits and salary during a time when students struggle to stay afloat due to the price of an education.
Over the past five plus years, Ms. García has been president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, according to the news outlet. She has also served as president of CSU Dominguez Hills (2007–2012) and California State University–Fullerton (CSUF) from 2012 to 2018. Ms. García has also been affiliated with Arizona State University and a number of universities in the Northeast states during her career as an administrator.
During her tenure at CSUF, Ms. García reportedly helped to raise student graduation rates, increased philanthropic donations to the university, and added some buildings to the campus. One can only speculate as to what led to higher graduation rates, especially when so many incoming students require reading and math remediation. As is the case with many high schools, was grade inflation and social promotion involved in the process? Indeed, how many students ended up dropping out due to a lack of preparedness?
Following the news of her appointment, Ms. García noted, “I am honored, humbled and excited for this opportunity to serve the nation’s largest four-year university system and work alongside its dedicated leaders, faculty and staff, and its talented and diverse students to further student achievement, close equity gaps, and continue to drive California’s economic prosperity,” reported the outlet.
One wonders what Ms. García means by closing equity gaps. Is this a code phrase for offering special favors to a specific minority group while excluding the majority of students? Shouldn’t Ms. García be more concerned with the tradition of equality of opportunity for all students instead of the equity of prearranged outcomes?
The state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Jose Barrera stated, “Given that 21 campuses in the CSU system are Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), Ms. García will be able to go to Congress and advocate for national dollars to our CSU education system, which will help retain faculty and the advancement of all students.” He went on to address certain needs of Hispanic students.
Why is it necessary for Mr. Barrera to mention that the CSU system is a Hispanic Serving Institution? Aren’t universities supposed to serve all students who meet the standards for acceptance and enrollment? He could state something to the effect that the system welcomes American and international students who meet the grade and test score criteria, along with solid extracurricular and voluntary activities.
The obsession with ethnicity and race is counterproductive as it generates resentment with students who are left out. It can also be a disservice to minorities who might prefer a level playing field based on competence rather than a stacked deck. Students need less coddling and more lessons on how to struggle to succeed through effort and rigorous study. It’s also illegal to pick winners and losers based on ethnicity, gender, or race. In a free society, every individual can shape his or her destiny with informed decisions.
While most leaders among the vast CSU system had glowing remarks regarding Ms. García’s leadership and strategic vision, California State University–Northridge professor Theresa Montaño had a more skeptical approach to Ms. García’s selection as chancellor-designate. The system has a funding shortfall of $1.5 billion, which could translate into tuition increases and a paring down of student services.
Ms. Montaño stated, “What’s disturbing to me is that, at a time when the trustees are entertaining the idea of raising student tuition, and faculty can’t even afford homes in the areas where they are teaching, she gets an almost million-dollar package.”
“It’s great, but at the same time we’ve got to cope with the everyday reality that our students can barely afford tuition now, and our faculty are in contract negotiations, trying to fight for a decent salary,” she said.
If Ms. Montaño thinks that fees and tuition are high within the CSU system, she ought to check the figures for private colleges and the University of California system. Those costs can reach astronomical levels. In the scheme of things, the CSU system and community or junior colleges are quite a bargain for students who hope to ascend the academic and career ladders.
However, Ms. Montaño does have a point regarding Ms. García’s eye-popping package. The chancellor primarily oversees the system and provides training for current and potential future university presidents and chancellors. Ms. García will also battle for more government funding and private donors. However, while chancellors toss around plenty of buzzwords, they have a support system to carry out the heavy lifting.
Instead of fixating over identitarian gibberish, Ms. García could overhaul academic standards required of incoming high school graduates and transfer students, to reduce college dropout rates. Students who are suited for an array of noble occupational trades shouldn’t be forced into the “career and college ready” assembly line mantra that Common Core promotes.
In higher education, students should focus on how they can strengthen discipline and self-governing skills rather than remain dependent on key institutions. They also ought to absorb the fact that all human beings are people of color, and they all matter equally in the eyes of God.
