SACRAMENTO, Calif. - State Sen. Ted W. Lieu, D-Torrance released following letter to California State University Board of Trustees chair Herbert L. Carter asking that the $100,000 raise given to the new president of San Diego State University be rescinded. Dear Mr. Carter: I am struck by disbelief with the action the CSU Board of Trustees took yesterday when you voted to increase the San Diego State University President’s salary to $400,000, a 25-percent increase. At a time of devastating state budget deficits, significant tuition increases that have doubled since 2007, and a global economic meltdown from which California has not yet recovered, it is inconceivable to me that you would lead the Board to approve such a massive salary increase for the SDSU President’s office. It is even more incredulous that you simultaneously voted to increase tuition fees for students while raising salaries for your administrators. I am requesting the CSU Board to reverse its decision. I am also requesting that the CSU Board stop any further future increases to its administrators? salaries during this difficult economic climate. As you know, it is the mission of the California State University system to provide affordable and quality education for Californians. CSU is not a private corporation. Its mission is to serve the public, not give windfalls to its administrators. You cannot behave like Wall Street and give unsustainable salaries to your executives. I flat out reject the argument that there was no one else in the world good enough at a $300,000 salary such that you had to give a $100,000 raise. Governor Jerry Brown sent a strongly worded letter to you before your votes. Governor Brown is right, and the Board is wrong and not acting in the best interests of the public. More fundamentally, your rejection of Governor Brown’s letter shows to me that you are completely out of touch with the economic and political realities facing California. I am one of the few Senators with a CSU located entirely within my district. I have always been a champion of the CSU because I deeply believe in CSU’s mission. It pains me greatly that your actions have caused significant damage to the credibility of the CSU before the Legislature and the people of California. You, your Chancellor, and your administrators will no longer be able, with a straight face, talk to the Legislature about CSU budget cuts when you just gave a massive raise for one of your administrative positions. Your actions have also damaged the reputation and judgment of your Chancellor, who supported the salary increase, and the majority of Trustees who voted for it. The Board’s actions send the clear signal that it cares more about lavish salaries than educating students. The students, faculty and people of California deserve better. I urge you to restore the integrity of the CSU and of your Board. The decision needs to be reversed. Sincerely, Ted W. Lieu State Senator