Dianne Harrison gets a 20 percent salary increase

True, the salary increase that was approved for her new position as president of CSU Northdrige was only of 10 percent -- to be paid for with private money.

So as president of CSU Northridge, Dianne Harrison will make $324,500, 10 percent more than her predecessor, who earned $295,000.

But when you take into consideration that Harrison was earning $270,315 at Cal State Monterey Bay, it's really a 20 percent salary increase she's getting.

Harrison and two other CSU incoming presidents are slated to earn 10 percent more than their predecessors, something that's not sitting well with many, even though the money will come from private sources.

When I interviewed Harrison before she left, she said the salary presidents earn has to be competitive -- not just in California, but nationwide. And when compared with other presidents in other states -- such as Gordon Gee at Ohio State-- $325,000 doesn't seem that extravagant.

Harrison also told me her salary should not be considered an increase from her current job, but from the position she was taking on. After all, the size of the student population at CSUN is almost four times that of CSUMB. There's got to be a lot more meetings at that university.

Plus, she said all this talk about salaries -- a miniscule portion of the budget -- is just distracting.

I'll give her that last point. When you consider the total expenditures of the university system, complaining about presidential salaries doesn't seem worth the effort.

But we can't ignore how wrong it feels to see these people keep making more and more money, when the rest of us have to endure furloughs and pay cuts. When students have to keep paying more and more, when financial aid is being cut and classes eliminated. Financially it may not mean much but symbolically it says a lot, and that's what infuriates people.

CSU trustees to vote on pay for Dianne Harrison, Eduardo Ochoa

California State University trustees will discuss what to do if Gov. Brown's tax measure fails in November -- raise tuition, cut employees compensation.

They'll also vote on how much to pay newly appointed campus presidents. Dianne Harrison, who was appointed to lead CSU Northridge, would receive the same annual salary of her predecessor ($295,000) but receive an annual supplement provided by the university's private foundation of $29,500.

Incoming interim president Eduardo Ochoa would receive the same annual salary Harrison was receiving, $270,315.

CSUMB Dianne Harrison going to Northridge

The California State University Board of Trustees Thursday named Dianne F. Harrison, president of California State University, Monterey Bay, as president of California State University, Northridge. Harrison has been CSUMB president since 2006.

“I am excited and honored to be selected as president of another fine institution within the California State University system, and look forward to working together with the entire campus community on the many opportunities for the future," said Harrison.

Harrison was among the finalists for the position to succeed retired President Jolene Koester, who served as CSUN president since 2000. She is expected to begin her new position as president sometime in June. CSUN Provost Harold Hellenbrand has been serving in an interim capacity as president since Koester's retirement in December 2011.

“Dr. Harrison brings an outstanding portfolio of administrative experience, academic credentials and student-focused approach to her new position as president of Cal State Northridge", said CSU Trustee Bob Linscheid, who was chair of the presidential search committee. "She has an impressive record of accomplishments, a commitment to scholarship, and will provide strong leadership as the campus moves forward."

Harrison came to Monterey Bay following a 30-year career at Florida State University where she served in various capacities starting as a faculty member, dean of social work, associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of graduate studies and vice president for academic quality and external programs. She holds a Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's of social work and a bachelor's in American Studies, both from the University of Alabama.

-- Joan Weiner, CSUMB

CSUMB honored once again for Service Learning program

Cal State University Monterey Bay was a finalist for the Presidential Award as part of the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to community service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service received applications from more than 640 colleges and universities. Five received the Presidential Award; 14 were named finalists.

In 2006, the program’s inaugural year, CSU Monterey Bay was one of three recipients of the top award. It has been named to the Honor Roll each year since then. The university earned the top honor again last year, making it the only two-time recipient of the President’s Award.

"Not only is service learning woven into our curriculum," President Dianne Harrison said, "it also is part of our university's ethos of engaging with and contributing to our surrounding communities."

CSUMB was honored in the category of general community service, which recognizes the quality of and commitment to community service initiatives, and emphasizes long-term partnerships and measurable outcomes as a result of the service.

CSUMB is the only public university in California, and one of the few nationally, where service learning is a requirement for all students. Each year, nearly 50 percent of CSUMB’s students enroll in service learning courses contributing more than 65,000 hours of service to more than 250 schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies in the tri-county area. And service learning is an academic department, where issues of service, diversity, social justice and social responsibility are linked to the core curriculum.

--- Joan Weiner, CSUMB