So, what’s new? If this question addresses the state budget and the funding of the CSU, the answer very clearly is: almost nothing.  The wrangling in Sacramento continues over what to do about the budget deficit and, as a consequence, hardly any new legislation emerges.  (A cynic would say that makes the job for the CSU-ERFA Legislative Affairs Committee easy).  With regard to the CSU, there has been some positive movement, with an additional $50 million freed up for the rest of this academic year, but from the campuses we hear mostly about cancelled classes, laid-off part-time instructors, and academic program revamping.

What about CalPERS?  It’s been quite abit in the news lately, and rather prominently and I suspect that a number of our members see cause for concern.  The coverage of CalPERS-related matters elsewhere in the March 2010 issue of The Reporter issue will, I think, adequately address people’s worries.  By the way, the guest speaker at the April CSU-ERFA State Council meeting will be George Diehr, member of the CalPERS Board, who is well-known to and respected by most of our members.  I am sure that he will be asked to answer quite a few questions regarding a variety of issues.

Turning to CSU-ERFA, it is tempting to repeat what has been reported in the previous Reporter issue.  We are doing all right financially, and our membership is quite stable – so far.  But we need to be realistic: every year a number of our colleagues reach the end of their road, while others reach the beginning of their retirement and join our group.  As long as those numbers balance each other, we are okay.  Still, it would be even better for us as an emeriti and retirees organization to have the latter number exceed the former.  In short: let’s continue – and, perhaps, put out even a little more effort – to recruit new members!

Bylaws amendment? There are, however, two new (or “news”?) topics I want to address before signing off.  One is a proposed bylaws amendment, which the executive committee has discussed and is presenting to the membership: to change the term of office for the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer from one to two years.  There was broad agreement (and I, personally, heartily concur) that one year is barely enough time for the officers to get their feet wet (or whatever other metaphor you prefer), and that a two-year commitment would benefit everyone.  (For the sake of clarity: this bylaw change would take effect after this spring’s election.)

Editor of The Reporter. The second item I want to address, even though in a strictly technical sense it may be considered premature (presidential appointments are subject to State Council confirmation in April): I am very pleased that our current Reporter editor, Ted Anagnoson, could be persuaded to continue for the foreseeable future in that position.  Everyone on the Executive Committee is aware of the fact that this job not only demands an unusual degree of personal dedication, but is also enormously time-consuming. And everyone agrees that Ted's efforts result in a publication of very high quality

H. Dieter Renning (Stanislaus)
President, CSU-ERFA

(Webmaster's note:  This is a slightly edited version of the "From the president" column that appears in the March 2010 issue of the Reporter.)