A lawsuit filed October 3 asserts that the retroactive raises recently given to 26 CSU Executives are illegal and should be stopped.
The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of two former CSU students, contends that the portion of the raises applied retroactively constitutes an illegal gift of public funds under the California State Constitution.
The suit seeks an immediate injunction to stop the disbursement of the retroactive pay and requires the Chancellor as well as the presidents of all 23 campuses to return money to the state totaling between $125,000 and $175,000.
It should be noted, that while retroactive pay to executives constitutes and illegal gift of public funds, the prohibition against retroactivity does not apply to raises provided for under collective bargaining agreements. The lawsuit therefore has no bearing on retroactive pay currently being distributed to faculty.
“This lawsuit clearly illustrates the continued mismanagement and abuse of state funding by the CSU administration,” said CFA President Lillian Taiz. “It also outlines the need for AB 1413 and SB 190, bills that would reform the CSU governance structure and restore the lost confidence of faculty and students in the system.
READ THE NEWS COVERAGE ON THE LAWSUIT
Several prominent news outlets have already released stories on the lawsuit.
To read the San Francisco Chronicle story on lawsuit, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/04/BAGKSJANC.DTL
To read the Associated Press story, go to: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_7083495
To read the LA Times article, go to: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-calstate4oct04,1,4316277.story
On Thursday the LA Times also published a scathing editorial written by a CSU Long Beach faculty member condemning the raises given to high roller CSU executives. To read that editorial, click here: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-dilts4oct04,0,1714312.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
FAXES TO THE GOVERNOR ARE STILL NEEDED!
Faxes to the governor are urgently needed to help ensure that AB 1413 is signed into law.
The Governor has less than 10 days to decide whether to sign or veto all the bills currently on his desk, and CFA is asking faculty members to make sure he takes notice of legislation to reform the CSU.
Send a fax via the internet today and join thousands of other faculty members, students, staff, family and friends who have joined together to make sure Gov. Schwarzenegger recognizes the importance of AB 1413 and SB 190.
To send an e-fax, go to: http://capwiz.com/calfac/state/main/?state=CA
Sending an e-fax is quick, easy and crucial to CFA’s efforts to fixing the CSU’s flawed governance structure.
Please also note that early next week CFA will be asking faculty members to begin making calls to the Governor in order to maximize our influence before the deadline for taking action on bills.