Incoming California State University (CSU) Chancellor Timothy White announced plans to take a 10 percent pay cut when he enters office in late December, a move the CSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved Wednesday.
The CSU Board of Trustees, which is meeting in Long Beach this week, saw cheering from faculty, students and others in the CSU boardroom upon White’s announcement, the Los Angeles Times reported.
White requested to lower the chancellor’s salary from $421,500 to $380,000, but did not modify a CSU Foundation stipend that will still provide White $30,000 annually.
“Despite the passage of Proposition 30, there remain grave economic issues to solve in California and the California State University,” White wrote in a statement Wednesday. “The success of the measure was the voice of the voters and taxpayers of California to start to reinvest in education. I also recognize that Californians expect me to properly steward these resources. Consequently, as I join the faculty, staff and students who have experienced cuts, salary freezes and increased fees, I too must do my part.”
CSU spokesperson Erik Fallis said the pay cut signals White’s commitment to be part of the solution when it comes to budget woes facing the university system. The incoming chancellor made his decision after speaking with several individuals both within the CSU and outside of it, Fallis said. These stakeholders included faculty, staff and student leaders.
White’s actions speak only for what the incoming chancellor is willing to do, Fallis said, and do not set an expectation for university presidents and other administrators to follow suit.
“All we had today is an indication of what (White) is willing to do,” Fallis said.
An alumnus of both the CSU and University of California systems, White served as chancellor of University of California, Riverside since 2008. He will replace current chancellor Charles Reed, who announced his retirement in spring after serving in the CSU for 14 years.
White will officially begin his tenure as CSU chancellor Dec. 31.
Sean McMinn contributed to this report.