Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker announced Monday in a news release that he would retire at the end of this academic year or when a new university president is selected.
Baker has served as the university’s president since 1979.
In an e-mail to Poly faculty and staff, Baker said, “For the last 30 years I have been extremely fortunate to work with such outstanding colleagues. All of you are truly exceptional in your dedication to our students.” In another email to students, he added that “it has been a deeply satisfying experience to serve as your president.”
Baker also addressed some of the goals he had for the university, including work on a new science center and the implementation of the College Based Fees (CBF) increase that students approved last year. In a previous interview with the Mustang Daily, Baker had said that he had hoped plans for the Science Center would be set before he left office.
University provost Robert Koob praised what he called the “intellectual foundation” Baker has instilled over his tenure and reiterated some of the president’s goals before leaving. “His heart is committed” to making sure the Cal Poly Plan fees (the increased CBF fees) will be implemented.
Koob added that it is likely it will take six months to find a replacement for Baker.
Presidents for California State University (CSU) campuses are selected by the CSU Board of Trustees, who will review a minimum of three candidates selected by committees.
Vice President of Student Affairs Cornel Morton said that in his 30-year tenure at Cal Poly Baker has moved the university to the forefront of higher education in the country not just the region.
“(Baker) has left an indelible mark on Cal Poly,” he said. “The legacy that he has left is one of excellence and outstanding reputation.”
Morton added that students need to be active in the Cal Poly community during the search for the next president. Students should keep informed about the process and come to forums when candidates visit the campus, he said.
He also said the next president should understand that liberal arts and general education are just as important to the university as science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM education.
Student reaction to Baker’s announcement was mixed. Some voiced praise for Baker’s time as president, while others saw the transition as a chance for improvement.
“One of my first thoughts was to wonder what this means for the future of our campus and its community. I hope his successor can be just as good,” said Alex May, an aerospace engineering freshman. “I just don’t want the direction of this campus’s academic program to change too drastically,” he added.
“Hopefully our next president won’t be so elusive and he will be more directly and personally involved (with the Cal Poly campus),” said psychology sophomore Marijke Uleman.
Most students agreed that whoever follows Baker to the presidency will have a full plate of challenges.
“I can only hope that his successor will be able to resolve some of the difficulties students are facing regarding registration, overcrowding and department funding,” said materials engineering freshman Will Michul.
Tim Miller, Alex Kacik, Katelyn Smith and Emilie Egger contributed to this report.