SDSU Cutbacks

Thomas Day stepped up to the plate in Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University on Aug. 28, hoping to hit a home run against critics of the way he handled the budget crisis at SDSU. He had scored a few minor hits earlier in his career at SDSU, walked several times, and fouled off many pitches over the summer. But that Thursday, in his near final appearance at the plate--his team in the dugout--he struck out.

Day scored no points in his attempt to win back faculty confidence in his governance. The faculty, on the other hand, scored big as four resolutions designed to move the university to a conclusion of its crisis and to prepare SDSU for the future were approved by the 600-700 in attendance. The four runs scored by faculty were resolutions to declare the office of the president of SDSU to be vacant and begin the selection of new campus leadership; rescind, not simply postpone, all layoffs at SDSU; adopt a two-year transition process for budget and resource planning; and formally investigate the SDSU budget allocations.

All in all, it was an exciting inning in the last of a series of painful face-offs between Day and the academic community. But the game isn’t over yet. The Chancellor of CSU, Dr. Barry Munitz, and the Board of Trustees of the CSU system will play in the last inning. The final decision to replace Day as President of SDSU will be in their hands.

One thing is certain--no one will win this game. Day will lose his command of SDSU, the university will lose its fine reputation and many of its students; higher education will lose its confidence in democratic ideals; CSU will lose its standing as a model statewide system of higher education; administrators will lose respect and trust and, therefore, effective leadership; faculty will lose careers, research grants, competitiveness, and professional respect; students will lose access to career choices, talented enthusiastic faculty, and opportunities for enriched learning. There will be no cheers or cheerleaders when this game is over. Only tired, angry and frustrated players.

DAVID A. SLEET, Professor, San Diego State University