After 14 years presiding over one of the largest state university systems in the country, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed announced Thursday that he will retire.
“Over the past decade and a half, the CSU has emerged as a national leader in providing access and support to students from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. Our campuses have continued to flourish even in the face of budgetary challenges and tremendous growth,” Reed said in a statement released Thursday.
“Throughout my time here, the CSU has grown by more than 100,000 students, and I have been honored to sign more than a million diplomas. I take great pride in the CSU's mission to serve California's students, and I am proud to have played a role in carrying out that mission during these critical years."
Since its establishment in 1961, the CSU system has had five chancellors before Reed, 70, who is expected to retain his position until the CSU board of trustees names a replacement.
Reed served during one of the most hectic times to hit the state university system. During his tenure, the CSU budget was slashed by more than $1 billion, while its administrators and staff were challenged to find ways to serve a student body that has grown by more than 100,000 students to 427,000.
"Charlie has persevered through the worst budget crisis in the history of California, and has had to deal with deep budget cuts to the CSU. He has a deep desire to do what is best for students,” CSU board chair Bob Linscheid said in a statement.
Reed has repeatedly come under fire for his six-figure salary, which student groups and teachers’ unions contend casts the chancellor as an out-of-touch leader.
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His retirement announcement comes during a time when more than half a dozen CSU’s, including Northridge and San Bernardino, are in the process of welcoming new presidents onto campus.
CSU officials touted Reed’s leadership over an increased effort to serve students from traditionally under-served backgrounds by launching outreach and support services to Latino, African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American and veteran communities.
In 2004, the CSU was among three state bodies that created the Early Assessment Program to assess 11th grade students’ preparedness for college-level English and math.
Reed led the CSU, which joined the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education, to establish the program which has grown to encompass 81 percent of all juniors enrolled in California public high schools.
Before sheparding the CSU, Reed served 13 years as chancellor of the Florida State University System.
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