President's Evaluation
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The California State University Office of the Chancellor
November 2009
Open Letter to the CSU Dominguez Hills Community:
During the fall 2009 term, the first three-year review of Mildred García, President of California State University, Dominguez Hills was conducted. The review took the form of collecting and summarizing letters from a selection of the campus and external community members. The review concluded on November 17, 2009, with a discussion of the review by the CSU Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees and I appreciate the contributions of those who worked with us on this review.
Criteria established by the Board of Trustees in 1984, and updated in 1994 and 2001, were used to assess the performance of President Mildred García and the progress of the institution. These measures included the overall management of the institution, relations on campus and within the system, educational leadership, community relations, major achievements of the campus and the president, and personal characteristics of the president. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community representatives were invited to submit written comments responding to the trustees’ criteria.
Among achievements mentioned by the review respondents are the following:
obtaining reaccreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) until 2018; appointing a provost/vice president for academic affairs, a vice president for planning and enrollment management, and a vice president for university advancement; initiating an enrollment management function and attaining enrollment target in spring 2009; reducing the structural budget deficit; spearheading a collaborative and inclusive strategic planning process; increasing the results of fundraising and increasing by 301% the number of alumni donors; increasing positive media coverage; supporting the online campuswide directory of awards and scholarly/creative activity and civic engagement; initiating the Points of Pride program to recognize special features of the university, unique events and programs, and accomplishments of faculty, staff, and students; attracting prominent individuals as commencement speakers; and, winning the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship.
Dr. García has a habit of walking the sidewalks and engaging people in conversation; she drops into campus offices unannounced to talk with people. She is accessible and communicates to the campus by emails and from the web site.
Historically, the Dominguez Hills campus has struggled to reach enrollment targets, has enrolled a significant number of students who are not fully prepared for university studies, has suffered from a feeling of being inferior, and has had ineffective administrators. With President García’s arrival, a new senior leadership team has been put in place; these capable individuals work as a team with Dr. García.
Adjustments were made in the organizational structure and the major administrative units were downsized. For example, a vice president for planning and enrollment management was hired but when the vice president for student affairs retired, the divisions were merged with the vice president for planning and enrollment management leading the merged units.
In fall 2008, the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services were merged into a new College of Professional Studies. This also resulted in the elimination of a dean’s position. Although none of the review commentators addressed the merits of the merger, several complained that it was done without consulting the academic senate.
The university met its enrollment target in spring 2009. It reduced by a significant measure the budget deficit that has been carried for years. The number of dues paying alumni improved dramatically recently; fund raising overall now appears to have potential.
Student learning is the predominant theme that drives decisions. One upshot is that the offices that interact with students have become friendlier in providing services.
With the statewide budget reduction, every campus is struggling to cope with the consequences; however, some of the faculty members at Dominguez Hills are very distressed over a campuswide program review led by the new provost that will set priorities for program continuation or discontinuation. The controversy is intense. These vocal faculty members want the president and the provost to cease this program review and urge both to resign. Their campaign mantra asserts that Dr. García wants to turn CSU Dominguez Hills into a trade school. Ironically, she is being criticized for articulating clear career and professional goals for the students.
This review informs us that other faculty members are also highly complementary of Dr. García as president. They believe in her ideas and vision, support the people she hired, admire her determination, appreciate that she is visible on campus, both walking around
and attending events, and feel that she cares deeply about the university’s future. Community members and business people are highly supportive of President García.
Dr. Mildred García has an outgoing personality and brought to Dominguez Hills a great deal of energy, optimism, and pride. She is not deterred by critics. Her personal story gives her an extra advantage and credibility in being a role model for many students served by CSU Dominguez Hills.
President Mildred García and I discussed this review and established the following goals:
- In accord with Trustee policy on student retention and graduation, continue the university’s focus on student learning and success.
- Maintain visibility and continue walking the campus and visiting offices to engage in conversations with faculty, students, and staff as a means of understanding concerns and solving problems.
- Continue communications from the president, especially on budget related matters.
- Continue to work on enhancing relationships in the context of shared governance.
- Diversify sources of funds needed to support the university.
- Increase the level of donor support.
- Build on current efforts with the K-12 schools to graduate students who are academically prepared to enter the university.
- Continue the community outreach efforts that are yielding benefits in terms of campus identity, friends and supporters, and partnerships.
- Continue making alumni relations a priority.
Dr. Mildred García is extremely committed to California State University, Dominguez Hills, its mission and values, and the academic enterprise. Dr. García is an energetic, dedicated, highly focused, and very capable president for California State University, Dominguez Hills.
With kind regards,
Sincerely,
Charles B. Reed
Chancellor