Frequently Asked Questions 

Updated December 21, 2010

Q. Why did President Weber decide to retire?

A. President Weber will have served for 15 years as SDSU’s president. He and his wife Susan had intended to retire when he reached age 65, but friends and colleagues convinced them to stay another four years.

Q. When will a new president be hired/announced?

A. The California State University Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Reed, will begin the search in January 2011.  They hope to have a new president hired by May 2011. SDSU’s administration is already preparing for the transition. Many of you will be asked to participate in some way.

The CSU’s full policy on presidential searches can be found here: http://www.calstate.edu/datastore/PresidentialSearch.shtml.  

Q. Who is on the search committee?

A. The CSU’s search committee will include trustees as well as representatives from the SDSU community, including faculty, staff, students and alumni, with a trustee serving as chair.. It will also include the chancellor and a president of one other CSU campus.

Q. What is the process for the search?

A. The Search Advisory Committee will conduct a national search. Based on a review of applicants and input from the SDSU community, the search advisory committee will develop a confidential list of candidates.  The committee will make its recommendation to the Board of Trustees and Chancellor, who will make the final decision. Important dates can be found here.

Q. What expectations are there for SDSU’s next president?
A.   SDSU has considerable momentum. SDSU's next president is expected to build on key areas of strength, such as academic prestige, student success and donor and alumni support. The next president should support SDSU’s shared form of governance and have a clear vision for the future of our university.

Q. How can I participate in the search?
A. Groups on campus, such as Academic Senate, Associated Students and the Alumni Association, have selected representatives to participate on the search advisory committee. Others who would like to be involved will have opportunities to meet finalists and give input during campus visits, which includes forums open to the public.

Q. What changes will occur on campus during this transition year?

A.  SDSU's experienced leadership team remains in place - including President Weber - through the remainder of the academic year. That leadership team is committed to accomplishing the many  goals established for the coming year, including advancing SDSU’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, advancing a number of campus sustainability initiatives, advocating for the restoration of the state budget for higher education and much more.

More information about the search will be forthcoming from the California State University Chancellor’s office.  Questions can directed  to Claudia Keith, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Public Affairs (ckeith@calstate.edu) at the Chancellor’s office.

Additional questions can be directed to marcomm@mail.sdsu.edu.