California State University, Northridge

PRESS RELEASE

December 16, 1996

Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler,
(818) 677-2130
cchandler@exec.csun.edu

Faculty Senate Commends CSUN President Wilson

Cal State Northridge's Faculty Senate earlier this month approved a resolution commending President Blenda J. Wilson for her conduct during intense questioning about the university's affirmative action policies by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico).

Wilson was grilled for three hours in a proceeding in late October by a subcommittee investigating so-called preference policies in the California State University system. Two other CSUN administrators were also interrogated.

The Faculty Senate resolution, passed on Dec. 5, commends Wilson "for her grace in the face of the demagogic attack."

"We are proud of the way she stood up to their insensitive badgering and for her defense of the integrity of California State University, Northridge and the entire statewide system," the resolution said.

The senate resolution also called on Richter to apologize to Wilson and urged the state Assembly to censure Richter for his actions during the hearings.

The resolution also commended Jeanette Mann, special assistant to the president for equity and diversity, and Mary Sosa, contracts administrator, who also testified before Richter's panel.