Millie Watch Action in Los Angeles Builds Solidarity

CFA members mobilized to speak out on increased faculty workload, budget cuts, administrative bloat, and protecting public education when CSU Chancellor Mildred García visited CSU Los Angeles on August 18.

García came for Fall Convocation and an “Investiture Benefit Luncheon,” where she presented an award to campus President Berenecea Johnson Eanes. Members refused to let the celebrations overshadow the harsh reality of cuts to instruction and lecturer job loss, despite no ongoing cuts to the CSU’s funding from the state. They took the opportunity to protest García’s leadership.

Members tabled outside of convocation, welcoming back faculty and handing out CFA’s Shortchanging Students report. The report exposes the ways in which CSU administrators are failing to keep their commitment to student success. Members also leafleted the report as people entered the luncheon.

When García spoke at the convocation, faculty members dropped a banner reading “Stop Shortchanging Students.” Others stood up and turned their backs.

Robin Dodds, CFA member and CSU Los Angeles professor, said García’s $983,000 total annual compensation package is a slap in the face to the students, staff and faculty of the CSU. Instead of paying García nearly $1 million a year, Dodds said the university system could better spend the money on issues like paying our union siblings with the CSU Employees Union their promised salary steps.

“Or the CSU could renovate the crumbling unsafe and unhealthy buildings that proliferate their aging campuses,” Dodds said. “Or they could invest in accessibility for their disabled students, staff, faculty, and community members who struggle to safely access and navigate campuses. Instead, García gets paid to promote herself and post glossy propaganda that belies her systematic dismantling of the largest and most impactful public university system in the nation and sells the CSU off to corporate interests, closing the door behind her.”

Since beginning her tenure as chancellor in October 2023, García has repeatedly excluded faculty voices in making decisions and amassed a pile of unfair labor practice charges. Under her leadership, CFA has filed charges on issues including her A.I. initiative and interim Time, Place and Manner (TPM) policy.

“When CSU executives strip resources from classrooms and faculty, it is an attack on the students and on their communities who need those resources most now more than ever, and we will not stand by.”

Sarra Ben Ghorbal

Sarra Ben Ghorbal, CFA member and CSU Los Angeles lecturer, said the Millie Watch action was well-received and sparked great conversations with faculty and administrators. She added that participating in the event filled her with a sense of solidarity and power.

“Standing shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues reminded me that our collective voice matters and that we will continue to hold CSU leadership accountable for the future of public education and our students, “Ben Ghorbal said. “When CSU executives strip resources from classrooms and faculty, it is an attack on the students and on their communities who need those resources most now more than ever, and we will not stand by.”

CFA members previously organized a Millie Watch event in March in Sacramento. Members will continue holding leadership accountable for the future of the People’s University.