Cynthia Alvarez

The Committee on Audit agenda included multiple items addressing audit activities and financial reporting. Key discussion points involved the status report on Audit and Advisory Services activities, detailing risk-based assurance audits (14 completed, 18 in progress for the 2025-2026 plan), data analytics use, and investigations oversight. The committee also reviewed value-based activities, including advisory services and tracking intergovernmental audits, such as follow-ups on State Auditor reports concerning Student Housing, Community College Transfers, NAGPRA, and Title IX. The final item involved the presentation and requested approval of the Audited Financial Statements and Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, which resulted in an unmodified opinion on the financial statements but identified four material weaknesses in the Single Audit Report related to federal aid reporting, disbursement notifications, procurement controls, and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards reporting.

The meeting covered several agenda items. The consent agenda included the approval of the minutes from the November 18, 2025, meeting. Discussion focused on a Tribal Relations Update regarding the status of compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California NAGPRA, noting that seven of eight State Auditor recommendations have been fully implemented, with Recommendation 4 (committee establishment) outstanding. The update detailed recent repatriations, finalization of the systemwide NAGPRA policy, and intensive systemwide policy training. The second discussion item involved a State Legislative Update, highlighting three Board-sponsored legislative proposals for 2026: authorizing restraining orders for credible threats, a joint general education associate degree pilot program, and a nursing workforce proposal providing financial assistance for service in underserved communities. Trustees expressed support for the legislation but encouraged more robust consultation in development.

The meeting agenda included several action items requiring approval, such as the approval of minutes, the CSU Salary Schedule update, and updates to the CSU Policy and Procedures for Review of Presidents. Key discussions focused on executive compensation for the President of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success. An information item provided an update on Civil Rights (Title IX and Other Nondiscrimination) Programs and Services, detailing investigation processes, factors extending timelines beyond the 100-working-day goal, and system initiatives to expedite resolutions, including a Shared Investigator Pilot Program.

The meeting focused on several action items related to philanthropy and naming conventions. Key discussions included the naming of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, recognizing a $20 million gift, and the naming of the Robert Darwin Black Box Cabaret at CSU Monterey Bay, recognizing a $5 million commitment. The committee also reviewed and adopted the 2024-2025 CSU Donor Impact Report, which detailed significant gift commitments and receipts systemwide, as well as the growth of the endowment market value. Additionally, the committee considered the naming of the Montage Health Helen Baszucki School of Nursing at CSUMB, recognizing a $15 million gift, and the naming of the Hung Family College of Engineering at California State University, Long Beach, recognizing a $30 million gift. The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude for donor contributions.

The joint committee meeting addressed two primary items. The first, under the consent agenda, involved the approval of previous minutes from the July 22, 2025, meeting, which is excluded from this summary per instructions. The main discussion focused on moving the CSU's capital program forward, highlighting the significant deferred maintenance backlog, currently at approximately $8.4 billion, and the total facilities need exceeding $30 billion. Trustees expressed concern over inconsistent state funding since 2014 and supported a multifaceted long-term strategy involving advocacy, bond measures, and private partnerships. The second action item concerned San Diego State University's Evolve Student Housing, Phase 2 project, requesting approval for amending the 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Program to include $140,000,000 for schematic design and financing. The financing involves issuing Systemwide Revenue Bonds (SRB) up to a not-to-exceed principal amount of $157,415,000. The Phase 2 project will add approximately 760 apartment-style student beds by demolishing an existing building, contributing to the overall Evolve development goal of adding 5,170 beds.