The California State University Board of Trustees is set to review a transition plan for outgoing San Bernardino President Tomá's Morales this Wednesday.. The proposal allows Morales to move into a new university role while continuing to receive his current salary and benefits.
A $655,626 salary amidst gender discrimination allegations
Tomá's Morales received a total of $655,626 in pay and benefits during the 2024 calendar year,according to the report. This significant compensation package comes at a time of intense scrutiny for the California State University system.
The financial scale of the proposed transition is particularly notable because it occurs while the university is managing a multi-million dollar discrimination lawsuit. The intersection of high-level executive compensation and ongoing litigation raises questions about how public institutions manage leadership changes during periods of legal crisis. As the Cal State Board of Trustees prepares for its Wednesday meeting, the public is watching how the institution balances administrative continuity with the serious allegations brought forward by its staff.
The faculty retreat rights and executive perks for Morales
The transition plan for Tomá's Morales includes a coveted executive package that grants him specific faculty retreat rights. This arrangement would allow the outgoing San Bernardino president to maintain high-level university privileges even as he moves into a different role within the Cal State system.
Cal State spokesperson Amy Bentley-Smith stated that the specific details of this new position and the accompanying salary will be officially announced following the Board of Trustees' decision on Wednesday. The decision to allow a transfer while maintaining current benefits is a move that highlights the complexities of executive contracts within the California State University systeem.
The undisclosed salary and job title for Morales
Several critical details regarding the future of Tomá's Morales remain unverified by the university. While the Cal State Board of Trustees is set to review the transition plan, the specific job title and the exact salary Morales will receive in his new capacity have not been made public.
There are also unanswered questions regarding the "emeritus status" that the Board will vote on this Wednesday.. It remains unclear whether this status is a standard procedure for outgoing leaders or a specific component of a negotiated exit intended to resolve the tensions surrounding the ongoing litigation .
A multi-million dollar lawsuit involving Jake Zhu
The legal pressure on the California State University administration stems from a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by two female employees at Cal State San Bernardino. These employees allege they were subjected to gender-based harassment and discrimination by two high-ranking male administrators.
The lawsuit specifically names Tomá's Morales and former Palm Desert campus dean Jake Zhu as the individuals responsible for the alleged misconduct. As the university considers Morales's transition, the legal claims regarding the behavior of both Morales and Zhu continue to cast a shadow over the leadership at San Bernardino. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how Cal State handles future allegations of gender-based discrimination and administrator accountability.
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