New Bill Proposes Overhaul of Cal State University Board of Trustees

Proposed legislation would increase trustee representation for faculty, staff, and students.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of warm colors, conceptually representing the proposed changes to the governing structure of the California State University system.A proposed overhaul of the CSU Board of Trustees aims to give more direct representation to the faculty, staff and students who are most impacted by the board's decisions.Milpitas Today

A new bill introduced in the California State Assembly would significantly restructure the governing board of the Cal State University system, the nation's largest public university network. Assembly Bill 2087 would increase the total number of trustees, reduce the number appointed by the governor, and mandate the election of 10 trustees representing faculty, staff, and students.

Why it matters

The Cal State system has faced major budget challenges in recent years, including layoffs, course reductions, and tuition hikes. This bill aims to give more direct representation to the people who work at and attend Cal State universities, ensuring their voices are heard in the system's leadership and decision-making.

The details

If passed, AB 2087 would increase the CSU Board of Trustees from 25 to 27 members. It would reduce the number of trustees appointed by the governor from 16 to 10, and require 10 trustees to be elected - 4 by and from faculty, 4 by and from non-faculty staff, and 2 by and from students. The remaining trustees would include 5 ex officio members, an alumni representative, and a faculty trustee selected by the Academic Senate.

  • AB 2087 was introduced on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Higher Education Committee on April 21, 2026.

The players

Assembly Bill 2087

Proposed legislation that would overhaul the governing structure of the California State University system's Board of Trustees.

Assemblymember Alex Lee

A Democratic representative from Milpitas who introduced AB 2087.

California State University

The nation's largest public university system, with 23 campuses, 470,000 students, and 60,000 employees.

California Faculty Association

The labor union representing CSU faculty, which is sponsoring AB 2087.

California State University Employees Union

The labor union representing CSU staff, which is also sponsoring AB 2087.

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What they’re saying

“They are the backbone of the nation's largest 4-year university system and a pillar for California's education, economic power and technological innovations. By democratizing the Board of Trustees, AB 2087 ensures that those who contribute to CSU every day have a seat at the leadership table. It creates a pathway for those impacted by the Board's decisions to be heard, and promotes a more inclusive governance for CSU.”

— Assemblymember Alex Lee

“Let's face it, 29,000 faculty are one of the most important parts of CSU and yet we only have one voice on the Board of Trustees. More faculty voices on the board will lead to more board decisions that reflect daily realities of the people who make the CSU run.”

— Margarita Berta-Ávila, President, California Faculty Association

“For too long, the CSU Board of Trustees has failed to hear voices of the people who make our universities run. AB 2087 is about bringing balance and democracy to the system, ensuring that workers have a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that impact our campuses, our students, and our future.”

— Catherine Hutchinson, President, California State University Employees Union

What’s next

AB 2087 will next be considered by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to give more direct representation to faculty, staff, and students on the governing board of the Cal State University system, which has faced significant budget challenges in recent years. If passed, it would mark a major shift in the power dynamics of CSU leadership.