California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed announced today that he will retire as chancellor of the CSU following a 14-year tenure with the university system. 

In a statement sent to CSU campuses and employees, Reed said that he came to the CSU because of his belief in its mission.  "It has been an incredible honor to serve as chancellor of the California State University during such a dynamic period in the university's history.  Over the past decade and a half, the CSU has emerged as a national leader in providing access and support to students from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds.  Our campuses have continued to flourish even in the face of budgetary challenges and tremendous growth.  Throughout my time here, the CSU has grown by more than 100,000 students, and I have been honored to sign more than a million diplomas.  I take great pride in the CSU's mission to serve California's students, and I am proud to have played a role in carrying out that mission during these critical years."

Reed’s retirement comes at a point when the CSU System has had to turn away about 16,000 students and ultimately cut enrollment by as many as 25,000 students for the 2013-2014 school year.

The reductions would come on top of more than 3,000 layoffs in the past four years, increasing class sizes, and additional work for instructors. Those cutbacks were forced by rapidly declining state support, down one-third since 2008. The cuts also come despite surging tuition costs, set to rise another 9 percent in fall 2012. In 2006, annual CSU base tuition was $2,520; in 2012, it will be $5,970.