President Donald Gerth said he will not announce his retirement during this morning?s meeting of the California State University Board of Trustees, despite persistent rumors to the contrary.

Gerth, 73, said in a Sunday telephone interview that he has no intention of vacating his post anytime soon.

“I hate to disappoint people, but I?m not retiring,” he said.

Gerth came to Sac State in 1984 from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he was president from 1976-84.

Speculation on whether Gerth would soon retire started last semester, sparked by the fact that Sac State would host the Trustees this week.

“The rumors all year have been that Gerth will finally announce his retirement,” said biology professor Robert Metcalf. “He has elaborate receptions arranged at his house, the Julia Morgan House and at the CSUS Alumni Center. It fits that all of this would be to honor himself.”

Gerth said he had heard those rumors too, but dismissed them, saying that he doesn?t know when he will step down.

“At a party three weeks ago, someone told me that the word was that I?m retiring. But no, I have no plans to retire,” he said.

The CSU board, which sets administrative and budget policy for the 23-campus system, usually convenes in Long Beach. Once each year they meet at one of the universities in the system. This year, Sac State plays host.

The board met in closed session yesterday morning at the Sheraton Grand Hotel before moving to the Sac State for the afternoon.

Gerth, Faculty Senate Chairman Bob Buckley and Associated Students, Inc. President Artemio Pimentel will address the board this morning at 9 a.m. in the University Union Ballroom. The meeting is open to the public.

The board?s agenda is available online at www.statehornet.com.

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