Sacramento State faculty union members elected Jim Chopyak to serve as the university?s chapter president April 26.

Chopyak, who has served as California Faculty Association Sacramento chapter vice president for the past five years, said he plans to continue working toward representing the needs of full-time and part-time professors and lecturers on campus.

“We?re going to keep moving toward making the CFA more representative of faculty views,” Chopyak said.

Chopyak will take over the final year of outgoing President Jeff Lustig?s two-year term beginning at the end of the semester.

Lustig announced April 3 he would be stepping down to concentrate on scholastic activities.

The position will likely be opened again for re-election next year, Chopyak said.

Lustig, who worked closely with Chopyak during a recent yearlong contract dispute with California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed?s cffice, said Chopyak is “highly qualified” for the position.

Membership in the CFA has grown significantly over the past few years among California State University faculty, Lustig said. The organization recently announced that membership had surpassed 10,000 people statewide, compared to 6,700 in June 1997.

Chopyak said he?s ready for the demands of the position, even if it comes with some surprises.

“There will probably be things that will surprise me about it, but I?ve been around for a number of years and am pretty well prepared to step in,” Chopyak said.

Lustig, who served as president for the previous five years, said the position often demands a lot of time and energy, but is generally less strenuous during non-contract years.

“Until the next contract comes up, there won?t be the need for statewide and other special meetings,” Lustig said.

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