The Sacramento State chapter of the California Faculty Association may experience a major facelift during the 2007-08 academic year, as assistant professor of criminal justice Timothy Capron and current vice president Lila Jacobs prepare to go toe to toe for the coveted title of president.

Associate Professor of criminal justice Bruce Bickle said he nominated Capron, who openly supports President Alexander Gonzalez on a number of issues, because he is interested in working with administrators in a civil and congenial manner.

” I’ve been dismayed by the ill will and tone of the discourse,” Bickle said. “It’s my belief that university issues should be discussed in a formal and orderly manner. They should be conducted with civility.”

Current chapter President Cecil Canton, who has been apart of the CFA board for six years, said Bickle’s claims are unwarranted.

“He’s doing what (Gonzalez) does,” Canton said. “He’s making it personal when it’s not personal.”

If elected, Capron said he would support an increase in student fees, which he said are artificially low at the present time.

“If they were raised?there would be more money and more courses,” Capron said. “(Students aren’t) paying their fair share.”

Fee increases aside, Capron said that as the president of the Sac State chapter of the CFA, he would work closely with all members of the campus community while keeping faculty interests in mind.

“I would work with (Gonzalez), the administration, the Faculty Senate, staff members and students in a spirit of collegiality?.I would point out that we have a budget shortfall that must be addressed,” Capron said.

Capron said he would also seek to separate the union from alliances with the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association.

“Our interests are not the same as theirs?.They’re our competition,” Capron said. “I would further concentrate on faculty issues by discouraging political practices, such as spending CFA money on political campaigns.”

Capron said he supports Gonzalez and disagreed with the introduction and outcome of the recent no-confidence referendum because Gonzalez did what the Faculty Senate asked of him.

“I am appalled at the rush to conduct a no-confidence vote,” Capron wrote last month in a letter to The State Hornet. “This is not the time to do so. The Faculty Senate has asked for changes, and the president has been very responsive.”

Capron said he is unsure if speaking out about issues like the referendum and student fees will hurt or help his chances of being elected.

Jacobs, who was nominated by Canton, said that while she disagrees with Gonzalez on a number of issues she is willing to work with him if there is a sincere effort to improve the campus and its programs.

“I am ready to work with (Gonzalez) when his decisions support the academic and student support programs of the university,” Jacobs said. “I am also ready to oppose him, and anyone else in that position, when they have priorities that do not fit with the mission of academic excellence and student access.”

Jacobs said she is running on her proven record of strong leadership and action.

“I think my previous experience (as vice president) is extremely valuable,” Jacobs said. “During my time as vice president, I took a strong leadership role on working with the faculty in our fight for a fair contract. I also organized meetings with department reps, department chairs, and student leaders, so I am very aware of issues affecting all stakeholders of the university.” Jacobs said she will also hold firm on her belief that student fees should not be increased. “I do not support student fee raises,” Jacobs said. “I chose to come to a (California State University) campus, rather than a (University of California) campus, because of the student population.

We have diverse students, who are often the first in their family to get a college degree. I believe that?fee increases make higher education inaccessible for many in our community.”

Assistant Professor of sociology Kevin Wehr, who was nominated by Jacobs and is currently running unopposed for the position of vice president, said he is willing to work with either candidate.

“I will work with the entire executive board of the union, no matter who is elected,” Wehr said. “Though we may disagree on the direction the union should go, I believe that collegiality and reasonableness should always be our priorities.”

Wehr said several issues need to be addressed by the CFA and its members.

“First, we have a new contract, and we must make sure that the contract is enforced,” Wehr said. “Secondly, there are continuing battles to ensure that we offer a quality education to the public, and that this education is accessible. There are continual attacks on student accessibility to the CSU system, most recently in the exorbitant fee increases. Thirdly, I want to increase the CFA’s participation in our campus culture.”

Wehr said he would also like to see the union improve the campus climate by sponsoring educational forums, social events, lectures and other activities that will contribute to the educational process and intellectual spirit of the community.

Canton said it’s time for younger members of the faculty to take over.

“I feel it is a great time to allow younger faculty members to take responsibility,” Canton said. “A lot of them have shown interest?.I think it’s their time.”

Other candidates include assistant professor of multi-ethnic literatures Helen Lee-Keller, who is running unopposed for the position of treasurer and assistant biology professor Winton Lancaster, who is running unopposed for the position of secretary. A number of other Sac State faculty members are also running for representative positions.

Candidates who are running unopposed need only one vote, said a CFA official.

Voting began last week and will continue through Friday. The results are scheduled to be announced next week.

Ashley Evans can be reached at [email protected]