Following his handling of the proposed natural history museum on campus, officials called for an examination of Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez’s leadership and integrity.

In a letter sent to California State University Chancellor Charles Reed and the CSU Board of Trustees, the senate questioned whether faculty and students can be assured Gonzalez will exhibit the leadership necessary for Sac State.

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee asked the chancellor and the trustees to look into the scrutiny as a result of the criticism Gonzalez was subjected to after signing letters in his support of hunting Tanzanian animals, some of which have been classified as critically endangered species. Faculty Senate Chair Bruce Bikle said the letter is not a request for Gonzalez to leave. “This letter should not be taken as a resumption of the difficulties from last spring,” Bikle said. “Instead, it addresses a concern about (Sac State) and the community.” The senate asked that after these concerns are investigated, the chancellor and the trustees share their findings with the campus community and their plan to restore confidence in Sac State’s leadership and its importance to the Sacramento area. Bikle said since the faculty’s vote of no-confidence in Gonzalez last spring, significant progress was made. “The faculty and Gonzalez have been working things out,” he said. “We have made improvements in budget, planning and other areas that will improve the relationship between faculty and the administration.” The Faculty Senate plans to discuss the letter at its meeting at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the Foothill Suite of the University Union. Calls to Gonzalez’s office were not returned.

Michael Calvillo can be reached at [email protected].