AB 1831
AB 1831 would set reasonable limits on the compensation of chancellors, executive presidents, and other members of the management staff in CSUs.
Current Situation
Recent state budget cuts and concerns about the multi-billion dollar deficit the CSU system faces have increased scrutiny about wage disparity and proper money management in CSUs.
- In 2023, the CSU Board of Trustees approved a multi-year tuition increase that will cause student tuition in 2028-29 to be 30% higher than in 2024-25.
- In 2025, CSU denied the promised salary step increases to CSU Employees Union members, citing state cuts to CSU funding.
- Yet, in November 2025, the CSU Board of Trustees approved raises for university presidents.
- In January 2026, they also approved raises for vice chancellors.
This has led to a community outcry as it seems clear who the priority in the CSU system is.
“It’s so tone-deaf to be giving massive salary increases and performance pay bonuses in the same budget that you have a multi-billion dollar deficit, in the same budget that you are cutting classes and cutting sections and raising tuition.”
How AB 1831 Will Change the CSU Landscape
This bill will restrict CSU executive management pay to within 125% of the Governor’s salary. This means a cap of $307,000, a significant decrease for management earning over $500,000 a year. This will help significantly reduce the pay disparity between lower and higher-wage employees.
AB 1931 will also forbid executive management increases in years when student tuition is raised. Under this assumption, CSU management would be ineligible for an increase until 2029, the last year of the approved multi-year student tuition increase.
This bill will also require the CSU Board of Trustees to repeal the November 2025 salary increases for CSU executive management on or before July 1, 2027.
