The Zombie AVPocalypse
Updated: Feb 17, 2022
SDSU and the CSU always claim that they have “no money” to hire faculty or departmental staff, support PhD programs, give decent raises, pay graduate students a decent wage (or even make sure students don’t go hungry on campus).
But do you know what SDSU has PLENTY of money for? Managers! Lots and LOTS of managers. The increase in the number of managers since 2015 at SDSU (Associate Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors and more) is astonishing – it’s like the Night of the Living Managerial Bloat! These senior managers make significantly more money (and benefits) than faculty or staff. In many cases, SDSU could have hired 3 faculty instead of 1 manager. And what do they do all day? Think up new fees for students? Decide on how to spend even more money on a football stadium? Plan more meetings? We’re not sure but we know what they are NOT doing. They are not teaching classes, building affordable housing for students, or improving working conditions.
Using SDSU’s own organizational info from 2015 and 2020, we counted how many new positions were created in departments across the campus. It was already outrageous in 2015, but 2020 was a complete Zombie Manager AVPocalypse. And we aren’t even counting additional support staff. Read it, and weep for Higher Education.
2015 Student Affairs:
AVP for Admin
AVP for Campus Life
AVP for Student Services
Asst VP for Tech Services (now in Info Tech, see below)
Dean of Students
19 Directors and an Ombudsman!
2020 Student Affairs: 2 new AVPs, new IV Dean, 2 new Asst VPs, new Assoc CDO
AVP for Health, Wellbeing, and Accessibility
AVP for Faculty & Staff Diversity
AVP for Finance and Operations
AVP for Campus and Community Partnerships
AVP and Dean of Students
IV Dean of Students
Asst VP for Community and Belonging
Asst VP for Student Financial Management
Assoc Chief Diversity Officer
FYI, Chief Diversity Officer wrapped into VP position now; in 2015 SDSU had a Chief Diversity Officer in Prez office
PLUS all the DIRECTORS.
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2015 Grad & Research Affairs:
VP for Research & Grad Dean (one person)
1 Dean, 1 Assoc Dean, 1 Asst Dean, 1 Director
2020 Research and Innovations: VP split into two positions: VP, Grad Dean; 4 new AVPs, 1 new Asst VP, new Exec Director, new Director
VP for Research and Innovation
AVP for Research and Innovation
AVP for Research Advancement
AVP for Research Operations
Asst VP for Research Support Services
Director of Undergrad Research
Exec Director of ZIP Launchpad
AVP of SDSU Research Foundation (in 2015, this was Exec Director of SDSU Research Foundation)
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In 2015 Info Tech was not its own unit. Searching by names for 2015 finds the following:
Director ITS
Asst VP of Student Affairs Tech Services
Director Student Affairs Tech Services
IT Security Officer (and Director of Employee Relations and Compliance? Can't tell if separate)
Director Univ Computer Operations
2020 Info Tech: New VP, 2 new AVPs, 1 new Asst VP, 3 new Directors, IT Officer now Chief Officer
VP and CIO
Chief Data Architect
AVP of Enterprise Info Systems
Director of Finance and Admin
Chief Info Security Officer
AVP for Learning Tech and Environs
Senior Director of Networking and P3 Partnerships
Asst VP of Research Cyberinfrastructre
Director of Web Services and Infrastructure
No other Directors listed (e.g., there is still Director ITS, not sure what else)
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2015 Office of Provost:
AVP for Academic Affairs
AVP for Enrollment Management
AVP Faculty Affairs
Director of IR
Assoc Director Enrollment
Director Admissions
Director Advising
Director Curriculum
Registrar
Asst VP International Programs
2020 Academic Affairs has Provost: 1 new AVP, 2 new Asst VPs, and a new Director
Vice Provost
Director Resource Management
AVP Assessment, Accreditation, and Curriculum
AVP Enrollment Services
AVP Faculty Advancement and Student Success
AVP International Affairs
Asst VP IR
Asst VP Academic Labor Relations
No directors listed
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Even the President’s office higher administration has doubled:
2015 President and Chief of Staff
2020 President, Chief of Staff, Special Asst, and Executive Asst/Office Manager