Farber cleans up after 40 years

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

If Long Beach's marinas are looking better than usual, partial credit goes to Stuart Farber, director of Student Life and Development at Cal State Long Beach.

Farber was recently elected vice chair to the City of Long Beach Marine Advisory Committee, which is responsible for the maintenance and upgrades of Alamitos Bay Marina and the Long Beach Marina.

Farber recently finished his 40th year at CSULB. After coming to the school as a football and track coach and a health teacher, Farber moved into administration as an assistant dean in 1970.

An assortment of positions followed, including director of Student Life and Development, development officer of the Associated Business Students Organizational Council and adviser to the Student Senate, but he is especially pleased by his recent return to the classroom.

"I'm teaching an upper-division class on human resource management and it's something I'm enjoying very much," Farber said. "I'm drawing on my experience in management, administration, higher education, leadership, motivation, and business culture."

Farber, who was already serving on the committee after being appointed by Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill, enjoys serving on the committee because of the marina's importance.

"I think the overall impression people have of Long Beach is what we have by the ocean," said Farber, who was born and raised in Long Beach. "The main attractiveness of the city is found in the Queen Mary, the marinas and the beaches."

Farber's most recent committee accomplishment was the request and subsequent approval of a $43.5 million loan for the repair and upgrade of the Alamitos Bay Marina.

"The money will go to the repair of boat slips, docks, gang ways, bulk heads and an overall improvement of the marina," Farber said.

According to the committee's August report, recent significant accomplishments include the removal of 447,000 tons of trash and debris from the beaches, preparing for a Democratic National Committee Picnic during the Los Angeles Convention and installing volleyball courts for future professional tournaments.

Farber does not have aspirations for higher office because he feels he can get things done where he is.

"I enjoy working at the commission level because it is more service oriented, rather than politically oriented," Farber said. "We have the staff and resources to evaluate what needs to be done, and the power to accomplish it."