Professor offers university advice

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 9, 1998

Walking into the classroom has provided the greatest joy to him, CSULB history professor David Bernstein said Thursday at the 17th Legacy Lecture.

"I haven't been more nervous since my bar mitzvah," Bernstein said to an audience of colleagues, past students, administration and faculty members in the Center for Faculty Development.

Every semester, the legacy lecturer is chosen by a Faculty Development Center committee after reviewing letters from faculty recommending colleagues whom they feel should be recognized for their impact upon the campus.

After an interview process, the speaker is selected.

"I am very honored to be chosen," Bernstein said.

Bernstein said it was a frightening to think about the impact he has had on the campus.

"One wonders what kind of legacy anyone has at an institution this large," Bernstein said.

His personal reflections led him to realize how fortunate he has been, Bernstein said in his lecture.

The values his parents gave him, close friends, children, good relationships with his in-laws, seeing Jackie Robinson and hearing Dr. Martin Luther King speak were reasons why he feels blessed, Bernstein said.

Rather than focusing on his own legacy, Bernstein said he wanted to offer his advice on how to improve the university.

However, he said he was not going to discuss parking, bookstore prices or the salary debate.

Bernstein suggested that all faculty should reside in two-person offices as it is an efficient use of space and meaningful relationships can be forged. Bernstein said he has had the same officemate, Jack Stewart, for the past 31 years.

Resurrecting the student noon activity hour was another one of Bernstein's recommendations. Setting aside one hour per week would allow students to schedule meetings without missing class and would increase the sense of community, Bernstein said.

If given the opportunity, Bernstein said he would make every effort to give security to non-tenured faculty, who he believes are a valuable resource and an important part of the campus environment.

Bernstein stressed the importance of reinforcing EOP. In the euphoria over the President's Scholars, he said that EOP is being neglected. The university has a responsibility to educate the disadvantaged, Bernstein said.

There is also a need for the faculty to understand the importance of university athletics and that they can coexist with academics, Bernstein said.

Bernstein received his doctorate in history from Rutgers University. He began teaching at CSULB in 1967 and at this time, he said he has no definite plans for retiring

The Legacy Lecture next semester will be given by Pat Finot of the dance department.