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The California State Chancellor has announced a new advisory position for outgoing San Bernardino California State President Thomas Morales, who resigned after being sued for discrimination and harassment. Cal State settles out of court for $12 million. Next year, Morales will advise international education programs at a salary of $343,920.
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The president of California State University, who resigned after reaching a multimillion-dollar settlement in a lawsuit accusing him of gender-based discrimination and harassment, will earn a six-figure salary next year while holding two positions at California State University.
During the transition period, former California State President Thomas Morales will provide international counsel to the State of California and work to strengthen of international initiatives Mr the university’s global alliances.
Morales announced his intention to leave last August and officially left the university at the end of this academic year to join an executive transition program in which he will receive $343,920 for one year beginning in August. That salary is typical for California state officials who participate in the program, according to state Chancellor Mildred Garcia, who announced Morales’ temporary appointment at a board of trustees meeting Wednesday.
The board of trustees also unanimously awarded Morales the title of president emeritus on Wednesday afternoon, a title given as a gesture of appreciation for his service to the university.
Morales and Jake Zhu, former dean of the Palm Desert campus in San Bernardino, were accused of gender discrimination, harassment and retaliation in a 2023 lawsuit. California State University recently allowed for $12 million. Claire Webber and Anissa Rogers, both former San Bernardino administrators, claimed they were ordered to resign after reporting a gender pay gap and discriminatory harassment to their superiors.
The state of California continues to deny any wrongdoing and has determined that Morales was inside ruler, making you eligible for the transition program. Executives can stay disabled if the chancellor finds that they have violated the rules of the university or have committed serious violations.
Weber, who claims she was fired weeks after asking Morales for a raise via email to close what she called the gender pay gap, said the former president should no longer be in good standing.
Male California state employees “are protected when they misbehave, when they mistreat women, when they harass them, when they retaliate against them,” Weber said. “The tendency is to protect the university.”
Morales’ office did not respond to a request for comment.
Morales and the new campus president continue to have high incomes.
During the one-year transition period, Morales must submit a monthly report to the chancellor detailing “activities and achievements,” according to a board of directors document.
“President Thomas Morales has served Cal State San Bernardino with distinction for 14 years, demonstrating exceptional leadership on behalf of the university and its students,” Garcia said at the meeting.
Morales will also provide guidance and support to the new California State San Bernardino President, S. Terry Gomez, Garcia said at the meeting. Gomez, current vice president and vice president for academic affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, will take over on August 3.
The committee approved an annual salary of $426,916, an annual housing allowance of $60,000 and an additional car allowance of $1,000 per month for Gomez when he takes office.
According to the latest data available fromTransparent California, Gómez earned $338,255 base salary in 2024.
In 2024, 69 of Cal State’s 118,843 employees earned a salary higher than $343,920, according to Office of the State Comptroller. Morales’ salary was $527,834 in 2024, the sixth highest in the California State system, trailing only the chancellor and four other campus presidents. The average university salary in 2024 was $39,870, according to the same service.
The San Bernardino chapter of the California Association of Educators union asked yesterday to the state of California, via a social media post, to launch an investigation into university administrators who perpetuate gender-based discrimination and who denied benefits to Morales’ executive director.
Morales’ transitional appointment will run from August 3, 2026 to August 2, 2027. During this period, Morales will transition to Personnel management plan, which will give him the job rights and benefits of university managers and supervisors, according to California State spokeswoman Amy Bentley-Smith.
Bentley-Smith did not respond to a request for comment on the position Morales will hold after the transition period, which had to be decided in advance, according to 2022 Board Agenda Item which describes the policy.
“We are deeply grateful for President Morales’ outstanding leadership at Cal State San Bernardino and throughout the university system,” Garcia said at Wednesday’s meeting.
None of the board committee members had comments or questions after Garcia’s announcement.
Phoebe Huss contributes to the College Journalism Network, a joint initiative of CalMatters and student journalists from across California. CalMatters’ coverage of higher education is supported by a grant from the College Futures Foundation.
