Tomas Morales, the outgoing president of California State University, San Bernardino, has been approved for a one-year executive transition assignment that will pay him $343,920. The decision by the California State University Board of Trustees comes months after the university system paid $12 million to settle a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and harassment during Morales' tenure.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by former administrators Clare Weber and Anissa Rogers, accused Morales of fostering a toxic work environment where gender discrimination and harassment were "standard operating procedure." The suit also alleged Morales directed "ranting" tirades at female employees and approved lower salaries for women compared to similarly situated male colleagues. The California State University system denied wrongdoing in settling the lawsuit in March, stating the resolution was intended "to avoid further costs of litigation."
Morales and the CSU Board of Trustees denied the allegations in court filings. Rogers was awarded $6 million by a jury in October 2025, and Weber accepted a separate $6 million settlement before trial.
Andrew Friedman, an attorney representing Weber and Rogers, criticized the university's decision, stating, "CSU has a significant problem when it comes to dealing with gender discrimination and harassment and retaliation, and we’ve seen nothing to date to show that it’s taking this issue seriously."
During the Board of Trustees meeting where Morales' assignment was approved, CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia reportedly praised Morales for his "outstanding leadership at Cal State San Bernardino and systemwide." A CSU spokeswoman, Amy Bentley-Smith, told the Los Angeles Times that the lawsuit did not result in findings against Morales individually and that "litigation outcomes do not determine an employee’s standing." The university stated that Morales remains in "good standing," making him eligible for the executive transition program, which it defends as a way to recruit top executives and preserve institutional knowledge.
Morales had announced his plan to step down at the end of the 2025-26 academic year before the lawsuit was settled. According to Transparent California, Morales received $655,626 in salary and benefits in 2024.
Faculty leaders also expressed dismay over the payout. Tiffany Jones, President of the California Faculty Association San Bernardino chapter, called the decision a "stunning failure of accountability and a direct betrayal of students, faculty, and staff." She added that "At a time when campuses face budget constraints, staffing shortages, and growing student needs, CSU resources must not be used to provide a financial cushion for failed leadership."