They're Talking On Campus.

. . .About the Cal State University system dropping more than 6 percent of last year's freshman class—about 2,000 students—for failing to learn basic English and math skills in their first year of classes.

The system's Board of Trustees has directed the university to reduce remedial education to no more than 10 percent of freshmen by 2007.

The students who were dropped were told to go to a community college to prepare for the university's placement tests in math and English.

. . .About a proposal from Boston University's provost that professors be in their campus offices at least four days a week.

The provost, who worked out the plan with a faculty group, also proposed that professors who do less research and writing than their colleagues should do more teaching and service and that, if professors can't prove they're doing their fair share, they should be reduced to part-time status.

. . .About a pledge by top research universities to provide fairer treatment for female faculty members in science and engineering.

The pledge was one result of a conference that brought together leaders of nine top research universities and 25 women professors, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The goals set by the universities: a faculty whose diversity reflects that of the student body; equity and full participation for women faculty; a profession where those with family responsibilities aren't disadvantaged.