FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2024

Contact:
Miya Haley
Cal State Student Association
Email: mshaley@calstate.edu

 

California State Student Association Passes Resolution #2024-01 Calling for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Strip and West Bank

LONG BEACH, CA — The Cal State Student Association (CSSA), representing nearly half a million students across the California State University (CSU) system, has officially passed Resolution #2024-01, calling for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, condemning human rights violations and war crimes, and reaffirming the students’ freedom of speech and expression.

This resolution, sponsored by Maysem Awadalla (Fullerton) and co-sponsored by representatives from Chico, San Jose, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles, was approved on April 6, 2024, amidst increasing violence and humanitarian crises in the region. The resolution reflects CSSA’s deep commitment to social justice, educational equity, and human rights.

Key points of the resolution include:

• Calling for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to ensure the safe return of all hostages and unjustly detained civilians.
• Condemning the significant loss of innocent lives and the destruction affecting civilians, including children, hospitals, and educational institutions.
• Demanding the protection of human rights as stated by international laws and United Nations resolutions.
• Urging for the provision of humanitarian aid and access to all affected areas to prevent further casualties and alleviate suffering.
• Standing against the suppression of freedom of speech amidst the crisis, recognizing the rights of students and faculty to express their opinions and organize peacefully.

The CSSA’s resolution also addresses the broader impact of the conflict on student populations, highlighting the spread of misinformation and the rise in Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. It calls for respectful dialogue and community support during these challenging times.

CSSA President, Dominic Quan Treseler, stated, “As representatives of one of the largest student bodies in the nation, it is our responsibility to advocate for peace and justice both locally and globally. This resolution is a testament to our commitment to supporting our students and standing in solidarity with all those affected by the ongoing conflict.”

An electronic copy of the resolution has been distributed to all 23 CSU campuses, as well as key national and state leaders, urging them to support these crucial humanitarian efforts.

For more information on CSSA’s Resolution #2024-01 and other initiatives, please visit calstatestudents.org.

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Thank you Chair Fong, and good afternoon Trustees, university Presidents, Chancellor Garcia and distinguished guests. It is with great pleasure that I extend a special welcome to Chancellor Garcia as she steps into her new role. The relationship between CSSA and the CSU Chancellor is vital, and it is my hope that our collaborative efforts will enrich our mutual understanding and foster initiatives that drive student success.

I am delighted to announce that Joe Nino has been selected as the CSSA’s Executive Director. Joe’s experience as the Assistant Director of Government Affairs at CSU Long Beach State and his academic achievements as a two-time graduate of Cal State Long Beach equip him with the expertise to lead the CSSA with a forward-thinking vision. Joe is made in the CSU and his history as a student leader and former Chair of CSSA gives him unique insights into our organization. We are grateful he has chosen to return to CSSA in this role and look forward to his leadership.

Before I present my formal report, I must express profound gratitude to Mary Washington for her outstanding leadership as our Interim Executive Director. Her guidance has been a beacon of resilience, providing stability and inspiration during challenging times for our organization. As Mary transitions to her new role as the CSSA Director of Government Relations, we eagerly look forward to her continued mentorship and insight.

CSSA represents the nearly half a million students in the CSU and serves as the official voice of CSU students to the California State Legislature and CSU Board of Trustees. It is an honor to provide this report on their behalf.

Since our last meeting, the CSSA has convened two plenary sessions where members deliberated on the pressing issues that will steer our efforts in the upcoming year, with a strong focus on enhancing student support.

Our October plenary, conducted virtually, was a pivotal moment where the Board voted to adopt the CSSA’s 2024 Policy Agenda. This agenda, crafted with extensive input from students and governing members, prioritizes the total cost of attendance, access to quality wellness and mental health services, academic success, and fostering inclusive student engagement within the CSU community.

This policy agenda will guide our work for the next year. As we continue to engage with partners in and outside of the CSU, we look forward to identifying innovative and enhanced ways to best support our students.

We were excited to be back in person this last weekend for our November plenary, hosted by Cal Maritime. I’d like to thank ASI President Ryan Okama and Interim President Dumont for hosting us. While we were there for business, a highlight for many was being able tour the campus, ride on some of the small boats and experience the Golden Bear Ship Simulator. I also want to extend a sincere thank you to Associate Vice Chancellor Jennifer Bazille to discuss GI 2025 and Director Jessica Wolin from the Center of Equitable Higher Education at CSULB to discuss the affordable housing crisis with our board of directors. These discussions were highly productive, and we appreciated the chance to contribute our voice and expertise to such significant dialogues. We are now looking forward with anticipation to our January plenary at Cal Poly.

I also want to thank Deputy Vice Chancellor Dilcie Perez for inviting CSSA to attend the GI 2025 symposium and myself to contribute to the Doing the Work Panel. The insights gained there have been invaluable, and we are committed to working collaboratively toward the common goal of equitable student success.

The process for selecting the 2024/2026 CSU Student Trustee is currently underway, with applications being accepted through the end of January 2023. We encourage interested students to apply via our website, calstatestudents.org. I would like to thank Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins of Chico State, who has been elected to chair this crucial committee, overseeing the search for our next student representative.

During the recent plenary sessions, governing members highlighted the importance of student engagement in the NAGPRA implementation process. To this end, the Board of Directors has unanimously approved recommendations to ensure student and Native American representation in this process at the Chancellor’s Office and across all CSU campuses, reflecting a commitment to shared governance. These recommendations advocate for the inclusion of student members on all campus NAGPRA committees, not just the 11 that currently exist, and call for the formation of such committees on campuses that lack them, regardless of the number of Native American remains and cultural items they possess.

The Board also seeks to guarantee that Native American Resource Centers and Native American students are involved in the NAGPRA committees to ethically steer the implementation of audit recommendations, including the identification of remains and cultural items. Moreover, it is urged that Native American individuals be appointed to key roles responsible for executing the Repatriation Implementation Plan, supervising campus activities, and providing systemwide training.

Lastly, the recommendations include a stipulation that campus NAGPRA committees must review and approve their operational budgets in line with their Repatriation Implementation Plan before these are forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office. The Board looks forward to a cooperative effort with the Chancellor’s Office and CSU campuses as they begin to act on these audit recommendations.

The past year has been incredibly successful on the legislative front for CSSA. We are thrilled to report that every bill we endorsed, which made its way to the Governor’s desk, has been signed into law. Notably, we co-sponsored AB 789, championed by Assemblymember Berman, aimed at removing barriers hindering students from maintaining their financial aid. This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and effectiveness of our student advocates.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Newsom for his continued support of students, without which these victories would not have been possible. As the legislative session takes a recess, our students are actively engaging in advocacy efforts in preparation for the Governor’s January budget proposal.

Our primary focus remains on ensuring full funding for both the CSU and Cal Grant Reform, as these are our top priorities moving forward.

Lastly, while we understand the complexities surrounding the salary negotiations between the CFA and the CSU and stand in support of equitable compensation for our faculty, we earnestly request that the impact on students be a central consideration in your strategies.

The prospect of a strike has brought a considerable amount of uncertainty and anxiety to our student body, particularly regarding the potential jeopardy of their financial aid and academic progression. Furthermore, we appeal to both the CFA and the CSU administration to intensify efforts towards reaching a fair agreement. It is imperative that this situation is resolved before it leads to consequences that could harm the student community we all serve.

As the holiday season approaches, I extend my warmest wishes to everyone for a joyous and restful period. To our students, I offer encouragement for the finals ahead and hope for a rejuvenating break.

Thank you, Chair Fong. This concludes my report.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       PRESS STATEMENT

July 11, 2023

Contact: Miya Haley

Media Relations Manager

Email: mshaley@calstate.edu

CAL STATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION OPPOSES THE PROPOSED 6% TUITION INCREASE

 

Long Beach, CA – The California State Student Association (CSSA) acknowledges the weight of fiscal responsibility and the necessity of providing access to education for all students. As the representative voice of the students, we express deep concern over the proposed 6% tuition increase by California State University (CSU), the nation’s largest and most diverse university system.

Despite understanding the university’s need to address revenue challenges, we believe the proposal does not serve the best interest of students, particularly considering the current financial strain and declining enrollment. The suggested increase is considerably higher than the average Higher Education Price Index of the past three years (3.25%), and it threatens to burden students, especially those struggling with the pandemic aftermath and escalating living costs. The proposal lacks measurable outcomes, a clear termination date, and fails to articulate plans for generating other revenue sources.

The CSSA is also troubled by the proposal’s disregard for students’ total cost of attendance beyond tuition and fees and its neglect of financial aid and basic needs. Approximately 60% of CSU students depend heavily on financial aid, making an all-encompassing Cal Grant Reform critical. We urge the institution and students to lobby for the inclusion of this reform in the upcoming state budget. The proposal’s indifference to providing resources for essential needs like food, housing, and healthcare contradicts its mission to serve students.

Concerns also extend to the potential future shortfall of the Pell Grant, which supports nearly half of the system’s undergraduates. By 2028, the proposed tuition increase is projected to exceed the Pell Grant’s financial support, exacerbating the financial burden on our most vulnerable students.

The CSSA firmly opposes the indefinite tuition increase proposal set for discussion at the forthcoming Committee on Finance meeting. We strongly urge the CSU to reconsider this proposal and account for our highlighted concerns.

We remain committed to maintaining a dialogue with the Chancellor’s Office and the Board to address these issues. Together, we believe we can navigate these challenges, uphold our shared values, and secure a prosperous future for all CSU students.

 

 

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The 2021/2022 Cal State Student Association Executive Officers unveil the 2021/2022 Policy Agenda created by and for CSU Students.

Dear Partners,

The COVID-19 Pandemic has left lasting impacts on not only our CSU system, but all of higher education. From shifting the lives of our students to rattling the foundation of our pedagogy, it was clear to me from the start of my term that the future of our system required re-invention. In line with this, I created the CSSA 2.0 initiative to lead an organization-wide re-evaluation and restructure of our processes and I am proud to report that CSSA has emerged from this crisis redesigned and rededicated to best support student success. This year, in recognition of the hiring of the inaugural Associate Director and in line with the CSSA 2.0 initiative, I authorized a new process and structure for the creation of the 2022 Policy Agenda. This new process is not only more actionable, it is more responsive to the needs of our students and more reflective of the role CSSA plans to play as a partner in thought, execution, and evaluation of future initiatives.

The priorities and goals outlined in this policy agenda are a reflection of the future of our system envisioned by our students. Gone are the days of defining our student experience by ramen meals and mental breakdowns. In its place is the need to center our students’ holistic wellbeing and create institutions truly supportive of our resilient students. As a result, this policy agenda addresses the diverse issues impacting our students, from affordability of classroom materials to systemwide sustainability efforts. In this, CSSA remains committed to addressing systemic inequities, recognizing the disproportionate burden our minoritized students hold in their efforts to succeed.

This year CSSA will take on this robust policy agenda with an aim to expand necessary infrastructures and better orient the CSU system towards a more inclusive and equitable education. In doing so, it is my goal to cement CSSA as not only the official voice of all CSU students, but also the leading voice for students nationwide.

Isaac Alferos
Cal State Student Association President (2021/2022)

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Priority 1

Address the Total Cost of Attendance for CSU Students

Priority 2

Ensure students have access to high quality wellness and mental health support services

Priority 3

Ensure the academic success and holistic educational experience of all CSU students

Priority 4

Ensure students are regarded as equal stakeholders within the CSU
community

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Priority #1: Ensure access to housing, food, financial, wellness resources, and technology resources for all CSU students

The COVID-19 pandemic and virtual environment we are in has continued to shed light on systemic and historical inequities that our students face, including food and housing insecurity, lack of access to mental health resources, physical dangers within their surrounding areas, and lack of access to quality technological resources. CSSA will be advocating for:

• Increased access to basic needs resources including:
• Food and housing resources,
• Mental health resources throughout the entire academic year,
• Technological resources including access to laptops, hot spots, and reliable internet access,
• Access to transportation services,
• Reciprocity access to Basic Needs Resources and food pantries at the campus nearest CSU students.
• Addressing student financial needs given the pandemic and looming recession:
• Increased access to virtual economic opportunities for students, particularly those students who were furloughed, and
• Economic relief packages for students in the forms of grants and scholarships.

Priority #2: Foster inclusive virtual learning practices that ensure the academic and holistic success of all CSU students.

Students have faced numerous academic challenges since the transition to virtual instruction and student support services. Policies in the CSU and across all campuses should be updated to reflect the obstacles of technology access and resource access. CSSA will be advocating for:

• Addressing student concerns relative to zoom dynamics (camera and privacy concerns, etc.), shared understanding between faculty and student’s well being and personal circumstances, and practical workloads
• Grading policies for students during virtual instruction such as: credit/no credit options, academic grievances, grade appeals, etc.
• Addressing test proctoring issues particular as it relates to privacy concerns and impacts to students with disabilities
• Continued professional development for faculty and student support services staff with an emphasis on social and emotional training for faculty
• Access to safe campuses spaces to study and access to Wi-Fi/Eduroam at the campus closest to them
• Ensuring the success of our graduates for life in a post-pandemic workforce
• Online Programs/Software that amplify programming for campus resources and centers to build community

Priority #3: Ensure the health and safety of the campus community

CSSA recognizes the importance of the health and safety of all members of the CSU community and the populations that are most at risk. CSSA will advocate for:

• Prioritizing the health and safety of faculty/staff/students who are on campus currently and when we return to campus by ensuring access to personal protective equipment and access to COVID-19 vaccines when they are readily available.

Priority #4: Ensure governance laws meet the needs of a virtual work space

CSSA operates by and advocates for a number of policies, procedures, and governance laws to support student development, success, and transparency. The transition to a virtual environment has shed light on the need to modernize and advocate for increased transparency and accountability. CSSA will work on and advocate for:

• Reviewing the CSSA Constitution and Policies and Procedures documents to reflect changes to a virtual and hybrid work space
• Ensuring compliance with the Gloria Romero Open Meetings Act and identify ways to modernize the law to meet the virtual environment
• Ensuring students are consulted on the budgeting process, particularly as it relates to cuts
• Transparency in the use of student fees across the CSU

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