As we come to terms with the outcome of the national election, many in our community may feel disappointment and apprehension about the direction our country is headed. This is a challenging time, and we recognize the concerns about what this outcome may mean for the civil rights, freedoms, and protections that matter so deeply to so many of us.

The Cal State Student Association has always stood—and will continue to stand—for equity, inclusivity, freedom, and justice. We are unwavering in our commitment to these values, especially in moments of uncertainty. We know that safeguarding these principles is not limited to any one election; it’s a continuous effort fueled by our actions, advocacy, and solidarity with each other.

While the path forward may be difficult, we are not alone. As students and a CSU community, we will work together to champion the rights and liberties we believe in. We must continue to speak up, engage in our communities, and remain a source of support and fortitude for one another.

Together, we will continue building a future that reflects our highest ideals. While the fight for true visibility on a national scale continues, I encourage you all to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. At the same time, let’s recognize the positive outcomes of elections that align with CSSA’s goals and mission. These include important wins, such as several states voting to protect women’s health and well-being, and removing exclusionary language from the California state constitution.

However, I want this message to be clear to those who may doubt the collective power and resilience of the students in the largest and most diverse university system in the United States: Students will not be backed into a corner of fear and hostility as our rights and freedoms remain in jeopardy. Students in the CSU and across this state will remain the nation’s model for bright, determined, and civically engaged members of society – uplifting the rich history of student voices.

With love to our Student Community,

Iese Esera

President, Cal State Student Association

Support for undocumented students: https://www.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students

Mental Health and Wellness Resources: https://www.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/Pages/mental-health-services.aspx

 

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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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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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Thank you, Chair Fong. Good morning Trustees, university Presidents, Chancellor Koester, and all gathered today.

My name is Dominic Quan Treseler, and I have the distinct privilege of serving as the President of the Cal State Student Association (CSSA). My journey in student advocacy extends over two years at my home campus, San Jose State, enriched by invaluable experiences gained while serving my community within the local offices of my congressional and state representatives. Today, it is an honor to represent our diverse student community from across the CSU system. With me stand the dedicated and passionate 2023/2024 CSSA Executive Officers:

Our Chair, Varenya Gupta, is entering his second term in this role. Varenya, a Computer Science major at San Luis Obispo, provides strong and consistent leadership.

Our Vice President of Systemwide Affairs, Genesis Galilea Pompa from Cal Poly Pomona, ensures our actions are always in the best interests of the entire CSU system, leveraging her vast knowledge and expertise. Galilea started her journey in advocacy by serving on her ASI election committee chair and going on to serve as Secretary of External Affairs.

Our Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Samantha Alvarez Chavarria from Dominguez Hills, tirelessly advocates for the rights and needs of our students at the legislative level. They began their career in advocacy as a legislative affairs ASI intern on their campus which led to them becoming Director of legislative affairs the following year.

Lastly, our Vice President of Finance, Alex Cruz also from Cal Poly Pomona. His attention to our fiscal responsibilities is instrumental in promoting the welfare of CSU students. Last year Alex had the opportunity to serve as treasurer for his ASI and hopes to one day teach as a professor on a CSU campus.

We are also thrilled to welcome Genesis Jara (HA-RA) to the role of Assistant Director of Systemwide Affairs. Her extensive experience, including serving as a field representative for United States Congressman, Robert Garcia, and her involvement with Long Beach State and CSSA, will be invaluable to our mission.

I would also like to introduce Mary Washington, our Interim Executive Director. Unfortunately, Mary was not able to join us today, as she is in Sacramento, however, Mary brings a wealth of leadership experience from her role as Assistant Director of Government Relations for CSSA. We believe Mary’s tenure, albeit temporary, will have a profound, lasting impact on CSSA and the broader CSU community.

In her role, Mary will provide essential leadership as we navigate the recruitment process for a permanent Executive Director. We are determined to find an individual who will maintain our high standards and guide us into the future with vision and a commitment to serving our students.

Congratulations to Trustee Jonathan Molina Mancio and Trustee Darlene Yee on their recent appointments to the Board. We look forward to collaborating with you to further enhance our CSU students’ lives.

I wish to express my gratitude to Trustees Linares and Sabalius for their tireless dedication to the CSU. Your welcoming and supportive attitudes have made a significant difference, and we eagerly await your future contributions to our communities.

The CSSA represents nearly half a million students in the CSU and serves as their official voice to the California State Legislature and the CSU Board of Trustees. On their behalf, I am honored to provide this report.

This past weekend, CSSA hosted our July orientation and our first Board of Directors meeting for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Over the coming months, our board will work diligently to identify our policy agenda for the upcoming year, addressing critical issues such as affordable housing, the total cost of attendance, and Financial Aid Reform.

Recent Supreme Court decisions impacting affirmative action, first amendment LGBTQIA protections, and student loan debt have raised significant concerns about their potential effects on our students. Nonetheless, CSSA remains committed to increasing diversity, protecting students of all backgrounds, and ensuring the affordability of the CSU system.

We are also acutely aware of the need for balance between fiscal responsibility and maintaining access to education for all students. While it is indeed a great honor to serve as the representative voice of the students, the weight of this role compels me to raise a pressing concern over CSU’s proposed tuition increase.

As the largest and most diverse university system in our nation, the CSU serves our state’s most underserved and vulnerable populations, and has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for upward mobility for these communities, the state, and the nation. However, the proposed 6% tuition increase comes at a time when students are grappling with an unprecedented rise in the total cost of basic needs, a financial aid crisis, and declining enrollment. This proposal undermines the CSU’s fundamental tenets to “transform lives and drive California’s economy.”

We understand that the system is facing unprecedented revenue challenges with state funding and tuition being its two primary revenue sources. However, this proposal does not serve the best interest of students. The average Higher Education Price Index over the past three years has been 3.25%. Proposing an increase of 6% , in our view, is staggering, disproportionate and will burden students, many of whom are still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic and rising costs of living. An increase in tuition this high will inevitably prolong students’ graduation timelines and result in first-generation students paying almost 40% more to graduate than when they started. Students should not bear an inequitable burden of addressing revenue shortfalls for the system, especially when the proposal does not clearly articulate how the system will work to generate other revenue sources.

We also find the proposal troubling due to its lack of measurable outcomes. We firmly believe that any such significant tuition increase must include clearly defined targets that articulate the expected improvements in student services, campus facilities, or educational resources. The absence of such quantifiable targets in the proposal calls into question the direct benefits this increase would bring to our students.

Moreover, the CSU has not indicated a clear end date for this proposal, effectively giving students a three-month notice on a proposal that could continue indefinitely.  The Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act mandates the CSU to notify the CSSA when tuition increases are proposed. An indefinite increase would mean the system no longer needs to consult with CSSA in the future, which we believe contravenes the spirit of the law. A policy review by the Board every five years is not equivalent to the Board presenting a new tuition proposal to the CSSA every five years.

While the CSSA acknowledges and appreciates the funding dedicated to the State University Grant program, we strongly believe that this program, although important, must be fundamentally revised to address the students’ total cost of attendance, not merely tuition and fees.

Finally, we must express our profound concern over the proposed plan’s glaring omission: a lack of dedication towards bolstering financial aid and addressing students’ basic needs. Although the proposal implies a tuition hike, it offers no guarantees for equivalent improvements in these crucial areas.

According to the CSU, 60% of our students heavily rely on financial aid. Thus, any tuition increase should come with a simultaneous boost in support for these students. This stark reality underscores the dire need for an all-encompassing Cal Grant Reform, set to be implemented in the 2024-25 academic year. As our students are on the brink of potentially facing a significant, multi-year tuition increase, it becomes critical for the institution and students to band together, champion this reform, and lobby to ensure its inclusion in the upcoming year’s state budget.

Furthermore, the proposal’s neglect in addressing the provision of resources to meet students’ basic needs is deeply troubling. Students of today, more than ever, require increased assistance to afford essential needs like food, housing, and healthcare. The proposal’s silence on these matters is a stark contrast to the needs of the students it purports to serve.

At Sunday’s board meeting, another salient issue was highlighted by one of our directors: by 2028, the proposed tuition increase will surpasses the financial support provided by the Pell Grant. The claim in response was that as the Pell Grant benefits only a small portion of students, the impact of this disparity would be minimal. This, however, is misleading, as nearly half of the system’s undergraduate enrollment—approximately 230,000 students—receive Pell Grants.

This reaction shows a troubling disregard for the future needs of our most vulnerable students, particularly in the context of the recent decision to expand the reach of the Pell Grant. This oversight once again underscores the shortfalls of the current tuition increase proposal, which seemingly fails to account for the escalating total cost of attendance for students. Such a perspective is not just unacceptable, but it also detracts from our collective goal of ensuring the highest possible level of accessibility and affordability in education for all students.

In essence, the proposed 6% tuition increase, without clear goals and a solid commitment to improve financial aid and basic needs support, does not serve the best interests of CSU students.

While we agree that multi-year budget planning is crucial for the system, we argue that the Board should not adopt a proposal with no specified end date, no guaranteed provisions for financial aid help, no mention of basic needs, very little justification for the amount of the increase and no mention of measurable outcomes to show students what they are contributing to.

As the CSSA, we stand strongly in opposition  of the indefinite tuition increase to the proposal that is set to be discussed at the upcoming Committee on Finance meeting.

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone present that the principal stakeholders of this system are not its administrators, faculty members, or staff, but the students themselves. We caution that a continuation with the current proposal may precipitate a significant drop in student enrollment, which would lead us to the same place we are now.

We respectfully request the CSU to reassess this proposal, taking into serious consideration the concerns we have raised. The CSSA is keen to sustain an ongoing dialogue with members of the Chancellor’s Office and the Board to fully address these issues.

Through our collective efforts, we can surmount these challenges and uphold our common values. By doing so, I am confident we can ensure a more promising future for every student within the CSU system.

Thank you Chair Fong, that concludes my report.

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The following statement can be attributed to CSSA President Dominic Quan Treseler​​:

“The Cal State Student Association expresses deep disappointment in the Supreme Court’s decision against student loan forgiveness. We believe that this decision overlooks the crippling impact of student debt on millions of graduates and the wider implications it has on the socioeconomic fabric of our society. Despite this setback, CSSA remains steadfast in our commitment to advocate for accessible and affordable higher education. This decision does not mark the end of our efforts; rather, it fuels our determination to push for systemic changes that will lead to a more equitable education system. We will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our students to seek remedies for the student debt crisis.”

The following statement can be attributed to CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester:

“We sympathize with the many college graduates across the country who are pained by the decision reached by the Supreme Court today. We recognize the financial relief a different decision would have yielded and affirm our longstanding commitment to providing an accessible, affordable, high-quality education. Additionally, the CSU will continue to advocate for effective federal measures such as doubling the Pell Grant, which would mean fewer students taking on debt and graduates entering the workforce on solid financial footing.”​

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Thank you, Chair Fong, and good afternoon Trustees, university Presidents, Chancellor Koester, and guests. My name is Krishan Malhotra and I serve as President of the Cal State Student Association.

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.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break, a happy new year, and a happy lunar new year. Before I begin my report, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay tragedies.  We stand in solidarity with those in our CSU community who have been affected.

In November, CSSA governing members had the opportunity to meet with Acting Vice Chancellor Leora Freedman. These meetings were in response to the minimal, or sometimes lack of, student engagement in the Cozen visits. I’d like to thank Acting Vice Chancellor Freedman for her willingness to meet with and hear out the concerns that our governing membership shared with her. And while the sentiments expressed were shared with Acting Vice Chancellor Freedman and the Cozen Assessment team, knowing that this is a Board of Trustees assessment, I wanted to share a few of them with you today as well. Students expressed:

• A need for more investments to support Title IX and DHR staff and outreach efforts,
• Clearly designated and visible Title IX offices that are accessible to students,
• A process to report anonymous Title IX and DHR incidents, and
• Developing processes for incidents that may not arise to a formal Title IX or DHR investigation issue but still inappropriate and not in alignment with our values as a system.

In addition to these concerns, what was very evident in these meetings is that students worry that while these assessments are being conducted, no meaningful change will occur.

CSSA expresses our sincerest hope that campus and system assessments be made publicly available to the campus community. And that any implementation groups or task forces created as a result of these assessments have students included in them.

I also want to encourage my fellow students to complete the Cozen O’Connor assessment survey to ensure your voice is heard.

CSSA will be meeting this coming weekend at San Jose State for our first plenary of 2023. At our plenary, we are going to be engaging our governing members in conversations surrounding:

• Campus dining services including quality, affordability of, and how students can engage campus administrators in providing feedback about services provided,
• Reviewing the Student Participation in Policy Development Process,
• Discussing a number of legislative bills that will impact CSU students, and
• We are thrilled that the search firm for the Chancellor’s Search will be joining us to hear directly from our board on what qualities and attributes students wish to see in a Chancellor.

CSSA is in the final days of the application process to serve as the 2023-2025 Student Trustee. Applications close January 30th at 5:00 pm and more information on the application process can be found on our website at calstatestudents.org.

CSSA appreciates the opportunity to serve on a number of systemwide committees, task forces, and searches for our system. I’d like to highlight one of those committees and one of our appointees today – Two of our students have the unique opportunity to serve on the CSU Alumni Council Special Committee on Mentorship. They are able to offer their insights and perspectives on mentorship and the types of opportunities students will find beneficial in their academic journey as it relates to student and alumni engagement.  Rebecca Perez, a senior at Fresno State, majoring in Health Science is one of our appointees to this committee. Rebecca is a ten year US Air Force Veteran, Vice President of External Affairs at ASI, and a mother. Rebecca has shared that the community at the Fresno State Veterans Resource Center has provided her with advisors, friends, employment, and an opportunity to support her fellow student veterans. We look forward to the continued collaborative relationship with the many CSU partners on this committee and thank the Alumni Council for their leadership on this important student centered initiative.

Yesterday, I was honored to accept an award that CSSA, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, and the University of California Student Association, and the broader Fix Financial Aid Coalition received from the Campaign for College Opportunity. The inaugural Partner Award for Exemplary Advocacy was given to the Coalition for our efforts with Cal Grant Reform, an advocacy campaign that we have led over the past 5 years. We are thrilled and grateful that Cal Grant Reform was included in the budget act and look forward to working with our Coalition partners to ensure this is a reality in the next fiscal year.

As the new legislative season is upon us and with nearly one third of the legislature being first time members, CSSA is looking forward to engaging with those members and their staff on the policy priorities of CSU students. We also look forward to collaborative and productive working relationship with new Associate Vice Chancellor of Advocacy and State Relations, Nathan Dietrich.

In the first week of March, CSU students will descend upon the State Capitol for our annual California Higher Education Student Summit, also known as CHESS. At this conference, we will advocate for CSSA sponsored and supported legislation. We look forward to this annual conference and empowering students to use their voice in advocating for student centered priorities.

Before I conclude my remarks, I’d like to share my appreciation that CSSA has two representatives on the  Search for the 9th Chancellor of the CSU. In this time of vast leadership transitions across our system, I hope that we all may continue to center the CSU’s largest stakeholder in the decisions we make, our students.

Thank you, Chair Fong that concludes my report.

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While we are deeply disappointed in the court’s decision, CSSA remains committed to supporting and advocating for all of our students. We stand with our DACA students and will continue to advocate for the needed resources to support their pursuit of their academic goals.

We urge Congress and the Biden Administration to take legislative action that will provide permanent protections for DACA recipients and their families and identify a pathway to citizenship.

We acknowledge that this is a difficult and uncertain time for many in our CSU community. Our campuses offer a number of resources to support students during this time.

Support for undocumented students: https://www.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students

Mental Health and Wellness Resources: https://www.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/Pages/mental-health-services.aspx

Krishan Malhotra
Cal State Student Association President

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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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