July 2024 Board Of Trustees Report

Thank you, Chair Clark, and good morning Trustees, Chancellor Garcia, University Presidents, and everyone present today. Chair Clark, I would like to congratulate you on your new role as Chair. I look forward to working with you over the next year to enhance the lives of our students across the CSU.

Additionally, I would like to congratulate the newest student trustee. I have had the pleasure of witnessing Jazmine’s heart and class first hand and on behalf of CSSA, congratulations.

My name is Iese Esera, I am a first-generation Samoan American, and I have the humble and extraordinary honor of serving as the President of the California State Student Association (CSSA). I am a graduate student studying Public Administration at the one and only San Francisco State University where I am also an alum, having earned my BA in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance/operatic studies and a minor in Political Science in May 2023.

My journey with CSSA began two years ago as a governing member representing my campus’ Associated Students. Since joining CSSA, I have been passionate about advocating for student needs and rights, systemwide accountability, and ensuring all students have access to a quality education.

Today, I am delighted to introduce my executive officers, who will help lead the CSSA in our efforts this upcoming academic year. Here with me is:

Karen Carrillo, CSSA Chair. Before joining CSSA, Karen served as the ASI President at Fresno State, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Chicano Studies and Criminology. Karen is beginning her Master of Arts in Higher Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at Sacramento State this fall.

Adrian Sanchez, Vice President of Legislative Affairs. Before joining CSSA, Adrian also served as the ASI President at Stanislaus State and is a recent graduate where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in  Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology. Adrian begins his Masters of Public Administration at Stan State this fall.

Tara Al-Rehani, Vice President of Systemwide Affairs. Tara is a third-year undergraduate student studying Political Science and Economics at San Jose State. Before CSSA, Tara served as a Student-At-Large on her campus’s Lobby Corps as well as the Vice President of SJSU’s SWANA initiative.

And finally, CSSA’s Vice President of Finance, Tyler Coari. Tyler is a recent graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Before joining CSSA as an executive officer, Tyler served as the Chief of Staff & Chair for the ASI Board of Directors. Tyler is beginning his graduate school journey in the Master of Public Policy program at Cal Poly SLO this fall.

As you can see, the power of the CSU is quite strong in this executive team as four out of 5 of the executive officers have completed their undergraduate degrees and will complete their graduate degrees at the CSU.

Please join me in congratulating these four passionate and proven leaders who are truly – Made in the CSU.

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

Last weekend, CSSA hosted our July Orientation and our first Board of Directors meeting for the 2024/25 academic year. At orientation, we had the opportunity to hear from liaisons from the Chancellor’s office, the Board of Trustees, the Academic Senate, and the AOA. We also met with our newly elected governing members and heard about their journeys as CSU students and how being “Made in the CSU” has impacted their lives.

In my short time as president, I have heard inspiring stories from students who have overcome difficult family situations such as abandonment, addiction, and abuse to pursue a transformative degree. I have listened to students who faced food insecurity and relied on free food events on campus to sustain themselves, hunting these events down as the only way to maintain their mental health and stamina as they pursued their academic goals. CSSA has witnessed the resilience of CSU students and their unwavering belief in the promise that a CSU degree holds.

As we embark on this new academic year, CSSA has set clear and ambitious goals that I would like to share with you all. First, we aim to strengthen our advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of CSU students are heard loud and clear at both the state and federal levels. We are committed to enhancing student success and well-being by supporting mental health programs and tackling critical issues like food and housing insecurity and affordability.

We will also focus on fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion across all our campuses, creating an environment where every student feels valued and supported AND our dedication to sustainability remains unwavering as we advocate for environmentally responsible practices and green initiatives within our system.

Additionally, Transparency and communication are key to our success, and we will strive to maintain open and honest dialogues with this body, ensuring that student voices guide the actions of the CSU.

Lastly, it is important to remember the reason we all come together. Each of us is a steward of student dollars. The nearly half a million students in the CSU are some of the most hardworking and gifted individuals in the nation, striving to pay their way through school and, in turn, create a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. We are dedicated to ensuring that our resources are allocated equitably and effectively to benefit all students. Together, we will work tirelessly to achieve these goals and make this year a transformative one for CSU students.

I am also pleased to have participated in legislative meetings around the May Revise with the Chancellor, Academic Senate, Alumni Council, California Faculty Association, and CSUEU, to uplift the Board of Trustees’ budget priorities. The CSSA recognizes that this is a challenging time for the state budget, but we appreciate the continued collaboration between CSU stakeholders, the legislature, and the Governor’s office to ensure the continued success of the CSU and its students – because the CSU’s success is the state’s success.

Although Cal Grant Reform was not funded this year, we remain committed to working with our diverse coalition of advocates and champions in the legislature to secure funding in the coming years. This policy will not only simplify Cal Grant but also ensure that more low-income students receive the aid they need to obtain their degrees from a CSU.

However, I am thrilled to share that the proposed cuts to the immigration legal service providers on our campuses were protected. We cannot thank our partners enough at the Immigration Legal Defense, The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), and Immigrant Defense Advocates for their work on this issue. Given the budget year, this was a significant success for students, faculty, and staff throughout the CSU, and we were proud to advocate on their behalf. While it is summer recess, the CSSA will continue to work on enhanced advocacy around the 14 bills we are currently co-sponsoring or supporting.

I would also like to highlight the strong and growing collaboration between Chancellor Garcia and myself. Our joint efforts will prove to be instrumental in advancing our shared goals, and I am excited about the positive impact we can make together for the CSU community. On a personal note, I truly believe that this year will be a historic one for the CSU, and I look forward to championing the power of the CSU with Chancellor Garcia – as she and I tell our story..

This growing collaboration is key to the success of students across the system, which is why CSSA is excited to welcome Chancellor Garcia, Chair Clark, and Chair of the Academic Senate, Dr. Boyd,  at our annual CSUnity conference next month at Cal State San Bernardino. Our student leaders are eager to engage and learn from you.

In closing, as I present my first report to this governing body, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the village that got me to this point in my academic and advocacy journey. I am deeply grateful to my SF State community, including President Lynn Mahoney – who for my entire college career, has led my university community with such strength and poise and also has provided me with undeniable guidance and unforgettable advice. Lastly, to my family, friends, hometown, and ancestors – I thank you for the lessons in resilience, perspective, and authenticity that have shaped me as a leader and agent of change.

That being said, Chair Clark, that concludes my remarks – and on behalf of the students of the CSU – let’s get to work. – Thank you.

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