CSSA President Esera’s Report to the Board of Trustees
March 25, 2025
Thank you, Chair Clark, and good morning Trustees, Chancellor Garcia, University Presidents, and everyone here today. My name is Iese Esera, and I serve as the President of the Cal State Student Association (CSSA). CSSA represents nearly half a million students across the California State University system and serves as the official voice of CSU students to the California State Legislature and the Board of Trustees. It is an honor to present this report on their behalf.
Since my last update, CSSA convened for two plenary meetings. We held a virtual meeting in February, followed by our March meeting hosted in person by Sacramento State University. On behalf of CSSA, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to President Wood, Associated Students, and the Harper Alumni Center staff for their warm hospitality and support. These plenaries were filled with robust and passionate discussions as our Board engaged in meaningful dialogue on a range of issues impacting CSU students.
At both plenary sessions, CSSA took strong positions on legislation focused on student rights, financial aid transparency, and essential campus resources. Our Board voted to co-sponsor several bills, including SB 98 (Pérez), which strengthens protections for undocumented students, faculty, and staff; SB 271 (Reyes), which expands childcare services for student parents; SB 323 (Pérez), which broadens access to financial aid for Dream Act applicants; and AB 98, which we will share more about as it develops. Additionally, CSSA voted to support SB 416 (Pérez) to standardize financial aid letters; SB 761 (Ashby) to increase access to CalFresh; AB 95 (Fong) to restore a higher education coordinating body; AB 850 (Pacheco) to improve transparency in institutional debt; and AB 313, which we are continuing to track closely. These legislative efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to equity, affordability, and student success in the CSU.
CSSA also passed a resolution calling for the creation of a systemwide CSU Undocumented Student Advisory Council and a Framework for Comprehensive Support. This resolution urges the CSU to establish a permanent advisory council that provides guidance on policies and programs serving undocumented students. It also calls for expanded scholarship opportunities, career and legal services, alternative food security programs, and the establishment of a CSU-wide programming and events to foster advocacy, awareness, and collaboration across the system.
In addition to our policy work, CSSA is close to finalizing our Affordable Student Housing White Paper, which will be released publicly by Thursday, March 27. The paper outlines CSSA’s recommendations for improving housing affordability across the CSU, including better data collection, transparent prioritization of low-income students for on-campus housing, more flexible and inclusive meal plans, and the exploration of income-based rent models. We urge the Chancellor’s Office and our partners in the Legislature to implement these reforms and ensure that housing across the CSU is equitable, accessible, and financially sustainable. Additionally, CSSA is excited to inform this body that three student trustee nominees have been sent to the Governors office for appointment. Every year CSSA is honored to serve as the steward of such an important process, and we are grateful to all the student applicants.
Our conversations are also continuing on other student-centered priorities such as affordable learning solutions, ensuring comprehensive Title IX implementation, and recognizing the essential role that Survivor Advocates play on every CSU campus. These issues remain top of mind for our student leaders, and we will continue working closely with systemwide partners to advance this work.
Two weeks ago, CSSA proudly hosted the 30th Annual California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS), bringing together student leaders from every CSU campus for a weekend of leadership development and policy training. Our summit concluded with a successful Advocacy Day at the State Capitol, where we met with state legislators and the Governor’s Office to advocate for legislation and the CSU’s budget priorities. CHESS reaffirmed our shared belief in the power of student voice and the importance of investing in policies that ensure affordability, access, and success for all CSU students.
I am so proud of our students. And everyone here should be too! Students have been doing our part to urge the state to fund the CSU. CSSA has taken a historic approach to opposing the Governor’s proposed 8% cut to the CSU budget—a total reduction of nearly $400 million. Over 250 students, representing every CSU campus—from San Diego State to Cal Poly Humboldt, a span of more than 850 miles—came together in Sacramento to meet with legislators and advocate for the future of our state and our nation. Their presence and their passion made it clear: CSU students are not only the next generation of leaders—we are leading right now.
The moment we find ourselves in calls for unity—not just in word, but in spirit and action—more than ever before. In a time of uncertainty and challenge, the CSSA is deeply grateful for Chancellor Garcia’s unwavering commitment to shared governance and for embracing the transformative power of student voice. When students are not only heard, but truly valued in shaping outcomes, we create something extraordinary: a CSU that doesn’t just respond to change, but leads it—with courage, with compassion, and with a collective vision for a brighter future.
Chair Clark, this concludes my report and I am happy to answer any questions.
