Developing a Conscious California

Based on the belief that access to higher education also includes preserving the land and resources unique to each CSU campus, CSSA has advocated since 2000 for CSU campuses to be "green" in their building design and consumption of energy. Major tenets of the sustainable design initiative charged by CSSA include that new and renovated buildings at CSU campuses should be designed and built to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating or higher. It was also urged that energy use per CSU student be reduced, and 25 percent of energy use in the CSU system be from renewable sources. During fall 2005, the CSU Board of Trustees adopted a sustainable building design for all new CSU buildings. This achievement was accomplished through the leadership of the CSSA Environmental Affairs Officer and the CSU Sustainable Design Committee. The CSU Board of Trustees adopted the sustainable building design on September 2005. The policy stipulates new and renovated buildings at CSU campuses be designed and built to LEED certification. The policy also designates specific renewable energy goals, environmental building designs, and management. The adoption of the new building design policy is a major victory for students. Through the work of this committee and grassroots organizing from the CSSA Environmental Affairs Officer, coalition partners in the UC and Community Colleges, future students, faculty and staff will be able to enjoy the beauty and benefits of each CSU campus.

CSSA has played a critical role in educating higher education leaders, elected officials and the campus community about the impact rising costs of higher education has on both students and families.

Many CSU students come from working class families and strive to balance work and school. Many are relying more heavily on student loans to pay for college. That's why reforming the federal student loan programs has been a priority for CSSA. Last year, the board collaborated with the United States Students Association to urge Congress to ease the student debt burden by reforming federal student loan and grant programs. This is an ongoing issue.

Student fees are just one part of the cost of attending college. For many students, expensive textbooks take up an increasing share of their personal budget each year. CSSA joined the The Affordable Textbooks Campaign, a coalition of Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) and student government associations in 14 states that are working to make college more affordable. CSSA worked with the campaign to generate media interests in textbook affordability and to include quotes and personal stories from CSU students affected by rising textbooks costs. More information about the campaign »

California State University student fees increased by over 75 percent between 2001 and 2005. Each year, students organized campaigns to educate the public about the large increases and to ask elected officials to preserve college affordability in California. In fall 2005, student leaders from CSSA and UC met with the governor's office and asked Governor Schwarzenegger to stop the fee increases. Weeks later, the governor released his budget proposal for 2006-2007, which included no increase for student fees. The legislature approved the fee freeze, and in late August 2007, the governor signed the first budget in five years that did not include a student fee increase. CSSA celebrated this important victory and the relief it would provide for California's students and families from the rising costs of college. Nearly 30 percent of California State University students are the first person in their families to go to college. The CSU supports important student academic preparation programs to help these students—and their parents—to prepare for college success. Unfortunately, the governor proposed eliminating funding for these programs in 2005. CSSA stood in solidarity with EOP students, counselors and other allies to support these programs and the services they provide. In 2005, we were proud to see the funding for academic preparation programs restored to the state budget. However, this year the students are disappointed that the state budget includes a fee increase and lack of adequate funding for services to underserved communities in the CSU.