From the Chair Jennifer Reimer (2005-2006)

As the Chair for the California State Student Association, I had a great opportunity to work with the best student leaders in California. During the 2005-2006 academic year, we worked diligently to uphold the mission of the California State University and CSSA. We advocated the student perspective on issues of public higher education, such as:

• Preserving affordability for students by freezing student fees
• Increasing accessibility by co-sponsoring Assembly Member Hector

De La Torre's Assembly Bill 2813 with the California State University CSSA was able to reach these goals by strengthening our relationship with important people and organizations that believe in our cause. In December 2005, I had the opportunity to meet with Bonnie Rees in the Governor's Office and share CSSA's priorities. The meeting was a great accomplishment since January's Governor budget included a "student fee buy-back" on the fee increase CSU trustees had anticipated in their support budget two months prior.

Also, CSSA worked hard to keep moving forward the financial aid bill to increase the age limit on the Cal Grant (financial aid). Our legislative bill became our No. 1 priority and, once again, we had the opportunity to meet with Bonnie Rees and Governor Schwarzenegger. CSSA External Vice Chair Mona Mohammadi represented CSSA and shared information about AB 2813 (De La Torre). The challenge was pushing the bill through the committees and onto the governor's desk. Board members of CSSA, alumni, CSU Trustees, coalition partners and bill author Hector De la Torre were successful in ensuring that AB2813 reached the governor's desk.

These victories would not have been possible without the support of the CSSA membership, CSU students, CSSA alumni, CSU Trustees, CSU faculty and the CSU Office of Governmental Relations.

As chair of the largest statewide student association, I was fortunate to have a strong team of board members that stayed focused on the priority issues that created positive change for CSU students. During this time, I have made lifelong friends with similar values and convictions to keep student issues on the forefront. The future of California is in good hands. Go CSU!

Best Regards,

Jennifer Reimer
Chair of the Board of Directors, 2005-2006