Student Advocacy and the CSU Budget

The 1960 Master Plan for Higher education is designed to make higher education in California accessible and affordable for all its residents. However, access to college has become less affordable due to rising textbook cost, funding cut from federal student loan programs and student fee increases. CSU students now must work more hours or reduce their course load to achieve their goal of graduation. California State Student Association (CSSA) has continued to advocate for low student fees. Last year they successfully lobbied for an 8% student fee freeze for the CSU l that the Governor included in his January budget.

This year the California State University Board of Trustees reviewed the 2007-2008 support budget proposal at their November 14-16, 2006 plenary meeting. The Board of Trustees approved the support budget, which included an augmentation request above the Compact from the governor for items, such as, the "Student Services Initiative." The Compact is a written agreement between the Governor and public higher education segment leaders. The Compact establishes annual funding targets, including:

• Base increases of 3 percent (increasing to 4 percent in 2007-08 and 5 percent in 2008-09),
• 2.5 percent annual increases in enrollment funding, and
• Annual student fee increases that would generate additional funding to be used at the segments' discretion.

The budget proposal before the Board of Trustees asked for $3 billion dollars in general fund money. The budget does not assume a student fee increase that was originally intended in the Compact and requests an additional $24.6 million dollars for Student Services Initiative. The Student Services Initiative includes funding for the following:

• Academic advising
• Academic preparation programs
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) grants
• Services for disabled persons to information and learning offered via technology

"The CSSA Board of Directors is pleased to see the CSU's request to the Governor and Legislature to fund above the Compact in order to provide adequate student services in our CSU system," said Nadir Vissanjy Chair of CSSA. "CSSA looks forward to working with the CSU's trustees, faculty and staff to advocate and visit Sacramento for the proposed CSU budget."

CSSA adopted its 2006- 2007 Policy Agenda that includes:

• A student fee freeze
• Increase awareness and funding for outreach programs and
• Improve the system's academic advising process.

On the horizon, the Governor will release the initial 07-08 budget in January, which CSSA hopes will include the allocated CSU support budget requests.

To get involved in the efforts to obtain adequate funding for our system, join CSSA's campaign. Let's show our unity and solidarity for an accessible, affordable and quality public education! Contact the Associated students to volunteer through your campus Lobby Corps.

CSU support budget information  » (.pdf, 3.5MB)

Each year these principals are carried out through a policy agenda voted on by the entire CSSA Board. The University Affair Committee creates an action plan on all policy agenda items and all 23 campuses work together to progress the student perspective and quality of education on the campus and system wide level. University Affairs activities include working with CSU and campus administrators including Academic Senate, testify in front of the Board of Trustees, Writing resolutions and passing them on each individual campus, and implementing information campaigns on system policy or initiative.

The University Affairs Chair leads the committee on the action items and the Director of University Affairs supports the group through research and analysis of CSU policy.

From the Executive Director

You are now a member of student government with a task to represent the student perspective on educational policy at the statewide, systemwide and university levels. While you serve in this capacity you are challenged to balance a dense calendar. As CSU student leaders, you are more than likely managing a demanding schedule including your ASI position, school and work. Therefore, to complete your term in office and make progress towards graduation you have life skills that will be invaluable to you as you graduate and transition into your professional and graduate level course work.

CSSA is fortunate to have students that have the passion to change policy for the greater good on issues of access and affordability to a public higher education. Students in CSSA are challenged and encouraged to participate in public policy analysis, voter registration campaigns, meetings with local and statewide public officials; as well as, meeting with the California State University, Board of Trustees, Systemwide Academic Senate and the CSU's Chancellor's Executive Cabinet. These activities require a substantial amount of time, preparation and review. In the end, CSSA competes for time with your leadership responsibilities; as well as, personal and academic commitments on your schedule. How is a CSSA board member able to manage such a dense calendar? Here are some suggestions on how past leaders managed their calendars.

• Own a meeting calendar (electronic or hard copy)
• Block out your classes and study time for the semester;
• Block out your meal hours. It has been my experience working with student leaders that too often students eat walking to class, skip meals or grab something from the vending machine because they are running late. Planning your meals can avoid poor food choices, decrease stressful days and keep you healthy, too!
• Block out your ASI Board meetings, ASI and campus committees. Consider this, do you really have to be at every committee meeting or conference? Instead, delegate to someone that perhaps you would want to mentor for your position next year. This is a great opportunity for you to become a peer mentor!
• Block out CSSA monthly meetings and committee work along with travel days/ hours to and from the meetings.
• Block out your personal life (social, significant other, etc.) You need to have balance and include people in your life outside of student government; there will be times when you will need a mini-vacation from it all.

In conclusion, reflect on your calendar, is your calendar aligned with your priorities? Did you schedule meals? Did you schedule exercise? Did you schedule sleeping time? Have a great semester and GO CSU!