California State Student Association Plenary Recap | January 2025

The California State Student Association (CSSA) held a meeting on January 25, covering a wide range of issues affecting students across the CSU system. Here's a breakdown of what CSSA is and what topics were discussed this past weekend.

CSSA is the governing body representing all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the California State University (CSU) system. It serves as a platform for students to advocate for their interests and concerns on a system-wide level. CSSA works closely with the CSU Chancellor's Office and the Board of Trustees to ensure that student voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.

The AS President and Commissioner of Legislative Affairs attend these meetings to represent California State University, Chico. In the event they cannot, the Commissioner of Student Engagement and Advocacy attends as proxy.

CSSA Plenary | January 2025

Student Trustee Committee:

The first CSSA plenary began with the Student Trustee Committee where we focused on Implicit bias training which is crucial for the Student Trustee Committee as it fosters a more equitable and inclusive environment for all students. By acknowledging and addressing unconscious biases, committee members can make more informed and objective decisions that benefit the diverse student body. This training will enhance self-awareness, improve communication, and ultimately lead to a more just and equitable experience for all students at San Francisco State University.

Systemwide Affairs:

The California State Student Association (CSSA) Systemwide Affairs Committee is actively working to address the critical issue of basic needs, particularly affordable housing, for students across the state. Recognizing the significant barriers faced by many students, the committee is driving conversations and developing a white paper outlining potential solutions. CSSA is advocating for several key policy changes and improvements, including improving data collection and analysis on student housing needs to better understand the scope of the problem and ensure that resources are allocated effectively, prioritizing students with the greatest need for on-campus housing, such as low-income students, students with dependents, and those from underrepresented communities, addressing unrealistic affordability thresholds in existing programs and advocating for more equitable definitions that better reflect the true cost of living for students, and increasing support for students with dependents by advocating for the development of more on-campus housing options that are suitable for families and expanding support services for these students. The committee also explores related issues like meal plan equity, kitchen access in university housing, and low-income affordability for advocacy, working in conjunction with Basic Needs Director Leah Slem. Furthermore, the committee focuses on the impact of affordable access programs, communication to students on available resources, and the core principles of access, affordability, equity, and convenience. This work connects with the CSU Chancellor's Office (ALS), Open Educational Resources (OER) offices on each campus, and emphasizes student engagement, data-based decisions, and academic preparation. The committee provides updates on student support resources, contributes to the development of student success definitions, commitments, objectives, metrics, and practices, and focuses on social mobility through the development of curriculum and co-curricular pathways. By working closely with legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders, CSSA, through its Systemwide Affairs Committee, is striving to create a more equitable and accessible higher education system for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. For more information on affordable housing within the CSU, please refer to this link.

Legislative Affairs Committee:

The CSSA Legislative Affairs Committee tackled a packed agenda, addressing critical issues impacting students across the CSU system. The committee heard from newly appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations, Jeff Culle, who outlined the CSU's upcoming federal advocacy priorities, setting the stage for collaboration on national-level issues. Two key legislative proposals were brought before the committee for co-sponsor consideration. First, ABXXXX, a bill focused on improving the accuracy of Cost of Attendance budgets, aimed to enhance student financial planning and success. Second, ABXXXX, a bill designed to increase access to campus housing for students with experience in foster care and homelessness, sought to address the critical housing insecurity faced by these vulnerable populations. The committee reviewed the language and analysis for both bills, carefully considering the potential impact on students. Members of the public were encouraged to provide feedback on these important legislative items, both during the meeting and through online submissions. The committee's work reflects a commitment to advocating for policies that support student success, affordability, and well-being.

Joint Committee of Internal Affairs & Finance:

The CSSA Internal Affairs and Finance Committee focused on internal policy review and updates at their latest meeting. Chair Carrillo and Vice President Coari led discussions on potential revisions to three key governing documents: the Fiscal Policy, the Signature Authority Policy, and the Travel Policy and Procedure. All three policies had not been comprehensively reviewed since at least 2018, with the Travel Policy and Procedure dating back to 2015, making updates crucial to ensure they align with current best practices and organizational needs. For each policy, the committee reviewed proposed changes alongside summaries outlining the rationale behind them, comparing them against the existing versions. These discussions allowed committee members to thoroughly consider the implications of each change and provide input. The committee's work reflects a commitment to responsible financial management and operational efficiency within CSSA. Members of the public were invited to share their perspectives on these proposed policy updates, both during the meeting and via online submissions.

Internal Affairs Committee:

The CSSA Internal Affairs Committee tackled several key policy items at their meeting. Chair Carrillo and Executive Director Nino provided updates and the committee took action on important governance documents. Two policies, the Membership Policy and the Attendance Policy, were brought before the committee for final approval and recommendations to the Board of Directors. The committee carefully considered the proposed changes to these policies before moving to a vote. Discussions also took place regarding two policy drafts: the Agenda Item Request Policy and the Comprehensive Access and Resource Management Policy. Chair Carrillo and Member Calara presented the draft for the Agenda Item Request Policy, while Chair Carrillo led the discussion on the Comprehensive Access and Resource Management Policy draft. These discussions allowed committee members to provide feedback and shape the final versions of these important internal policies. As with other CSSA meetings, members of the public were welcome to provide comments on these policy matters, both in person and through online submissions.

Finance Committee:

The CSSA Finance Committee meeting focused on financial oversight and updates. Chair Coari and Assistant Director Martinez provided several informational updates to the committee. They presented the Fall 2024 report on the Student Involvement and Representation Fee (SIRF) funding, detailing how these student fees are being allocated. The committee also received overviews of two key financial policies: the Contracts and Procurement Policy and the Fiscal and Purchasing Policy. These overviews ensured committee members were familiar with the guidelines governing CSSA's financial operations. Finally, the committee reviewed the January 2025 financial statement, including a CHESS 2025 budget breakdown, gaining insight into the organization's current financial status. As always, the meeting provided an opportunity for public comment, both in person and online, allowing for transparency and community input on CSSA's financial management.

Board of Directors:

The CSSA Board of Directors meeting represents a crucial culmination of work across various committees, with several key items on the agenda impacting the entire CSU student body. The consent agenda, streamlining routine business, includes approval of meeting minutes and, importantly, action items on two significant legislative proposals. The board will approved co-sponsor recommendations from the Legislative Affairs Committee for ABXXXX, focusing on improving the accuracy of Cost of Attendance budgets, and ABXXXX, aiming to increase housing access for students with foster care and homelessness experience. These votes signify CSSA's stance on these critical student support bills. Also on the consent agenda are final approvals for the Membership Policy and Attendance Policy, coming from the Internal Affairs Committee, solidifying internal governance procedures. Liaison reports from key stakeholders, including the Academic Senate Chair, representatives from the CSU Chancellor's Office and Board of Trustees, provide valuable updates and foster collaboration. New business includes an information item presented by Chair Carrillo regarding a comprehensive shared resource folder, ensuring transparency and accessibility of important documents for CSSA governing members throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. A review of the 2024-2025 Attendance Policy will also take place. This meeting underscores the Board of Directors' role in shaping CSSA's priorities and advocating for student needs at the highest levels. Public comment is vital, offering an opportunity for students and other stakeholders to directly address the board on matters affecting higher education.

In conclusion, the CSSA Plenary in San Francisco proved to be a productive and impactful gathering, demonstrating the organization's commitment to advocating for CSU students. From implicit bias training for student trustees to deep dives into affordable housing and basic needs by the Systemwide Affairs Committee, the plenary addressed critical issues facing students today. The Legislative Affairs Committee tackled key bills related to cost of attendance and housing access for vulnerable populations, while joint and individual Internal Affairs and Finance committee meetings focused on strengthening CSSA's internal policies and financial health. Finally, the Board of Directors meeting served as the capstone, bringing together the work of all the committees and taking decisive action on important legislative and internal matters. The plenary showcased the breadth and depth of CSSA's work, highlighting its vital role in amplifying student voices and driving positive change within the California State University system. The collaborative spirit and dedication displayed throughout the plenary signal a strong year ahead for CSSA and its ongoing efforts to improve the educational experience for all CSU students. For more information on specific initiatives, including affordable housing, please refer to the linked resources.

Madison Kelley is the current Commissioner of Legislative Affairs for the Associated Students. This is her second term, with her serving as the Senator for the College of Business during the 2023-2024 academic year. She's a 4^th year at Chico State major­ing in Busi­ness Admin­is­tra­tion with a focus in Mar­ket­ing. To reach out to Madison, email her at as-legaffairs@csuchico.edu.