California State Student Association
Encyclopedia
The California State Student Association (abbreviated CSSA) is an "unincorporated income tax exempt association". Its membership includes 23 California State University
student body organizations. CSSA is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and it is exempt from state franchise or income tax under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701d.
The 1970s saw a revival in student governance in the CSU that carried through to the present day. In 1972 the Student Presidents Association sponsored legislation which authorized the expenditure of student body fees to fund a lobbyist for CSU students. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by then Governor Reagan
.
By 1974, the student leadership had moved beyond the activism of the 1960s to become more articulate, intelligent, and politically astute. The student leaders of this era were quite successful both in the legislature and within the system, and are responsible for much of the foundation of student leadership that still exists today. Through their successes with Governor Brown
and many legislators, they started the tradition of seeking victories in the legislature if they are not forthcoming from the system.
By 1979 CSSA had become extraordinarily active, and many student body presidents were finding it difficult to fulfill both their campus and CSSA responsibilities and thus began appointing CSSA representatives (a few campuses had already started electing separate representatives). The Association decided to recognize this reality by re-naming itself the California State Student Association in 1979.
In 2005, CSSA successfully lobbied for an 8% student fee freeze for the CSU that the Governor included in his January budget .
In 2009, the California State University faced a $584 million budget cut. The Board of Trustees and the Office of the Chancellor responded by implementing furloughs and work force reductions, a total fee increase of approximately 32%, enrollment caps anticipating a reduction of 40,000 qualified students in the next two academic years and additional campus by campus cuts to cover the remaining $190 million loss. CSSA has continued its dedication to advocacy projects for the betterment of public higher education in California. CSSA continues to maintain regular communication with the California State Legislature, the Office of the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees and representatives from each of the 23 campuses meet on a monthly basis.
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
student body organizations. CSSA is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and it is exempt from state franchise or income tax under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701d.
Mission
It is the mission of the California State Student Association (CSSA) to maintain and enhance the accessibility of an affordable quality education for the people of California, to the People's University. The single recognized voice for over 450,000 students in the California State University System (CSU), the CSSA is the acknowledged statewide student organization designed to represent, serve and protect the collective interests of students in the CSU system .History
In 1958, three years before the formation of the California State University (CSU) system, a group of Associated Students presidents founded the Student Presidents Association. This group initially served mostly as an informational forum for the campus student associations, but the fact that a well-organized statewide student association was firmly established when the CSU was founded ensured that the students had a place in the CSU's internal policy making from the beginning. The Student Presidents Association was formally recognized by the CSU Board of Trustees in 1963, three years after the formation of the system itself and two months after the statewide Academic Senate held its very first meeting.The 1970s saw a revival in student governance in the CSU that carried through to the present day. In 1972 the Student Presidents Association sponsored legislation which authorized the expenditure of student body fees to fund a lobbyist for CSU students. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by then Governor Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
.
By 1974, the student leadership had moved beyond the activism of the 1960s to become more articulate, intelligent, and politically astute. The student leaders of this era were quite successful both in the legislature and within the system, and are responsible for much of the foundation of student leadership that still exists today. Through their successes with Governor Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
and many legislators, they started the tradition of seeking victories in the legislature if they are not forthcoming from the system.
By 1979 CSSA had become extraordinarily active, and many student body presidents were finding it difficult to fulfill both their campus and CSSA responsibilities and thus began appointing CSSA representatives (a few campuses had already started electing separate representatives). The Association decided to recognize this reality by re-naming itself the California State Student Association in 1979.
In 2005, CSSA successfully lobbied for an 8% student fee freeze for the CSU that the Governor included in his January budget .
In 2009, the California State University faced a $584 million budget cut. The Board of Trustees and the Office of the Chancellor responded by implementing furloughs and work force reductions, a total fee increase of approximately 32%, enrollment caps anticipating a reduction of 40,000 qualified students in the next two academic years and additional campus by campus cuts to cover the remaining $190 million loss. CSSA has continued its dedication to advocacy projects for the betterment of public higher education in California. CSSA continues to maintain regular communication with the California State Legislature, the Office of the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees and representatives from each of the 23 campuses meet on a monthly basis.
Executive Committee
The duty of CSSA Executive Committee is to review, research and make recommendations on the CSSA Budget, CSSA Policies and Procedures and CSSA Personnel matters. The President, Chair, Vice President of University Affairs, Vice President of Legislative Affairs, and Vice President of Finance are voting members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Director serves as an advisor to the Executive Committee.Legislative Affairs
The job of the Legislative Affairs Committee is to make recommendations to the CSSA board of directors on higher education issues pending in the California State Legislature. Committee members vote to recommend positions on bills and strategies for accomplishing the board's policy objectives. Since 2003, the Legislative Affairs Committee has lead the way for CSSA to sponsor legislation that would curtail student fee increases and reform the state financial aid program, called Cal Grants. Members of Legislative Affairs are also leaders in engaging our own campus community on legislation that would affect students by running information-based campaigns on CSU campuses, organizing letter writing and call-in days, and working with local news outlets . The committee oversees the CSSA Lobby Corps program, which provides the opportunity for students to develop the leadership skills to confidently speak with state senators or assemblymembers and be engaged with civic life .University Affairs
The University Affairs Committee principals are to promote access, affordability and quality of instruction. In addition, the committee seeks to expanding student's role in the decisions that affect the CSU by influencing system wide issues and policies and promoting shared governance through systemwide committee representation . 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 the Academic Senate, testifying 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. An example of CSSA activity within University Affairs would be the annual voter registration drives hosted by individual campus's to help encourage a next generation of young people to become involved in the electorate process .Internal Affairs
The Internal Affairs Committee develops and revises the policies, procedures and constitution of CSSA as well as the scholarship funding for dues-paying campuses and other internal documents as directed by the board. The committee insures that members of the California State Student Association derive the maximum benefit from their association by ensuring that the board stays focused on student issues.Multicultural Caucus
The Multicultural Caucus is an official ongoing force of the CSSA to advance and monitor the further development of programs and policies regarding the maintenance and enhancement of the diversity within the CSU system and campus communities. Student leaders express their concerns about the need to build supportive rather than hateful environments on CSU campuses and adopt resolutions which recognize these concerns and request the administration to take proactive steps to foster a welcoming and supportive environment .CHESS Conference
CSSA hosts the California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS) annual conference composed of California State University leaders, student advocates, higher education policy experts, public officials, proud alumni, and inspiring students from around the state of California. This conference is the only statewide leadership conference for CSU students. CHESS offers student leaders a variety of ways in which to become active members of their respective communities with a focus in higher education.Nomination of student trustees
The California State University (CSU) is administered by a board named "Trustees of the California State University". California Education Code Section 66602 provides that the CSU board shall include two students. Paragraph (b)(2) of Section 66602 provides that, "In the selection of students as members of the board, the Governor shall appoint the students from lists of names of at least two, but not more than five, persons furnished by the governing board of any statewide student organization that represents the students of the California State University and the student body organizations of the campuses of the California State University". In accordance with that paragraph, the CSSA nominates students for appointment to the CSU board of trustees.Member organizations
- Associated Students, California State University, Bakersfield, Inc. — (California State University, BakersfieldCalifornia State University, BakersfieldCalifornia State University, Bakersfield is a public university located in Bakersfield, California, United States which was founded in 1965. CSUB opened in 1970 on a campus, becoming the 19th school in the California State University system...
) - Associated Students of California State University, Channel Islands, Inc. — (California State University, Channel IslandsCalifornia State University, Channel IslandsCalifornia State University Channel Islands is a four-year public university located in Camarillo, California, in Ventura County. CSUCI opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the California State University system, succeeding the Ventura County branch campus of CSU Northridge...
) - Associated Students of California State University, ChicoAssociated Students, ChicoAssociated Students, Chico is the student government at California State University, Chico. With assets of over $13 million and annual revenue over $30 million, Associated Students, Chico is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Northern California Associated Students, Chico is a 501...
— (California State University, ChicoCalifornia State University, ChicoCalifornia State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the twenty-three-campus California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento...
) - Associated Students, California State University, Dominguez Hills — (California State University, Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University, Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills is a public university located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County and was founded in 1960...
) - Associated Students, Inc., California State University, East Bay — (California State University, East BayCalifornia State University, East BayCalifornia State University, East Bay is a public university located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The university, as part of the 23-campus California State University system, offers over 100 areas of study...
) - Associated Students California State University, Fresno — (California State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
) - Associated Students California State University, Fullerton, Inc. — (California State University, FullertonCalifornia State University, FullertonCalifornia State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
) - Associated Students of Humboldt State University — (Humboldt State UniversityHumboldt State UniversityHumboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...
) - Associated Students, California State University, Long Beach — (California State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
) - Associated Students of California State University, Los Angeles, Inc. — (California State University, Los AngelesCalifornia State University, Los AngelesCalifornia State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
) - Associated Students of the California Maritime Academy — (California Maritime AcademyCalifornia Maritime AcademyThe California Maritime Academy is one of 23 campuses in the California State University system and is one of only seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States...
) - Associated Students of California State University Monterey Bay — (California State University, Monterey BayCalifornia State University, Monterey BayCalifornia State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
) - Associated Students, California State University, Northridge, Inc. — (California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
) - Associated Students, Incorporated, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona — (California State Polytechnic University, PomonaCalifornia State Polytechnic University, PomonaCalifornia State Polytechnic University, Pomona, or Cal Poly Pomona, is a public university located in Pomona, California, United States...
) - Associated Students of California State University, Sacramento — (California State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
) - Associated Students California State University, San Bernardino — (California State University, San BernardinoCalifornia State University, San BernardinoCalifornia State University, San Bernardino, also known as Cal State San Bernardino or CSUSB is a public research university and one of the twenty three general campuses of the California State University system. The main campus sits on in the suburban University District of , United States, with...
) - Associated Students, San Diego State University — (San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
) - Associated Students of San Francisco State University — (San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
) - Associated Students San Jose State University — (San Jose State UniversitySan José State UniversitySan Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
) - Associated Students, Incorporated of California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo — (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo)
- The Associated Students of California State University, San Marcos — (California State University, San MarcosCalifornia State University, San MarcosCalifornia State University San Marcos is a public, coeducational university and one of the 23 general campuses of the California State University system. located in San Marcos, California, a suburban town in north San Diego County. It was founded in 1989 as the 20th CSU campus and was the first...
) - Associated Students of Sonoma State University — (Sonoma State UniversitySonoma State UniversitySonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
) - Associated Students Incorporated of California State University, Stanislaus — (California State University, StanislausCalifornia State University, StanislausCalifornia State University, Stanislaus, also known as Cal State Stanislaus or simply Stan State is a campus in the California State University system which was established in 1957 in Turlock, California. It is also the only campus in the CSU system to offer a bachelor's degree in cognitive studies...
)
See also
- Student Senate for California Community CollegesStudent Senate for California Community CollegesThe Student Senate for California Community Colleges is an advocacy group that protects the rights and interests of people who are enrolled in public community colleges in California...
- University of California Students AssociationUniversity of California Students AssociationThe University of California Students Association is a higher education student advocacy group organized to voice the interests of students attending the University of California system. It has been noted for its opposition to education funding cuts and increases in student fees and for its...