associated students, csuf, inc. Higher Education Policy Agenda2

3INTRODUCTION

As the recognized representatives of nearly 38,000 students, our organization is committed to ensuring that the student voice is not only heard, but also actively listened to. In this packet, you will find the legislative plans and priorities for Cal State Fullertons Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) for the 2014-2015 year.

Though there are many details outlined within, our policy agenda focuses on four main goals: Affordability, Accessibility, Quality, and Time to Degree. We strongly believe that these four areas embody the vision and values set forth by the California Master Plan for Higher Education. We look forward to being part of the conversation on how to bring that vision into the 21st century.

On behalf of our ASI Board of Directors and ASI President, Harpreet Bath, I would like to extend an invitation for collaboration throughout the year. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this policy agenda please do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to collaborating with you and working toward the goal of making California State University, Fullerton the model for comprehensive education in the nation.

Kelsey BrewerChief Governmental OfficerAssociated Students, CSUF, Inc

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to planEleanor Roosevelt

associated students, csuf, inc. Higher Education Policy Agenda4

ACCESSIBILITY

Focus Area 1: Accessibility for DREAMer studentsThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Advocate to policy and decision makers to improve the level of accessibility at CSUF

ProvidesDREAMerstudentswiththefinancialresourcestoattendCSUFContinuessupportforDACA(DeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals)PromotescollaborationamongstCaliforniahighschoolsandtheCSUtoensureundocumentedstudentsareDREAMereligible

StreamlinestheoverallapplicationandadmissionprocessforDREAMerstudents

Focus Area 2: Accessibility for Transfer StudentsThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

CreatesaclearerprocessoftransferfromaCaliforniacommunitycollegetoCSUFEliminatesstudentsneedtoduplicateclassesinordertotransferAllowsstudentstoretaintheirclassstandingwhentransferringintooursystem

Focus Area 3: Overall AccessibilityThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

ProvidestheCSUsystemwithadequatefundingtoenrollallCSUeligiblestudentsPrioritizesin-statestudentswhengrantingadmissioninaccordancewiththeCaliforniaMasterPlanforHigherEducation

5AFFORDABILITY

Focus Area 1: Cal Grants for CSUF StudentsThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Advocate to policy and decision makers to maintain and improve the affordability of CSUF

IncreasestheamountofmoneyallocatedtoCalgranteligiblestudents IncreasestheamountofstudentseligibletoreceiveCalgrants ImprovestheeaseofreceivingCalgrantmoney,includingtheapplicationanddistributionprocessforstudents

Focus Area 2: Affordability for Every StudentThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Providesforafeedeferment/exemption/aidforbothsystem-basedandcampus-basedfeesforstudents

Providesaccesstoresponsible,lowinterestloansProvidesfinancialcounselingtostudentstoinformthemonthemultiple,responsiblewaystofinancetheireducation

Focus Area 3: Long Term AffordabilityThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Createsasustainablefundingmodel(thatemphasizestheStatesfinancialobligation,notthestudents)fortheCSUinapost-prop30fiscalenvironment

CreatesamoreequitabledistributionoffundsandfeesacrosstheCSUsystem

associated students, csuf, inc. Higher Education Policy Agenda6

QUALITY

Focus Area 1: Community, Safety, and DiversityThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Advocate to policy and decision makers to improve the quality of education that CSUF students receive

Providesresourcestocommunity-specificcenterswiththepurposeofmeetingstudentspecificeducationalneeds

ImprovesthelevelofphysicalsecurityorperceivedassuranceofsafetyoncampusExample:Improvingresourcesforsexualassaultsurvivors

Incorporatesdiversityandculturalcompetencytrainingand/oreducationforthegreaterCSUFstudentpopulation

Focus Area 2: Modern Facilities and TechnologyThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

ProvidesfundingtoaddresstheissueofdeferredmaintenanceontheCSUFcampusProvidesfundingtoupgradelearningspacesinordertoutilizeadvancedtechnologywithintheclassroom

Encouragestheuseofenvironmentally-friendlypracticesatCSUF

Focus Area 3: Classroom EnvironmentThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Providesresourcesandfundingforhiringandretainingfull-time,tenure-trackprofessors

ProvidesresourcesforincorporatingHighImpactPractices(HIPs)intotheclassroomEncouragesclasssizesthatarereasonableandresponsivetotheneedsofstudents

7TIME TO DEGREE

Focus Area 1: AdvisingThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Advocate to policy and decision makers to improve the time to degree for CSUF students

ImprovestheadvisortostudentratioatCSUFEncouragescrosstrainingandcommunicationamongtheGeneralEducationadvisingcenterandtheindividualacademicdepartmentsadvisingcenters

Promotesyearlyadvisingrequirementsforstudentsinordertoassureaccuracyofinformation

Focus Area 2: Expanded Course OfferingsThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

Providesfundingtoexpandthenumberofclassesavailableforheavilyimpactedcourses

DiversifiesthenumberofclassesavailabletosatisfyspecificgraduationrequirementsProvidesadditionalfinancialaidtostudentsseekingtotakecoursesduringintersessions/extendededucation

Expandsthenumberofcoursesavailableforintersession/extendededucation

Focus Area 3: Bottleneck CoursesThe Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:

EncouragesinnovationinsolvingthebottleneckproblemincriticalGeneralEducationclasses

Encouragesinnovationinsolvingthebottleneckproblemincrucial,major-specificprequisiteclasses