associated students, csuf, inc.

Higher Education Policy Agenda

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INTRODUCTION
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 nd 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: Afordability, 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 Brewer
Chief Governmental Ofcer
Associated Students, CSUF, Inc
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan
Eleanor Roosevelt
associated students, csuf, inc.
Higher Education Policy Agenda
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ACCESSIBILITY
Focus Area 1: Accessibility for DREAMer students
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Advocate to policy and decision makers to
improve the level of accessibility at CSUF
Provides DREAMer students with the fnancial resources to attend CSUF
Continues support for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Promotes collaboration amongst California high schools and the CSU to ensure
undocumented students are DREAMer eligible
Streamlines the overall application and admission process for DREAMer students
Focus Area 2: Accessibility for Transfer Students
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Creates a clearer process of transfer from a California community college to CSUF
Eliminates students need to duplicate classes in order to transfer
Allows students to retain their class standing when transferring into our system
Focus Area 3: Overall Accessibility
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Provides the CSU system with adequate funding to enroll all CSU eligible students
Prioritizes in-state students when granting admission in accordance with the California
Master Plan for Higher Education
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AFFORDABILITY
Focus Area 1: Cal Grants for CSUF Students
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Advocate to policy and decision makers to
maintain and improve the afordability of CSUF
Increases the amount of money allocated to Cal grant eligible students
Increases the amount of students eligible to receive Cal grants
Improves the ease of receiving Cal grant money, including the application and
distribution process for students
Focus Area 2: Afordability for Every Student
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Provides for a fee deferment/exemption/aid for both system-based and campus-based
fees for students
Provides access to responsible, low interest loans
Provides fnancial counseling to students to inform them on the multiple, responsible
ways to fnance their education
Focus Area 3: Long Term Afordability
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Creates a sustainable funding model (that emphasizes the States fnancial obligation,
not the students) for the CSU in a post-prop 30 fscal environment
Creates a more equitable distribution of funds and fees across the CSU system
associated students, csuf, inc.
Higher Education Policy Agenda
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QUALITY
Focus Area 1: Community, Safety, and Diversity
The 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
Provides resources to community-specifc centers with the purpose of meeting student
specifc educational needs
Improves the level of physical security or perceived assurance of safety on campus
Example: Improving resources for sexual assault survivors
Incorporates diversity and cultural competency training and/or education for the
greater CSUF student population
Focus Area 2: Modern Facilities and Technology
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Provides funding to address the issue of deferred maintenance on the CSUF campus
Provides funding to upgrade learning spaces in order to utilize advanced technology
within the classroom
Encourages the use of environmentally-friendly practices at CSUF
Focus Area 3: Classroom Environment
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Provides resources and funding for hiring and retaining full-time,
tenure-track professors
Provides resources for incorporating High Impact Practices (HIPs) into the classroom
Encourages class sizes that are reasonable and responsive to the needs of students
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TIME TO DEGREE
Focus Area 1: Advising
The 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
Improves the advisor to student ratio at CSUF
Encourages cross training and communication among the General Education advising
center and the individual academic departments advising centers
Promotes yearly advising requirements for students in order to assure
accuracy of information
Focus Area 2: Expanded Course Oferings
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Provides funding to expand the number of classes available for heavily
impacted courses
Diversifes the number of classes available to satisfy specifc graduation requirements
Provides additional fnancial aid to students seeking to take courses during
intersessions/extended education
Expands the number of courses available for intersession/extended education
Focus Area 3: Bottleneck Courses
The Associated Students will support any legislation or policy change that:
Encourages innovation in solving the bottleneck problem in critical
General Education classes
Encourages innovation in solving the bottleneck problem in crucial,
major-specifc prequisite classes