California State Student Association

Programs

1. California Higher Education Student Summit - The California Higher Education Student Summit is the California State Student Association's (CSSA) annual conference that engages 250 students in public higher education policy making. During a two-day conference held at the state capital, students attend various speaker sessions and participate in workshop trainings on leadership, governance, higher education topics, public policy, the legislative process, and advocacy. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to communicate their perspective pertaining to higher education issues. Student leave the conference prepared to effectively participate in the policy making process as advocates. Participants are provided the unique opportunity to collaborate and network with their peers to learn about the diverse issues affecting students across the state of California.

   $216,168 spent
   18% of program spending

2. California Public Policy Engagement - CSSA maintains ongoing student engagement with public policy advocacy as a crucial aspect of its mission. CSSA provides policy analysis training to students by facilitating engagement with various stakeholders including research institutions, legislators, institutional administrators, and advocacy organizations. Students are provided with legislative analysis, travel to participate in/observe governmental policy processes, and communication materials to advocate student policy positions to policymakers. Students are trained to represent themselves and advocate their perspectives in regular meetings with stakeholders. As a result of their involvement in these activities, students learn how to navigate the policy-making process, how to determine policy priorities, and ultimately how to advocate on behalf of students on relevant student issues.

   $214,802 spent
   18% of program spending

3. Student Nonprofit Board Development - CSSA's board is comprised of students from across the California State University (CSU) system. Through monthly conferences of approximately fifty student leaders in roles of directors, officers, and committee members, students are trained on how to effectively carry out the mission of a nonprofit organization. Training is centered on instilling nonprofit principles; duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience. Students learn how to determine program priorities, set agendas, parliamentary procedure, budget development, and fiduciary/legal responsibilities for a nonprofit organization. The program adheres to a 1-year cycle with new students installed every fiscal year. Students gain valuable skills and knowledge directly applicable to future professional careers in public policy and nonprofit service after college.

   $192,381 spent
   16% of program spending

4. 1. California State University Shared Governance - CSSA maintains a comprehensive program of shared governance for students engagement with the California State University governance structure. CSSA facilitates student participation on various university committees and workgroups and regular engagement between student leaders and the university administration and CSU Board of Trustees. Students participate in university initiatives and directly engage the CSU administration on systemwide student issues. This program results in student-centered decision making by university leaders, ongoing conversations between student and university leaders, and recognition of student-led initiatives by the board of trustees and administrators. Students are provided with travel, staffing, and leadership opportunities to participate in university system policy making. CSSA enhances and creates opportunities for student representation in university decision making processes, including the recommendation of the Student Trustee candidate for the gubernatorial appointment to the CSU Board of Trustees.

   $164,223 spent
   14% of program spending

5. 2. ScholarshipsDescription: CSSA awards scholarships to student leaders on the basis of merit for service and leadership. This program provides tuition and cost of attendance assistance to CSU students to ensure they are able to participate in leadership opportunities while succeeding academically.

   $133,599 spent
   11% of program spending

6. 3. CSUnity ConferenceDescription: CSUnity is an annual conference that educates 200 students in navigating the California State University System and prepares them to address issues students face on their campuses. During a two-day conference held at a California State University campus, students attend various speaker sessions and participate in workshop trainings on leadership, governance, higher education topics, public policy, and advocacy. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to communicate their perspective pertaining to student issues in order to effectively participate in the university policy making process locally at the campus-level. Participants are provided the unique opportunity to collaborate and network with their peers to learn about the various diverse viewpoints of students across the state of California.

   $115,216 spent
   10% of program spending

7. 4. Leadership DevelopmentDescription: The student board members, officers, and staff are afforded opportunities to receive professional development through state and national conferences and educational trainings. CSSA provides travel and registration/training fees for conferences pertaining to various topics applicable to higher education including, campus sustainability, university student affairs, student basic needs initiatives, university policy, and student leadership, among others. In addition, student officers are provided with mentorship partners from professional staff in the areas of governance, fiduciary responsibility, policy analysis, and nonprofit governance to train them as professional leaders. Annually, officers and staff participate in retreats to strengthen skills pertaining to leadership, communication, collaboration, efficacy and values.

   $82,704 spent
   7% of program spending

8. 5. Student OutreachDescription: Part of CSSA's mission is to reach out to the general CSU student population and inform them of their student rights, opportunities for involvement, and to inform them of pertinent higher education issues. Student outreach is conducted via communication campaigns, public relations efforts, and engagement of the CSSA student board with their respective campus populations. CSSA utilizes various avenues to make information on systemwide and legislative policies accessible and available to students at large.

   $70,430 spent
   6% of program spending

The 8 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $1,189,523.