Student Wellness Initiative

In November 2022, a survey was sent to all students to better understand the health and wellness needs of the CSUF student community. 3,306 students completed the survey.

 

In January 2023, in-person sessions were conducted to follow up on the survey results, and there was an opportunity for students to provide feedback via qualitative research engagement.

 

And in late February, the CSUF Student Fee Advisory Committee voted to approve ASI to move forward to an alternative consultation process to share information and gather feedback from CSUF students. 

According to the American College Health Association’s survey (ACHA-National College Health Assessment) of CSUF students, anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties were the top factors negatively impacting their academic performance. In addition, 20% of student respondents reported receiving psychological or mental health services within the last 12 months.

 

Even with robust counseling and psychological services available on campus, our students need more significant support. ASI has recognized—and is in the process of clarifying—opportunities to enhance students’ basic and wellness needs. Basic-needs services on the CSUF campus are currently based in three separate areas: McCarthy Hall, the Titan Student Union, and Titan Hall. With the presently disjointed bases for such kindred services, students seeking assistance may need to visit more than one base or may visit the wrong base seeking basic-needs support.  

 

ASI annually awards 11 scholarships, with 59 recipients receiving $1,000 each, to help pay for college. The money has stayed the same for many years, dating back to the 1990s, while inflation has drastically increased, especially in recent years.

 

Clubs and Organizations, events and concerts, and services and programs for students are facing funding challenges because of increased costs related to building maintenance and repairs, employee costs, and minimum wage.  

 

The Student Recreation Center was built half the size necessary for the student population of CSUF; and the Titan Student Union Food Court is crowded, outdated, and lacks affordability and variety.

Alternative consultation is an alternative to the referendum process to ensure appropriate and meaningful consultation from the campus community, particularly students, when adjusting a Category II mandatory fee, like the Campus Union Fee. Alternative consultation strategies depend on input from the student body association and the Student Fee Advisory Committee to ensure the process is transparent and meaningful. 

 

The alternative consultation process is designed to 1) engage large portions of the student body; 2) educate students on the issues and components of the ASI Student Wellness Initiative; and 3) gather information to shape the improvements to ASI. 

 

For additional information, read Executive Order 1102 and the CSU Fee Policy on Referendums and Alternative Consultation Processes. 

Yes, the Campus Union Fee is a mandatory student fee and would factor into students’ total cost of education and impacts on estimated family contribution. Therefore, financial aid (including grants and loans) can be used to cover increases in these mandatory fees. If the fee does increase, individual student financial aid will also increase to cover the fee increase. Always defer to the financial aid office with any questions related to student fees and/or financial aid.

• 97% of students receive Financial Aid in some form
• 75% of students leave CSUF with no debt

The final “design” of the facilities will be decided through shared governance with student leaders and your feedback. We will include the involvement of students and the campus community in many elements of the design process. 

CSU Executive Order EO 1102 states the following about mandatory fees such as this fee (Category II):  “The campus president shall provide to the fee advisory committee a report of all fees in Categories II, III, IV and V. New fees, fee increases, total revenue and unexpended balances should be included. 

 

Each campus shall report annually to the chancellor, for the most recently completed fiscal year, a complete inventory of all fees in categories II, III, IV and V, including current year fee rates, the total revenue collected in the past year for each fee, and the remaining balance for each fee. The Category II fee report shall be presented to the board by the chancellor to allow the board to consider the level and range of campus mandatory fees charged to students.” 

 

Not only is our university mandated to report on the use of this fee, but as the organization led by students for students, ASI will ensure that the increased union fee is going towards programs and services deemed important during the alternative consultation process.

Student input is critical in this process to shape the ASI Student Wellness Initiative through the alternative consultation process and beyond. Students guide the operations and direction through the ASI Board of Directors elected by the student body. The Student Fee Advisory Committee, where students comprise a majority of members, will make a final recommendation to the University President whether to proceed with the ASI Student Wellness Initiative. Participation by this group, other stakeholder groups, and the general student will occur throughout the programming and design process. After all the feedback and data is gathered, ASI will share the results with the SFAC committee on April 28, 2023. SFAC will then make a final recommendation to the University President.