Student Wellness Initiative
The ASI Student Wellness Initiative has earned unanimous support of the Student Fee Advisory Committee, and our student proposal is now with President Virjee for consideration.
The engagement of the student body—connecting fellow classmates and getting presentations of this Initiative into classrooms—is the reason we had an overwhelming response to ASI’s Student Wellness Initiative survey. Titans are calling for more wellness resources, to improve access and equity for more students, at a cost that can only be afforded through our collective investment.
The ASI Student Wellness Initiative is a student-led project to improve our collective health and wellness here at Cal State Fullerton. The resources and programs available to us are vital to our success, especially in this post-pandemic world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ASI Student Wellness Initiative?
The ASI Student Wellness Initiative is a student-led project to improve campus health and wellness resources and programs in service to CSUF students.
What has been done so far as part of the process?
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.
In 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.
On March 2, 2023, ASI held 2 kick-off events to officially launch the alternative consultation process. Showrooms brought information interactive opportunities for the students to engage with the initiative.
On April 18, 2023, the Board of Directors voted 12-to-1 in support of ASI’s Student Wellness Initiative.
On April 28, 2023, the Student Fee Advisory Committee unanimously voted 12-to-0 to recommend ASI’s Student Wellness Initiative for President Virjee’s approval.
What is the proposed fee increase and fee schedule?
The mandatory Category II fee would increase in phases. The proposed fee schedule is as follows:
- Fall 2024 will see an increase of $49/semester, expanding ASI’s existing scholarships, club funding, and provide additional programming for ICCs and concerts.
- Fall 2025 will see an increase of $65/semester, starting the process of designing spaces and funding the management of construction projects.
- Fall 2026 will see an increase of $127/semester, beginning construction, hiring Wellness and Operational staff.
- Fall 2027 will see an increase of $199/semester, opening the buildings and new Wellness resources for students.
The total increase per semester by Fall 2027 would amount to $440.
How will the ASI Student Wellness Initiative help CSUF students?
The goal of the ASI Student Wellness Initiative would help improve and expand resources, programs, information, and events that will help the student body with their health and wellness.
Why is ASI doing an ASI Student Wellness Initiative?
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 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.
What is Alternative Consultation?
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.
Why Alternative Consultation?
We recognize the need to support CSUF students’ health and wellness. We have done the studies, read the research, talked with students and the broader campus community, and heard the concerns and the demands. Now, we want to know more! Alternative consultation means we are committed to talking with as many students and stakeholders as possible. In the simplest terms, we are committed to sharing information, listening to what students want and need, and how we can do that responsibly and transparently.
How is ASI funded?
ASI is funded through mandatory student fees (Category II fees) that every enrolled student contributes to maintain the existing building, provide programs and services, and pay off the mortgage/debt of the facilities. The Campus Union Fee supports programming, staffing, maintenance, and operations of the Titan Student Union and the Student Recreation Center. Similar fees are at every CSU supporting their ASI and student facilities. The last time the Union fee had a major increase was the year 2000. The fee has been incorporated with a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase and is adjusted every 3 years. CPI is attached to most fees to ensure expenses can be covered due to inflationary increases.
What is the current fee?
The current union fee is $155.99 per semester ($68.01 in the summer).
What does the Campus Union Fee support?
This fee covers the cost of construction and operation of the Titan Student Union and the Student Recreation Center. ASI is responsible for all the expenses of staffing and operating these facilities, debt service, building improvements, and repairs. Staffing costs, particularly student staff, represent a large portion of operating costs. It also funds programs, events, and services within the facilities.
When would the increased Union fee go into effect?
The plan would be a phased in approach over three years, beginning in Fall 2024.
Will my financial aid cover it?
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
What will the ASI Student Wellness Initiative offer students?
Based on feedback from students during the alternative consultation process in Spring 2023, the ASI Student Wellness Initiative might include such things as:
- Wellness Center
- Centralized basic needs
- Enhanced ASI programming and services
- Expansion and modernization of Student Rec Center and Titan Student Union
- Increased scholarship support
- Diversity Initiatives & Resources Centers (DIRC) funding
How will the new spaces look?
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.
If approved, when will the renovations start and how long will they take?
Programming and services would start in Fall 2024. Infrastructure projects would begin no earlier than the summer of 2025 and are estimated to last approximately two years, depending on any phasing of facility improvements.
Would ASI services and facilities still be open during construction?
We intend for the construction to progress in phases to ensure the buildings remain open for operation for the campus community during the project. ASI is committed to reducing as much disruption as possible and continuing to offer dining, programs, and services to students.
How do our Union/Student Center fees compare to other CSUs?
On average, CSU Union/Student Center fees are between $121 to $460 per semester, as of the 2022 – 2023 academic year. CSUF’s current Union/Student Center fee is $155.99 per semester (or $311.98 per year).
While we have the largest enrollment in the entire CSU system—comprised of 23 campuses—we are ranked 17th as far as total mandatory fees, including in the Union/Student Center fees category. This means 16 other CSUs charge students more than CSUF students are charged. This increasing difference in fees has caused disparities in the resources offered at CSUF.
How many student employees work for ASI?
Associated Student Inc. is one of the top employers of students on campus. Throughout the year, ASI employs almost 400 students. The ASI Student Wellness Initiative will offer opportunities for an additional 75 student jobs.
Don’t we already have a wellness center?
Student Affairs currently provides a variety of wellness services through TitanWell, Student Health Center, and CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services), including a wellness room. The ASI Student Wellness Initiative will provide funding to services that are complementary to the existing framework of services provided on campus. Taking a holistic approach that considers the deep benefits of non-clinical opportunities, this initiative endeavors to address the many dimensions of wellness.
What other CSUs have a wellness center?
Cal State Northridge and Chico State currently have stand-alone wellness centers. Many other CSUs have either wellness centers in existing student unions or rec centers or are currently looking for dedicated space to offer wellness services.
What other CSUs have expanded, rebuilt, or renovated their student center spaces?
The following CSU campuses have renovated, expanded, or built new student unions or recreation centers in the last ten years:
- CSU Dominguez Hills
- CSU San Marcos
- CSU Bakersfield
- CSU Long Beach
- CSU San Bernardino
- Sacramento State
- Stanislaus State
- San Diego State
Who ensures the fees collected will be used for the ASI programs and services?
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.
Why can’t this money be applied towards academics?
Student body center fees can only be used for student-led organizations like the Associated Students Inc. ASI only has legal authority over the facilities, programs, and services we run and operate. Academic facilities must be funded by the State of California and CSU.
How will students continue to stay involved in the 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.
Connect with Us
For all presentation requests, please contact:
Asha Nettles
Director, Student Government
asiwellness@fullerton.edu or
Student Wellness Initiative Presentation Request
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Jenni Chang
Director, Organizational Communication & Outreach
jennchang@fullerton.edu
Archived
The following Student Wellness Initiative information has been archived, but is available here for reference.
Digital Content (Archived May 1, 2023)
We will continue to provide digital content about the ASI Student Wellness Initiative here as it becomes available.
ASI Student Wellness Initiative Presentation
Full Presentation Video (9:33)
ASI Student Wellness Initiative Presentation: Potential Solutions
1. New Wellness Center (:018)
2. Centralized Basic Needs Center (0:13)
3. Scholarships (0:38)
4. Enhancing ASI’s Current Programs & Services (0:32)
5. Expanding Student Recreation Center (0:17)
6. Expanding Titan Student Union (0:19)
7. Support for DIRC (0:19)
Pros and Cons (Archived May 1, 2023)
PROS:
Student health and wellness needs deserve attention. A 2021 survey of CSUF students found that 49% feel stress, 38% face anxiety, 27% have sleep difficulties, and 26% have suffered from depression. Creating a holistic wellness center to complement existing campus programs could help our students in areas where they are currently underserved. Locating campus basic needs services in a single location, as a “one-stop-shop” would provide easy access for students facing multiple heath insecurities. And increasing funding for ASI scholarships, DIRC initiatives and ASI programs and services will help students financially and to enjoy more cultural and exiting programs on campus. Support for the initiative would be a step in the right direction toward promoting student well-being.
CONS:
The ASI Student Wellness Initiative could potentially increase the CSUF Campus Union Fee (a Category II Fee) by hundreds of dollars annually. Though many students may experience the benefits of the Initiative, others may see an increase in fees without accessing the new services or programs. That means money that could go to pay for other things, like rent or bills, wouldn’t be available. Lack of support for raising the Campus Union Fee to support the ASI Student Wellness Initiative would mean that fees would stay lower, furthering the university’s goal of providing an affordable education.
Upcoming Events (Archived May 1, 2023)
Below are events relating to ASI’s Student Wellness Initiative. Information will be added throughout the Spring 2023 semester.
Mobile Showroom
Join us for student-led mobile presentations and food opportunities at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, April 4, 10AM-2PM, Farmers’ Market
Wednesday, April 5, Noon-1:30PM, Humanities Terrace
Information Sessions
All information sessions below will be held in the Grand Stair Studio.
Students that join us will receive free food and movie tickets!
Monday, March 20, 11AM-Noon
Tuesday, March 21, 2PM-3PM
Wednesday, March 22, 5:30PM-6PM
Thursday, March 23, 5:30PM-6PM
Monday, April 3, 5PM-6PM
Tuesday, April 4, 9AM-10AM
Thursday, April 6, 10AM-11AM
Friday, April 7, 1PM-2PM
ASI Student Wellness Initiative Showroom
March 8, 2023 through April 14, 2023
10AM-2PM, Monday-Friday
Main Level, Grand Stair Landing
ASI Student Wellness Initiative Kick-Off Event
March 2, 2023
11AM-2PM in the Quad | 4PM-6PM on Tuffy Lawn