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.
The mandatory Category II fee would increase in phases. The proposed fee schedule is as follows:
The total increase per semester by Fall 2027 would amount to $440.
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.
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.
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.
Based on feedback from students during the alternative consultation process in Spring 2023, the ASI Student Wellness Initiative might include such things as:
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.
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.
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.
The following CSU campuses have renovated, expanded, or built new student unions or recreation centers in the last ten years:
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.
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
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:
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.
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