Re: Stand with the CSU and Invest in the State’s Students
Dear (Insert Legislative Information):
I ask you to stand with the students of the California State University by making the CSU a priority in this year’s budget negotiations. While the Governor’s budget proposal is a step in the right direction, we need to ensure the state is providing enough funding to better support students as well as the economic and social health of your district and community. This means addressing infrastructure needs, increasing enrollments, ensuring access to classes and supporting students so they can earn their degree.
An additional $97 million to the CSU will allow its campuses to:
 Serve 12,000 more students. For the past five years, the university has been forced to turn away between 20,000 – 30,000 fully admissible students each year. Additional funding from the state would allow the system to increase its enrollment by 3 percent.

Hire more tenure-track faculty and academic advisors. If the CSU budget request is fully funded, the system will target $38 million for hiring and investing in proven student retention strategies. These efforts are central to CSU’s ongoing efforts to continue to increase graduation rates.
 Repair aging campuses. Nearly 50 percent of CSU state buildings are more than 40 years old and in need of renovation and repair. The CSU’s critical maintenance needs totals $1.8 billion. The CSU needs on-going funding to be able to address deteriorating infrastructure.
Investment in the CSU is both smart and affordable. This funding will provide courses and support services across the system, including my alma mater – CSU, Chico. We strongly urge you to sign onto the legislative letter being circulated by your colleagues asking that the Legislature and Governor provide at least $97 million more than what the Governor proposed for CSU.
Given the significant impact the CSU has on California’s workforce and economy, it is critical that you stand up and support the CSU and its students this year.