Action Alerts

Since its creation by the Legislature, in 1955, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has continued to operate as the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. The Commission has never wavered from its central mission to make education beyond high school financially accessible to all Californians. The Commission provides financial aid policy analysis and leadership, in partnership with California’s colleges, universities, financial institutions, and financial aid associations.

CSAC representatives are selected from all of California’s higher education segments. The UC Student Association will be nominating 3-5 candidates to Governor Newsom to fill the UC student representative position for June 2019 – May 2021.

The application for this appointment is now closed.

Welcome to the sign-ups for the 2018 Basic Needs Security Case Competition, a first of its kind UC-wide effort to address the immediate, persistent, and alarming condition of basic needs insecurity across the UC. This competition is scheduled to take place during the national awareness week for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness.

HH Awareness Week is a national program that intends to shed light on issues related to hunger and homelessness in the United States (taking place from 11/10 – 11/18 this year). Our competition this year, however, will focus on engaging students with key basic needs issues specific to, and across the UC like quality of housing, and intersectional food security while at the same time challenging them to come up with creative solutions that are inclusive of the most marginalized student populations at the UC.

There is NO data analysis required, so students from all majors, years, and backgrounds will be on an even playing field and can find the event manageable.

Teams should be composed of 3-5 members. Team members can also be of different campus affiliations (ex: a team can comprise of students from both UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz).

For teams composed of all Berkeley students, please sign up in teams of 3-5 by FRIDAY, 11/9 7:59 PM at tinyurl.com/bnscomp18

Here are the systemwide competition prizes:
1st place: Opportunity to present solution at a 2019 UC Systemwide Basic Needs Committee Meeting, Cash Prize, Feature on UCSA’s website
2nd place: Cash Prize; Feature on UCSA’s website
3rd place: Cash Prize

Solutions are due on 11/17 at 4:59 PM. Our judges will review the submissions to decide who the winners are on the 17th & 18th. Winners will be notified and results will be announced online by 9:00am the next day (11/19)

For teams composed of all Berkeley students, here are the campus-specific competition prizes (teams will be considered for BOTH the systemwide prizes and campus-specific prizes)
1st place: lunch with Vice Chancellor of Equity & Inclusion Oscar Dubon, Jr. and a social media feature
2nd place: boba party for 20 people
3rd place: $25 gift cards/each to the Berkeley Student Food Collective

Here is the timeline for the Berkeley campus competition:
Sign up by FRIDAY, 11/9 7:59 PM at tinyurl.com/bnscomp18
Prompt released Saturday, 11/10
Solutions due Thursday, 11/15 4:59 PM
Finalists selected/notified Thursday night
Finalist presentations Friday 11/16 9 AM- 3 PM in ASUC Senate Chambers, 5th Floor Eshleman Hall
Campus winners announced Friday 11/16 5-7 PM

Judges:
Shahera Hyatt; Director – California Homeless Youth Project
Kamaljeet Singh-Khaira; Director – CalFresh Nutrition Education Program (UC CalFresh)
Tim Galarneau; Co-Chair – Global Food Initiative

Questions? Email vviyer@ucsc.edu or saratsai112@berkeley.edu

A growing number of universities, but not the UC, have opted to stop requiring the SAT and ACT in their admissions process, saying the tests place an unfair cost and burden on low-income and minority students, and ultimately hinder efforts to broaden diversity on campus.

UCSA is calling on individuals and organizations to add your name to sign this petition. Tell UC to stop the practice of mandating these requirements.

Note: This petition is now closed. The information below is provided for archival purposes.

The big looming decision in Washington D.C. right now is on tax reform. President Trump and the GOP have made it a priority to push forward comprehensive tax reform. Both the House and Senate have recently unveiled their tax reform plans, which include several provisions that could increase the tax burden on students and hinder access and affordability of public higher education. The House plan passed, but there is still time for us to mobilize to stop the plan in the Senate. The bill would eliminate the deduction for student loan interest, eliminate the exemption on tuition waivers and repeal several tax credits that help students and families afford college.

The House plans to vote on H.R. 1 this week, so the time to take action is NOW!

1) Call your Federal Representatives
2) Sign ​t​his Petition
3) Spread the word on Social Media​

Other Ways to Take Action Now

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD THE WORD

Click here for photos you can download and share.

CALL YOUR FEDERAL LEGISLATORS

The tax plan passed the House but still needs to be stopped in the Senate. Follow the steps below and voice your concerns. For your convenience, we also have included the contact information of some relevant legislators.

• Find who your US Senate representatives are – both at college and at home – https://callyourrep.co/.
• Call their office. You will be connected with one of their staff members.
• Tell them your name, ZIP code, and that you are a full time undergraduate/graduate student at your UC campus.
• Share your opinion on tax reform. Here’s a sample script on what to say…
  “Hello! My name is [___] and I’m calling from [zip code]. I’m calling to ask Representative [Name] to oppose the tax reform plan. I am a full time undergraduate/graduate student, and the current plan would greatly hurt my family and I. The bill would eliminate the deduction for student loan interest payments, eliminate the exemption on tuition waivers, and repeal several key tax credits that help my family and I afford college. As a student, I already struggle to make ends meet. To be clear, this is plan is not a tax cut for me – it’s an increase. Please take down my information so that you can let me know what Senator [Name] is doing to stop this plan from going forward.”

• Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Chair
• Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
• Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
• Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
• Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA)

• Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member
• Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
• Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
• Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
• Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
• Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
• Mark Warner (D-VA)

• Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-1), Speaker of the House
• Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), House Minority Leader
• Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader
• Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader
• Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Assistant Minority Leader

UCSA is conducting interviews to capture the experiences of underrepresented UC students living first hand through the new Trump administration. Through these in-depth interviews, we hope to provide a detailed, intersectional look into the student experience under a national polarizing political climate. We seek to determine if feelings of marginalization, vulnerability, and or resiliency by underrepresented students have recently intensified.

We are no longer accepting applications to participate.