Soon every CSU campus may have students directly involved in administrative actions around campus.

Currently a plan is underway to officially place students on many decision-making committees within the CSU system. Sacramento State President Donald Gerth and California State Student Association Chairman Shaun Lumachi plan to make a recommendation to the chancellor?s office in the near future.

In a teleconference with CSU Chancellor Charles Reed last week, he said the issue has to do with the inclusion of students by university presidents in the decision-making process. “I support collegiality,” Reed said. “I have complete respect for students who want to become involved.”

Currently, presidents are not required to discuss issues with students. However, President Gerth has traditionally involved students in the decision-making process at Sacramento State. Students, typically appointed by ASI or elected by the student body, sit on decision-making boards such as the University Union Board, the Transportation Advisory Committee and the Grade Appeals Board.

“The voice of students is exceedingly important to the well-being of a healthy university,” Gerth said in a memo to his Administrative Council regarding collegiality. “We want to be as supportive as we possibly can be. I hope that on this campus, students will be actively involved in many ways.”

Lumachi would like to use the proposal to solidify the involvement of students within the CSU system in the future.

“Times change, students change. This proposal will ensure that we will be a part of the decision-making process at universities,” he said.

A proposal from CSSA to the Board of Trustees charges that “The Board of Trustees shall adopt a policy that provides students the opportunity to participate consistently and effectively in university policy making on issues that have a significant impact on students.”

The proposal also states that “students shall be provided an opportunity to participate in formulation and development of university policies and procedures that have or will have a significant effect on students. This right includes the opportunity to participate in processes for jointly developing recommendations to the Presidents, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees regarding such policies and procedures.”

The proposal also lists policies and procedures that will have a “significant effect on students” which include, among others, admissions criteria, grading policies, codes of student conduct, disciplinary policies, student fees and financial aid.

“By allowing students some input in the process, [shared governance] gives students the ability to be part of leadership and expands their future possibilities,” Lumachi said.

The proposal will be reviewed at a meeting of the CSU presidents next week. The proposal will go back to CSSA for revision and will eventually be considered by Chancellor Reed and the Board of Trustees.