Members of the California State Student Association filled the Redwood Room in the University Union for a welcome reception following a board meeting earlier in the day as part of the California Higher Education Student Summit conference.

The reception saw student government directors from all 23 California State University campuses, including Sacramento State.

After refreshments, Zachary Corbo, civic engagement coordinator for Sac State, spoke briefly before giving the floor to Associated Students Inc. President Lauren Lombardo.

“We’re proud to have so many student leaders from across the state here on campus tonight,” Lombardo said. “Thank you for your dedication to the 447,000 students in our system that you’ll be advocating for in the next two days.”

Lombardo went on to introduce Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez, mentioning his 36 years of service to the CSU and his upcoming retirement.

Gonzalez mentioned the level of pride on campus with both men’s and women’s basketball for the first time in history being ranked where they could win championships in their respective leagues.

“I’m hoping to cancel where I have to be and instead be at the NCAA playoffs,” Gonzalez said. “Even though if we win, we play Kentucky.”

Gonzalez has hopes of the CSSA achieving the goals it’s advocating for, describing the powerful effect of students coming together to address commonplace issues such as class impaction and high tuition fees.

The CSSA will continue to meet on campus for the next two days to advocate and appeal to policymakers on student concerns.

“Hopefully they’ll learn about the process of being able to get the message out on what they want to do, interact with the legislators and staffers that are going to be there and get the message out that the CSU is good,” Gonzalez said.