The CSSA provides a unified voice for over 405,000 students in the CSU system. It represents each of the system’s 23 universities.
Torrico is the author of AB 656 to increase funding to community colleges, the CSU and the University of California systems. The increased funding would come from levying an oil severance tax in California. Currently, California is the only oil-producing state that does not levy such a tax. More than 20 other states have such a tax and some charge over 10 percent.
AB 656 would create the California Higher Education Endowment Corporation to administer the funds generated by the tax. The endowment would be overseen by a board consisting of higher education officials, faculty and students.
“Our state gains a tremendous return on investment for every dollar we put into higher education,” Torrico said. “Aside from educating the next generation of teachers, nurses and engineers, these colleges and universities are also important economic hubs within their cities and fuel economic activity by supplying a large customer base and jobs.”
Over the last decade, the percentage of state spending allocated to the UC and CSU has decreased steadily. The students have shouldered a larger burden for funding through consistent fee increases in both systems.
Torrico is a vocal proponent of student activism and civic engagement. He has frequently spoken on campuses and community workshops about the need for students to participate in the political process. He organized a Summit on Student Civic Engagement at Cal State University, East Bay and espouses the importance of community activism in his meetings with high school and university students.
Torrico will be honored next month at the awards banquet of the 14th Annual California Higher Education Student Summit. |
