Support of Federal TRIO Programs

AS-2692-05/TEKR - March 10-11, 2005

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) affirm its support for federally funded TRIO programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, and other programs) located at most of the campuses of the CSU; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recognize the contributions made by federal TRIO programs that continue to provide access to the CSU for first generation college-bound students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU value the contributions made by staff and faculty working within federal TRIO programs who have contributed significantly to student retention and success on campuses where TRIO programs are present; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to advocate strongly for continued federal funding of all the CSU federal TRIO programs in recognition of their contribution to the mission of the CSU and the economic and social vitality of the State of California; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this resolution be forwarded to the CSU Governmental Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., for distribution to the chairs of the appropriate House of Representatives and Senate Committees; and be it further

RATIONALE: Federal TRIO programs, located on most CSU campuses, have provided generations of historically underserved and first generation college-bound secondary school students with academic support and counseling services that contributed to their academic success as college students. TRIO programs began with Upward Bound and The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the War on Poverty. Talent Search and Student Support Services, originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, became the second and third legs in a series of educational opportunity programs for students in need of academic assistance. Nine programs are currently in the TRIO family of federally funded grants. These programs provide approximately $3,000,000 to more than 3,000 students on nine CSU campuses in Southern California alone. Funding for TRIO programs is currently under review for redirection by the U. S. Department of Education. The ability of the CSU to recruit and retain disadvantaged and underrepresented first generation college-attending students would be substantially impaired, if these programs lose their financial support and cease operations.