Johann Almeida, an undergraduate

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed in March signed an gucci bags executive order [PDF] establishing a new mandatory campus-based "student success fee" of $240 per year at CSU Los Angeles, even though there was no referendum on the issue and student groups involved in the consultation process took positions against the fee.

University documents [PDF] say the fee will allow CSU Los Angeles to increase retention and graduation rates by hiring more student advisers and a retention coordinator, providing support to a Summer Bridge program, moving the campus' technology infrastructure to a cloud-based system, and more.

Rather than pursue a student fee referendum, the university opted for an alternative consultation process permitted under state Education Code. This allowed campus groups – Associated Students Inc. and a student fee advisory committee that included student members – to weigh in on the initiative.

The student fee advisory committee recommended against the student success fee, saying they could not in good conscience vote on additional fees. Associated Students also gucci handbags passed a resolution opposing the fee in February.

Johann Almeida, an undergraduate economics major who sat on the advisory committee, said the university had not adequately considered other ways to increase graduation rates besides raising student fees.

"I wanted to make sure that we covered all of our bases before we asked students to cough up money at a time when a lot of other people are asking students to cough up money," he said. "Also, the students seemed to really not want it very uniformly, and I’m elected to represent the students."

Some students protested the student success fee in March, according to Intersections South LA.

"The alternative consultation process is more of a suggestion box gucci shirts than an actual seat at the table," said Chris Bowen, who is on the Associated Students Board of Directors.