This one-of-a-kind opportunity is designed to give students skills in civic engagement and empower them to be advocates for social change.
The students will spend two full days in training culminating with a press conference. That will be followed by “CSU Student Advocacy Day at the State Capitol” on Monday, April 20, focused on funding for higher education.
“It is an experience to advocate for students both at the Capital and here at HSU,” says Brandon Chapin, student organizer and California State Student Association Representative for the Associated Students (AS).
Chapin attended CHESS last year and is organizing this year’s trip. CHESS is designed to build professional skills and relationships within the political sphere. Chapin emphasizes the benefits of meeting with political representatives. “It puts a face on legislators and other people in the Capitol.”
For their training the students can choose one of five tracks: Legislature and Lobbying, Campus Action, Student Leadership, Multicultural Perspectives or Statewide Student Issues.
These five tracks help students hone in on their own special skill sets and refine their leadership abilities.
In addition, the students meet legislators and policymakers in person including CSU Chancellor Charles Reed and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.
Chapin has arranged for the HSU students to personally meet with Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, Sen. Pat Wiggins, Asseblymember Jim Nielsen and Sen. Sam Aanestad.
AS has been sending students to CHESS for 14 years to provide students with hands-on political experience. CHESS is considered a stepping stone for students to learn about and get involved with AS. Several of the students attending CHESS are currently in AS or preparing to run for next year’s office positions.
Associated Students calls itself the “official voice through which the students may express their opinions.” AS allocates student fee monies to 23 student-run programs, educating students about current affairs that directly affect them and advocating for student perspectives.
Chapin says, on meeting former AS students in Sacramento that now hold public office, “It is really cool to see people excel after being in AS.”