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Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Volume 163 No. 3 SERVING SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934
WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY
ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
San José State University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson who assumed her position in January of 2023, speaks out to an audience of students at Transformation 2030.
SJSU president talks affordability In working with financial aid, we were COPY EDITOR able to identify students who met the criterion to The Spartan Daily in- be eligible for the subsiterviewed San José State dized housing, which is President, Cynthia Teni- significantly reduced. ente-Matson, on Friday to discuss three topics Those beds are full, so that are currently affect- we did a concerted outing students on campus. reach to make sure that This interview was split students who needed into two parts. Part 1 was or wanted housing who published in Tuesday’s met this criteria could edition and Part 2 will move in. cover Teniente-Matson’s response to questions I feel very excited on student housing and about it, and all the stufinancial aid. dents that I’ve talked to are very excited about Q: One of the more it as well. We have 5005 exciting things that’s beds (at SJSU). happening is the Spartan Village on the The only vacancy we Paseo. Could you tell have that we’ve intenme a little bit about it tionally taken out of inand tell me what stu- ventory (is) for students dents should be excited who may face housfor? ing insecurity over the course of the semester to A: We opened up 679 have access to temporary beds in that facility, and housing. 124 of those — not just there, but across our inThat program’s been in ventory — are now avail- place for a couple years able to be substantially (and) it was in place bediscounted as affordable fore I arrived. housing, which means Q: I think we can all it’s a subsidized housing agree that only 30% allotment. By Alina Ta
Correction On Aug. 21 The Spartan Daily published a story, “Remembering SJSU Judo legend” in which we misidentified the youngest daughter of Yoshihiro Uchida, Aileen Reiko Uchida. The Spartan Daily regrets this error.
of whatever you earn We’re working harder should go into housing. to ensure students — especially those in need — However, most of are aware of scholarship the housing available opportunities that may still — even with what's exist for them to help available at the Paseo meet their immediate — could still be consid- needs. ered unaffordable at the moment. For both housing, food and other basic The majority of those needs, and to get the rooms are between support that they need $1,800 to $1,300 per at SJSU Cares, as well as month to house two to through other case manfour people and (for) agement type of services most students, that to meet their longer term would not be 30% of needs. their earnings. Q: Do you believe at Although I do un- the moment that the derstand it's very nice housing right now is to hear that (around) affordable, especially 120 of the beds are af- with access to these refordable, it would also sources? be nice to hear if both the dorms in the housA: I believe that housing at the Paseo could ing is affordable with acmaybe perhaps be low- cess to resources. er than $1,300. And for those students Is there any way the who are truly priced out university has any oth- of the market, what we’re er resources that can be trying to do is — like I provided to students to mentioned, (the) 124 help them afford hous- beds (that) we didn’t ing, especially after have that before — to hearing recent news on grow that number even SNAP (Supplemental higher to provide more Nutrition Assistance options for subsidized Program) benefits and housing for other stuthe tuition increase? dents. A: We are working — like we always have — with all students on their financial aid options through the Pell Grants, which is a federal program, through Cal Grant, which is a state program. Many other scholarship programs are available for students.
(Michelle Smith Mc- ucation. Donald, Senior Director of Media Relations): We We’re working hard to have a little more than ensure we are not drop5,005 beds (overall). ping students for lack of non-payment early. So we’re 94% occupancy (overall). We We’re doing everyhave a small wait list for thing we can to bring people who are looking more resources to our for apartments. Spartan university for scholarVillage at the Paseo is at ships and for aid purpos96% occupancy so we're es, so that it is attainable nearly full. for them to complete their college degree. Q: The CSU has confirmed the tuition I think the other real increase, — it's been issue is ensuring that around a year — and students have the pathnow that the pandemic way and the ability to has eased up a bit, and complete their courses the university is trying within four years. to bring back that enrollment. I do want to When you talk about see if there any resourc- cost, you want students es for students to access to complete their decertain grants, certain grees in four years. resources to help students afford not only Which means stuhousing on this cam- dents should be looking pus, but tuition as well? to maximize the units that they can enroll in A: In terms of afford- to graduate on a timely ability, (SJSU is) afford- basis, and making sure able in comparison to that they understand all of the other national the trade-offs when they universities. take fewer credits.
Similar to housing, we are working to provide more scholarship opportunities for students, ensuring that students We’re working to- know all the resourcwards that within our es that are available to housing resources and them. other external agencies I do think it's confusthat may have funding available for our stu- ing to understand all of the federal aid and the dents. pathways to that, and So we’re looking at all this year in particular community assets and with the kerfuffle with community resources to FAFSA, that had nothhelp us do that. ing to do with us but the Department of Ed-
We also are looking to provide more internship opportunities over the summer for students (such as) paid internships so students are earning good wages and getting their foot into a career pathway with employers.
PRESIDENT | Page 2