California State University, Fresno student Russell Statham, who serves as a California State University student trustee, will explain budget issues to students from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today, July 16, in the University Student Union, Room 311.

The student budget information session presented by Associated Students Inc., will be an informational, town hall-style discussion at which Statham will get feedback to take to the Tuesday, July21, CSU trustees meeting, said Valerie Hosch, ASI director of communications.

“He is the only student who will be casting a vote at that meeting,” Hosch said, underscoring the importance of the opportunity for students to communicate their concerns to Statham.

He also will discuss the challenges that students might face in response to the decrease in state support of higher education to close California’s budget gap, including a possible 20 percent additional increase in student fees for the fall semester beginning Aug. 24. The fee hike would be in addition to a 10 percent increase approved in May by trustees to help make up for a $584 million shortfall in the 23-campus CSU system’s budget for 2009-10.

Other adverse impacts on students include enrollment limitations and a decrease in class sections available.

For more information: contact Hosch at 559.278.2656 or Valerie.hosch@gmail.com.