San Francisco State University’s Student Union hosted a general assembly on the campus green on Monday – over 150 students and faculty gathered to discuss a list of demands including funding for education without cutting degrees, student and faculty oversight of the AI budget, protection of free speech, defense against ICE and ensured dorm safety. 

The student union prepared five demands decided during a previous general assembly held November 2025, voting to host an event detailing their demands before sending them directly to SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. The assembly attendance exceeded expectations, with 180 people showing up to voice their concerns. 

“The CSU claims it’s in a budget crisis. It claims it doesn’t have money for our faculty. It claims it doesn’t have money to keep our campuses running,” said SFSU student union media liaison Brian Yan. “But they can give $17 million to AI.” 

The student union is asking for protection of free speech for all students and faculty amidst growing retaliation against outspoken faculty.  California State University, Los Angeles faculty experienced federal investigations after Gaza Solitary Encampments on their campus. The Student Union demands personal information isn’t shared with the government as it was in September of last year. 

Students are also asking that the CSU does more to defend its universities from ICE by funding student and faculty efforts to coordinate rapid response networks and more widely distribute information regarding possible ICE actions in the Bay Area. 

The fifth demand calls for a third party to inspect all student dorms for safety and sustainability, specifying both Mary Ward and Mary Park Halls which both remain empty this semester.

During the meeting, the Student Union invited three speakers to talk on the issues, opening the forum to all in attendance after. Xavier Berthon, a member of UAW 4123, the union for academic student workers of the California State University system, spoke about the misuse of budget funds for Open AI and how it has affected him. 

“My colleagues and I have been forced to bear the brunt of the institutional effects of the mismanagement by University officials of our tuition money, of our wages, of our taxes, of the money that we use to feed houses and clothes ourselves and our families,” Berthon said. “In our new contract negotiations with the university, CSU is still offering 0% annual raises. Meanwhile, they gave themselves over 15% bonuses to campus executives like Lynn Mahoney last semester.”

Attendees roared in applause, cheering for each speaker during the assembly. 

Xavier Morgado, a Teamsters 2010 member and housing electrician at SFSU, voiced his opposition to administrative AI spending in light of his union’s recent system-wide strike. 

“When they spend millions of dollars on ChatGPT instead of giving it to faculty members who are tenured, it makes my heart hurt,” Morgado said. “We are active members of this community. We are not looking down on you from an office way up there. We’re down here on the ground, fighting with you and for you.”

Brad Erickson, president of the California Faculty Association’s San Francisco Chapter, spoke at the event in support of the Student Union’s demands. 

“A few years ago, the state auditor complained about the CSU that they concealed $1.5 billion from students as they are raising tuition, and from the legislator as they were presenting the budget,” Erickson said. “They now moved that up to $13.2 billion that they’re playing the stock market and keeping in their cash accounts. They’re effectively turning the CSU into a capital investment firm with an education side hustle.”

Erickson ended his speech by motivating students and faculty to work together to challenge administration and the legislature. 

Char Bennett, a humanities graduate student, spoke about the necessity of the wide range of student issues that are included in the list of demands to represent the majority and have a voice for all students. 

“So rarely are we empowered to use our voice in a truly democratic forum so it was wonderful to see,” Bennett said. “My department has been flagged for its destruction. So these demands mean to me that my education would be preserved.”

The Student Union expects a set negotiation date with the administration by April 9. If they receive no response by April 14, students and faculty in support walk out of classes on April 15.

Editors’ Note: This story was updated with the correct date for the negotiation’s response.