Moore: Student fees are necessary

Is there value in student fees? 

As full-time students at Utah State University, we pay $458.77 of general student fees per semester. Over a four-year degree, that is almost $4,000. As a student who lives on carefully budgeted summer-job money, paying an extra $458.77 a semester is a gut punch. These expensive fees prompt many questions. Are student fees necessary? How do student fees differ from tuition? Why do student fee rates regularly change? As a third-year student, I believe we will recognize the value of student fees as we better understand them and take advantage of what they fund. 

What are student fees, and how do they differ from tuition? To answer this question, we must first investigate what tuition funds are. As defined in Utah Code Section 53B-7-101, tuition funds, alongside state tax revenue, cover university costs such as employee pay, financial aid, and other expenses. Basically, tuition covers the cost of education. On the other hand, student fees cover the cost of services that improve the student experience, like campus activities, athletic events, and the Aggie Shuttle. Visit studentaffairs.usu.edu/student-fees for the complete list of services funded by student fees.

How do we ensure fees support services that enrich our student experience? Like elected legislators budget tax money, elected student body officers and appointed students sit on a board that oversees the student fee budget. The university student fee board (USFB) is responsible for updating the student fee budget annually. According to the student fee bylaws, “[the] purpose of the USFB is to provide students with direct input into [decisions] regarding the [spending] of student fees.” The fee process website states, “Each fee is represented on the board by a student body officer as well as a staff member as an administrative representative.” The board is structured to ensure students are involved in budgeting student fees.  

Before the USFB meets for its annual meetings in January, representatives of each fee “review the fee’s budget and financial status to determine if the fee will stay the same, decrease, or increase,” as stated on the fee process website. Adjustments must occur as employee wages or the cost of services change. Adjustments are proposed to the USFB in the general meeting and passed with a favorable vote. When the fee board completes the student fee list, the list is given to the governing bodies over the university for approval. Changes are official as the Utah State Board of Higher Education (USHE), the governing body over all state public universities, approves.  

In the spring of 2021, USHE approved the adjustments of four student fees. Funding for the Health Services Fee, Counseling and Psych Fee, and the Blue Goes Green Fee has shifted from being collected from fees to tuition. Dr. James Morales, VP of Student Affairs, has secured alternate funding for the Aggie Bike program.   

Beginning Jan. 19, the student fee board will meet and review fee requests and adjustments. Porter Casdorph, USU Student Body Vice President and Chairman of the USFB, expects to send final fee recommendations to Noelle E. Cockett, President of Utah State University, on Jan. 27, 2022, to begin the approval process. Official changes in student fees will be announced upon approval from USHE later in the spring of 2022. 

While the process behind student fees is complicated, and the cost of student fees inconvenient, the programs they fund enrich the university. These services are the gateway to a fulfilling and enjoyable college experience. Is there value in student fees? Yes. 

Michael Moore is a junior at Utah State University and anticipates graduating with a Master of Accounting in the spring of 2024. Michael currently serves on the student fee board. Previously, Michael gained experience with student fees while serving as a student body officer at Snow College.  

— michaelmoore.ph@gmail.com