USUSA View: What students should know about Fee Board
The Utah State University Student Fee Board met last week, as I’m sure you’ve heard by now. They meet again tomorrow in the USUSA Senate Chambers. I’ve been lucky enough this year to serve as the chair of this amazing board, and wanted to share a little bit of information with you about what exactly happens during those meetings.
Fee Board meetings are open to any member of the public who wishes to attend. They run from 5 to 9 p.m. so if you want to show up for the whole time, buckle up. I know my first Fee Board meeting I was wondering if all that time was really worth it. Let me be the first to tell you: it definitely is.
The first half of the meetings are spent on presentations from different groups that are seeking an increase in the fee that funds parts of or the entirety of their budgets. Each group is given 25 minutes to make their case and take questions from the board.
The second half is then spent on open discussion for each proposal. The presenters are not in the room during this time, which gives the board members an opportunity to candidly express their thoughts.
Did you know that there are 11 departments at USU that receive funding from student fees? Whenever a group wants to increase this money, they must come before the Fee Board and receive approval in order to do so.
Twenty-three students sit on Fee Board, in addition to Vice President of Student Services, Dr. James Morales, and fifteen of the students are elected student body officers. Remember when voting this year that the people who win the USUSA elections are eventually responsible for where your money goes while in college. Elections should not just be a popularity contest, so keep in mind the difference that your representatives in student government can make.
Tomorrow night we’ll meet again to decide if there will be any student fee increases. Please note, it is not too late to express your opinions on this matter. Please find one of your student leaders and voice your thoughts to them. Student fees impact us all, financially and with the quality of experience we will get here at Utah State. We want what you want.