Student Fees Committee approves 2.9% increase in student fees, sends recommendations to Senate

Jaycie Nelson and Trinity Ramm|March 9, 2023

Click+for+full+quality.+%0AThe+infographic+shows+the+organizations+up+for+funding+approval+this+year.+The+table+breaks+down+how+much+each+organization+received+in+the+current+fiscal+year%2C+what+they+requested+for+the+upcoming+three+years%2C+and+how+much+money+the+fees+committee+is+recommending+they+receive.

Infographic by Natalie Nolte

Click for full quality. The infographic shows the organizations up for funding approval this year. The table breaks down how much each organization received in the current fiscal year, what they requested for the upcoming three years, and how much money the fees committee is recommending they receive.

The Student Fees Committee, made up of 11 students, including six Student Government Association (SGA) members, has recommended increasing the Student Fees Budget 2.9%. This could raise student fees next year, but SGA has to approve the budget.  

Of the 17 groups up for funding evaluations, seven did not receive the full requested amount, with one organization, SGA Scholarships, receiving more than requested.

These decisions are not final, as they must be voted on by SGA, and then approved by the university president, and ultimately by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Each spring, the commission listens to budget recommendations and requests from organizations that are funded by student fees.

The Commission heard requests Monday and Tuesday and deliberations, where the committee reviews and discusses organizations’ requested budget, took place Tuesday as well.

The committee created a proposal and that proposal was approved Tuesday evening. The proposal will go through a first read in SGA on March 22 and then a second read and vote on March 29. 

The total amount for the Student Fees Budget, including organizations that are not up for evaluations this year, is $10,760,340.

According to Gabriel Fonseca, SGA advisor, The commission will be called back into session on Tuesday, March 21 to address an issue in the budget before legislative review.