Portland State President Wim Wiewel approved the Student Fee Committee’s budget for the 2011–12 school year on April 7, officially recognizing the SFC’s request to raise the student fee by $2. The fee, which covers all special services that are used by and benefit students, accounts for just under $14 million of PSU’s budget.
The request for the increase came at the recommendation of the SFC, as well as the approval of the Student Senate. According to Wiewel, he was reluctant to approve the increase of the fee on the eve of a nine percent tuition increase for the 2011–12 school year.
“I was disappointed when I heard that the fee would be increasing,” Wiewel said. “I asked them to explain areas that experienced a large percentage increase in funding; ultimately, we were unable to avoid raising the student fee.”
The $2 increase, which represents a fairly nominal portion of the now $230 fee (for a 12-credit student), will aid in the continual funding of programs like Campus Recreation, student publications and the childcare assistance program.
According to SFC Chair Kristine McCants, before the fee was raised, the SFC had decided to cut several expenses that it felt should be paid for by university administration, rather than the students.
“PSU’s recycling program, as well as ‘sustainability,’ were two areas where we felt it was more appropriate for the university to be funding rather than the students fees,” McCants said.
According to Student Activities and Leadership Programs Adviser Amanda Newberg, a huge percentage of the increases was due to costs out of the control of the SFC. Inflation, indirect costs and other personnel expenses all accounted for the student fee increase.
In order for the president to better analyze the budget, it was required that the SFC give justification for any areas that experienced substantial growth. While most of the line items experienced at least a small increase in funding requirements, due to issues such as inflation and rising enrollment, other areas did have greater percentage increases in their budget.
According to McCants, the Queer Resource Center justified a 20 percent budget increase with the hiring of a new staff member, and areas like Helen Gordon Child Development Center and the Children’s Center defended their budget growth as their needs increased.
In addition, the Athletics Department received a 15 percent budget increase, accounting for $3.7 million—or 27 percent—of the student fees.
According to Wiewel, despite the current increase, a major hike in student fees is not a reality, unlike tuition, as they are used solely to fund operations that fall outside of the normal functioning of the university. ?