Student Building Fee Committee decided on 14 projects

In a memorandum sent to Portland State President Wim Wiewel at the end of the month of April, the Student Building Fee Committee sent a list of 14 projects designed to improve the state of the campus.

Many of the projects include lighting, restroom, disability access improvements or basic renovations in different buildings around campus. A couple of the projects aim to provide new study and workspaces in Science Building 2 and Millar Library.

 Also approved is a program that will lead to improvements in the ASPSU Children’s Center and Student Parent Services.

“We have a significant need for more childcare for students and faculty/staff,” said Robyn Pierce, director of the Facilities and Planning Department.

There is even an electronic water refilling station on the list.

“Students have been pretty excited about the hydration stations,” Pierce said.

Also on the list is funding for completing the Walk of the Heroines, a site at PSU that honors women.

 “Completing the Walk of the Heroines is exciting since it will provide a stage and additional locations for honoring women on our campus,” Pierce said. “I like all of the projects approved, and believe all 14 will help to make PSU a better campus for our students.”

Unfortunately, these projects will not begin around campus until 2011.

“PSU students had $2.5 million in student building fees available for allocation for the 2011–13 biennium. The biennium begins July 1, 2011,” Pierce said.

These 14 projects were picked from a total of 23 proposals, many of which came from students. The cut-off date for proposals was in early April.

The SBFC is comprised of five student members; ASPSU President Jonathan Sanford sits as chair, and SFC member William Zimmers as vice-chair. Monica Valencia, David Lock, and ASPSU Chief of Staff Zaki Bucharest are also part of the group.

There were also advisers involved during the decision-making process, including Associate Vice President for Planning, a SALP adviser and the Facilities Director. The Auxiliary/Housing Director also helped.

The requirements allowed a single project to use all of the funding, but this year, the group decided on many smaller projects.

The criterion was available during the proposal process, but according to Pierce, the main criteria revolved around identifying projects that “support or enhance a student’s experience at PSU.”

The Student Building Fee Committee had $2.5 million in funds to distribute among different projects around campus.

“The Student Committee had to reduce the projects to the level of funding. Some projects were phased, others could not be funded,” Pierce said.

To fund all 23 requests, it would have cost about $9.6 million, according to Pierce. With the nine projects cut, the committee was able to save about $7 million.

 According to Pierce, the campus collects a Student Building Fee of $45 per student each term.

This money is collected through the Oregon University System. The OUS allocates funding back to the campuses based on enrollment, debt and funds collected, according to Pierce.

This is the first time PSU students have had authority in their student building fees since 2005, when they chose to help fund construction of the ASRC building, Pierce said.

“The new Student Recreation Center is an awesome addition to our campus.  Students should be very proud of that.  The new 14 projects are on a smaller scale than the ASRC, but they go a long way in improving campus for current and future students,” Pierce said.