Student Fee Review Board to elect members; debate fees
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: News
A big complaint from students is the use or misuse of the student fees they pay every semester. The Student Fee Review Board will meet 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, to review new proposed fees and review the fees that students currently pay.
This meeting's agenda will consist of setting the structure of the committee; electing the chair, vice chair and secretary; setting guidelines for the year; reviewing policies and procedures; setting deadlines for fee proposals and setting the board meeting dates for January and February meetings. The Review Board receives the request to increase or keep fees every year, reviews them and makes decisions on what's best for the students.
"Fee increases are slightly more justified than tuition increases but should still be kept in check due to the economic conditions of the nation and the job market outlook," said recent UA graduate Abel Tomlinson.
Tomlinson also mentioned the proposed new student fee for a new HPER building.
"There seems to be abundant funds within athletics. Perhaps we can change the rules a little to use some of that money to help pay for the HPER instead of making students bear the burden," Tomlinson said.
"I have been reviewing the SFRB process from years before and am ready for an efficient and effective year for SFRB," said Carter Ford, ASG president and chair of the Student Fee Review Board.
The Review Board that will meet to address all of these concerns consists of the ASG president, an ASG senator, an ASG presidential appointment, three vice chancellor for Student Affairs appointees, two faculty members, a staff member, the vice chancellor for Student Affairs and the vice chancellor for Finance and Administration.
Students currently pay 18 different fees, assessed per credit hour, along with their tuition and books every semester. These fees range in cost from the 22 cent Safe Ride fee to the $8.84 Network and Data Systems Fee. The other fees paid go to the Arkansas Union, the Associated Student Government, the Distinguished Lectures Committee, the Enhanced Learning Center, Facilities, Fine Arts, the Pat Walker Health Center, the HPER, Media, Student Activities, Student Concerts, Student Health Debt, Student Readership, Technology and Transit.
"I feel like we are not well informed about where and how our money is spent," said Brittany Cason, a sophomore biology major.
These fees are paid in addition to the tuition all students pay per credit hour, along with the fee by college. Undergraduate students from Bumpers College pay a fee of $8.74, the School of Education and Health Professions pay $9.00, Engineering pays $27.33, Walton pays $18.87, Fulbright pays $11.33 and the Schools of Law and Architecture pay no fee.
First-year students also pay a one-time fee for their ID and being a new student. An International Student Service fee and International Student Health fee is also charged every fall and spring semester for international students.
Students can access a breakdown of where each student fee goes and what it pays for on the Web site of the Treasurer.
This meeting's agenda will consist of setting the structure of the committee; electing the chair, vice chair and secretary; setting guidelines for the year; reviewing policies and procedures; setting deadlines for fee proposals and setting the board meeting dates for January and February meetings. The Review Board receives the request to increase or keep fees every year, reviews them and makes decisions on what's best for the students.
"Fee increases are slightly more justified than tuition increases but should still be kept in check due to the economic conditions of the nation and the job market outlook," said recent UA graduate Abel Tomlinson.
Tomlinson also mentioned the proposed new student fee for a new HPER building.
"There seems to be abundant funds within athletics. Perhaps we can change the rules a little to use some of that money to help pay for the HPER instead of making students bear the burden," Tomlinson said.
"I have been reviewing the SFRB process from years before and am ready for an efficient and effective year for SFRB," said Carter Ford, ASG president and chair of the Student Fee Review Board.
The Review Board that will meet to address all of these concerns consists of the ASG president, an ASG senator, an ASG presidential appointment, three vice chancellor for Student Affairs appointees, two faculty members, a staff member, the vice chancellor for Student Affairs and the vice chancellor for Finance and Administration.
Students currently pay 18 different fees, assessed per credit hour, along with their tuition and books every semester. These fees range in cost from the 22 cent Safe Ride fee to the $8.84 Network and Data Systems Fee. The other fees paid go to the Arkansas Union, the Associated Student Government, the Distinguished Lectures Committee, the Enhanced Learning Center, Facilities, Fine Arts, the Pat Walker Health Center, the HPER, Media, Student Activities, Student Concerts, Student Health Debt, Student Readership, Technology and Transit.
"I feel like we are not well informed about where and how our money is spent," said Brittany Cason, a sophomore biology major.
These fees are paid in addition to the tuition all students pay per credit hour, along with the fee by college. Undergraduate students from Bumpers College pay a fee of $8.74, the School of Education and Health Professions pay $9.00, Engineering pays $27.33, Walton pays $18.87, Fulbright pays $11.33 and the Schools of Law and Architecture pay no fee.
First-year students also pay a one-time fee for their ID and being a new student. An International Student Service fee and International Student Health fee is also charged every fall and spring semester for international students.
Students can access a breakdown of where each student fee goes and what it pays for on the Web site of the Treasurer.
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