Resolution 64

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REPORT THE FINDINGS OF THE TUITION AND FEES COMMITTEE’S FEE REVIEW PROJECT

Short Title: Fee Review Project Act

Sponsors: Senators Devore (Corresponding)

Secondary: Senators Brightwell, Green, Goldsmith, Jewell

Signatories:

Referred to: Tuition and Fees Committee    

Version: Committee

First Reading: March 2^nd, 2011                                 Second Reading: April 6^th, 2011

WHEREAS,  the Tuition and Fees Committee instituted a review of several of the fee receiving departments of NC State University; and,

WHEREAS, in the interest of providing some guidance to the Tuition and Fees Committee of the 91^st Session of Student Government, and in informing the Student Body of what their required fees go towards, does hereby submit this report of the Tuition and Fees Committee’s Fee Review Project; and,

WHEREAS,  the Committee requested feedback from the following the departments: Athletics, Campus Rec, Student Center Operations, Student Health, Student Media, Transportation, and the Union Activities Board; and,

WHEREAS, the Committee and several other members of Senate received feedback from Athletics, Campus Rec, Student Media, Transportation, and limited feedback from Student Health; and,

WHEREAS,  the Committee chose these fees based on several criteria: their rate, the amount of use by the students of that department, and others; and

WHEREAS,  the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee and Indebtedness Fees were discussed with Athletics CFO Diane Moose, the Recreational Sports Fee and Carmichael Indebtedness Fees were discussed with Campus Recreation Director Christopher Morris, the Student Publications Fee was discussed with Student Media Advising Coordinator Bradley Wilson, the Transit System Fee was discussed with Transportation CFO Ronnie Wright, and the Student Health Services Fee had limited feedback submitted on it by outgoing Director of Student Health Dr. Jerry Barker and Interim Director Robert Hayford; and,

WHEREAS,  the Committee asked each department for general information on their budget, the status of their reasoning for past increase, plans for future increases, and the status of any indebtedness fees under their jurisdiction; and,

WHEREAS,  pursuant to these requests, Athletics reported the following: The $159 Fee and $96 Indebtedness Fee is about makes up about 8 percent of their total budget.  This serves to primarily support all varsity sports besides Football and Men’s Basketball.  The $96 Indebtedness fee is currently serving to pay off four different projects across campus to improve varsity athletic facilities with the earliest decrease coming in 2023 (projected) and lasting until at least 2034 (projected); and,

WHEREAS,  pursuant to these requests, Campus Rec reported the following:  The $118.10 Fee and $68 Indebtedness Fee makes up about 90 percent of their total budget.  The remaining funds come from outside memberships and rentals (equipment and facilities).  The majority of their budget goes to pay student workers, of which they are the largest employer on campus.  Campus Rec tries to maintain a balanced budget, which is difficult given the fact that their income fluctuates every year based on enrollment.  Their Indebtedness Fee is currently scheduled to decrease in 2020, baring any future projects to areas under their control or any emergency maintenance on some of the older parts of the Carmichael Complex.  Campus Rec is currently drafting a Master Plan for the next 10-15 years that will recommend areas of improvement based on student feedback and peer institution evaluation; and,

WHEREAS,  pursuant to these requests, Student Media reported the following: The $15.50 Fee funds about 50 percent of Student Media’s (Technician, WKNC, Nubian Message, Windhover, Agromeck, and WolfTV) total budget.  The remaining funds are through advertising by the various publications.  The Student Publications Fee recently decreased from $15 and was granted a $0.50 increase to subsidize the distribution the Agromeck yearbook to graduating Seniors.  Student Media is currently drafting a 5-10 year strategic plan that will outline areas to cut given the current economy and other increasing prices; and,

WHEREAS,  pursuant to these requests, Transportation reported the following:  The $135 Fee, which is exempt from the current UNC Board of Governors’ 4 Year Tuition Plan’s guideline of no more than a 6.5% yearly fee increase, funds about 35 percent of Transportations’ total budget.  The remaining 65 percent comes from parking revenues (both permits and tickets).  Transportations’’ expenses are majorly spilt between the bus system (43%), construction and maintenance (13%), salaries (26%) and other operating costs (18%).  Transportations’ most recently granted increase was for a continued high level of service of the bus system and a possible expansion by the end of this calendar year; and,

WHEREAS,  pursuant to these requests, Student Health’s response was a restatement of their facts presented to the University Fee Committee; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the Committee would like to thank the responding departments for their time and feedback with these requests; and be it further,

RESOLVED, the Senate would like to recommend the following:

                        Athletics: A sooner rollback of the Indebtedness Fees by seeking outside sources of revenue, possibly to come from a reworking of current endorsement contacts.

                        Campus Rec: A continued high employment rate of the students of NC State       University.  Senate also supports the drafting of a Master Plan and         Campus Rec to solicit student feedback on it.

Student Media: A continued high level of journalistic excellence in all forms of media.  While Senate does not wish for any areas of Student Media to be cut, Senate understands the necessity of a strategic plan incorporating projected cuts.

                        Transportation: Continued high quality service of the Wolfline bus system,          as well as revaluation of current routes and bus schedules this summer to        look into possible improvements that could be implemented at the start of       the 2011-2012 academic years.

                        Student Health: Reevaluation of recently proposed cuts to the hours of the            Student Health Center.  While Senate understands the drawbacks of being open when few students seek medical attention, opening a new addition      and increasing student fees to pay for it does not look right in the Student     Body’s eyes.

                        And be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate’s Tuition and Fees Committee make this Project a yearly duty to be conducted on several of the fee receiving departments of NC State University on a rotating basis.