By Regina Minaya

Every semester, students at CSI pay a student activity fee and for the most part don’t know what it’s for or why they pay for it.

Student activity fees are designed to support student organizations and activities, intramural sports, and intercollegiate programs 1. Here at CSI, our student activity fee supports over 40 clubs, and organizations such as WSIA, this student publication you are reading, and more. This past semester, the student activity fee has also supported Student Government initiatives like the Student Services Fair, the food truck initiative, bought books for the campus library, and the list goes on.

Every ten years, a referendum regarding the allocation of the Student Activity Fee (SAF) can be introduced on the spring ballot. However, amidst the chaos that COVID wrecked almost two decades has passed since a referendum has been brought to the student body to vote on. As the opening day of voting for the spring elections draws near, it has never been more apparent that we need to update our budgetary ear markings for the SAF.

This isn’t the first time following COVID that an attempt has been made to balance the budget. In a 2022 interview with The Banner staff, then president of Student Government, Michael Ivany is quoted saying “There are some folks that get money and don’t use the money, so for example the publication has a surplus of a little over half a million and there is only one publication currently, which is The Banner, and they have a portion of the fee that’s allocated to them that could go towards the accounting office, which is in a deficit right now, or for sustainability efforts, or maybe the transportation earmarking needs to be looked at.”2 This referendum looks to address some of these longstanding deficits.

As the window to address this issue closes, Student Government worked relentlessly to present a budget that was just and considered the needs of all students. After collecting bare-bones, base budgets from all the clubs and organizations that receive funding from the SAF, Student Government was faced with a grim picture. The budget requirements totaled about three times the current income generated by the SAF. The debate surrounding the allocation of the student activity fee (SAF) also brought to light a critical issue: the earmarking of funds for transportation and its appropriateness in the context of supporting student activities. While the intention behind earmarking funds for transportation may have been noble, the reality is that the current system is no longer sustainable nor equitable for the student body.

At its core, the SAF is intended to enhance the student experience by supporting a diverse array of campus activities and organizations. However, the inclusion of transportation within the purview of SAF allocation raises questions about its alignment with this overarching goal. It’s crucial to acknowledge that the funds generated through SAF earmarking for transportation fall short of covering the actual costs incurred.

This fiscal disparity not only strains the resources available for other vital campus activities but also underscores the inherent inefficiency of the current system. Additionally, the dwindling usage of shuttle services in recent years is indicative of a broader trend: the diminishing relevance of transportation earmarking in meeting the evolving needs of the student body. As student preferences and commuting patterns shift, it becomes increasingly evident that allocating SAF funds towards transportation services that are underutilized is no longer an optimal use of resources.

The repercussions of this inefficiency are felt acutely by students. Earlier this semester, the loop bus had to be cut because the funding simply wasn’t there to pay for it. Decreased shuttle services translate to limited access and convenience. Recognizing the need for a more sustainable and student-centric approach, plans are underway to advocate for alternative solutions. One such initiative involves the formation of a coalition of students, staff, and faculty to collaborate with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to address service gaps and enhance accessibility for CSI students. We are also hopeful that the college will be able to win grants to pay for the shuttle service soon.

By redirecting resources away from transportation earmarking, we pave the way for a more equitable and impactful distribution of SAF funds, one that prioritizes the diverse needs and aspirations of the student community. As we embark on this journey of reform, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a campus environment where every student can thrive.

After much deliberation, a proposed budget was presented for the Student Government to vote on in their March 14th meeting. After passing in Student Government, the Office of Student Life worked to type out petitions for students to take onto campus for signatures. Any referendum requires 10% of the student body to sign in support of placing it on the ballot to vote on. With a deadline looming a week away, students walked the campus talking to fellow classmates and collecting signatures. The support was widespread with over 1,500 signatures gathered that week. Some of the strongest voices in support of the referendum come from our student-led radio station, WSIA, which faces closure without a reallocation of funding, as well as student athletes who depend on funds from the SAF for support.

This proposed budget does not reflect any increase in cost to the students, which was a very real fear when embarking on this project. Additionally, every group that is currently funded by the SAF will see an increase in funding except student publications. The reason for this is very simple. Our student publications are no longer printed and distributed and are currently overfunded due to the outdated earmarking they are receiving. Clubs, which has always been overseen by the club commission, a commission of Student Government, will no longer have a separate earmarking, but instead have their earmarking combined with the Student Government earmarking.

As the clock ticks closer to the opening day of voting for the spring elections on April 4th, the significance of the referendum regarding the allocation of the Student Activity Fee (SAF) looms larger than ever before. It’s been nearly two decades since the last referendum, and the landscape of student life has undergone profound transformations in that time. From the tireless efforts of Student Government to the impassioned advocacy of student organizations like WSIA and our student athletes, the call for change has reverberated across our campus. In the end, this referendum is not just about numbers on a ballot—it’s about our shared commitment to building a better tomorrow for ourselves and for future CSI students. So, don’t forget to vote April 4th- 11th!

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_fee “A student fee or student activity fee is a fee charged to years. students at a school, college, university or other place of learning that is in addition to any matriculation and/or tuition fees. It may be charged to support student organizations and student activities (for which it can be called an activity fee) or for intercollegiate programs such as intramural sports or visiting academics; or, at a public university or college, as a means to remedy shortfalls in state funding (in which case it can often be called a technology fee). Further fees may then be charged for features and facilities such as insurance, health and parking provision.” 2 https://thebannercsi.com/2022/11/18/could-your-student-activity-fee-be-utilized-better/