As you may know, the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) recently provided oversight for an alternative consultation process to consider adjusting existing Category II mandatory student fees. These fees, many of which have not been increased in decades, are directly correlated to enhancing several key student services and programming on campus.
During the alternative consultation process, a series of open forums were held to discuss the proposed fee increases and provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and share their points of view. Information was also shared with students via email, a web page, digital signage across campus, and social media. Following the collection of student feedback, SFAC met to deliberate on the proposed fees, and the committee recently provided me with its recommendations, which were based on the robust feedback from students and analysis provided by the sponsoring divisions.
After careful consideration of student feedback, SFAC recommendations, and the analysis of the fee proposals, today I informed the committee of my final determinations on the four proposed fee increases and the proposed new nonresident fee. In concurrence with the recommendations of the SFAC, I approved the implementation of increases to the Student Health Services fee, the Intercollegiate Athletics fee, the Recreational Sports fee, and the Instructionally Related Activities fee, to be phased in over three years starting in fall 2025.
I am pleased that these fees will support a number of programs and services, such as enhanced staff and operational resources for cultural and identity centers including the APIDA Center, PRIDE Center, Multicultural Center, Dreamer Resource Center, Serna Center, MLK Center, Esak’timá Center, Jewish Life Center, Women’s Resource Center, Improve Your Tomorrow, and the SWANA Center. Read the memo I sent to SFAC today for details about each fee increase.
The new nonresident fee proposal asked for a $500 per semester mandatory fee for international and out-of-state students. Sacramento State currently has no nonresident fee, though there was briefly a similar Category IV fee that was suspended, then eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic Affairs requested this new fee to enhance support programs for nonresidents, events, and scholarships. The scholarships are especially crucial, as international students are not eligible for most financial aid options. Nonresident fees are normal within the California State University system, and the proposed fee was substantially lower than the nonresident fee at other campuses. Unlike California residents, families of nonresident students have not contributed to state taxes that help subsidize the education provided at a state institution.
SFAC recommended not adopting the proposed new nonresident fee, noting a clear lack of student support. Though I disagree with this recommendation, based on feedback from the open forums, town halls, and the vote of SFAC, the University will not implement the proposed nonresident fee.
I did not make the decision to increase these fees lightly. The increased revenues they generate will enable us to provide the services and programming students have demanded. As we shared during the alternative consultation process, most students will have the fees covered by financial aid. The fees include a 3% return-to-aid component which creates a fund that can be redistributed to students having difficulty paying the fees. Finally, I am committed to not bringing forth any new alternative consultation processes that focus on students on our main campus for at least the next three years.
I am grateful to the many students who shared their feedback by attending one of the open forums or by completing a survey. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and deep care that each of you put into sharing your voice during this process. I also would like to thank the members of the SFAC for their diligence and carefully thought-out recommendations.
I look forward to the enhancements to student life at Sacramento State that will include expanded supports, services, and programming, which will foster a vibrant campus environment rich with opportunities for engagement, personal growth, and community building.
Sincerely,
