The Student Senate unanimously approved a proposal late last week that could increase the Student Activity Fee by more than 50 percent next year.
The Senate proposal would increase the current fee of $39 to $60 for students taking 12 credit hours or more, $27 to $40 for those taking between six and 11 1/2 credit hours, and $13 to $20 for those taking fewer than six credit hours.
The proposed increase would give the Senate, which controls the fee, roughly $150,000 in new annual income.
Students will be asked to vote on the proposal during Student Senate elections in early April. The University of Maine System Board of Trustees would then have to approve the increase at its May meeting.
The fee hasn’t been increased since the fall of 1997 and Senate officials say costs have been rising in that time, while incoming revenue has remained fairly constant.
“Essentially, this means that every year students are paying the same fee and getting less for it,” wrote Senate Treasurer Justin LaBerge in a letter to Sam Andrews, USM’s chief financial officer.
LaBerge also referred to student complaints regarding a lack of things to do on campus.
“The bottom line,” said LaBerge in an interview, “is that if students want a better level of service, then they’re going to have to pay for it.”
The Student Senate collected around $429,000 from the Student Activity Fee this year.
The announcement of the proposed Student Activity Fee increase closely follows the announcement of a University plan to sharply increase parking fees over the next two years. The University plan will require full-time students to pay at least $96 next year to park at USM for two semesters, and $192 the year after. The current yearly fee is $35.
“It’s a difficult proposition, because we’re asking students to raise the taxes,” said LaBerge.
Chelsea Cook, a freshman also from Robie-Andrews was disillusioned at first when she looked at her bill, but her ideas about the Student Activity Fee changed once she enrolled in aerobics classes at the gym on the Gorham campus.
“At first I was upset, because we’re paying for things we don’t use, but now I am involved with aerobics, and I use it to my advantage,” she said.
There is some confusion as to what the Student Activity Fee is used for, said LaBerge.
The fee supports activities on campus, as well as facilities like the gym. Some of this money also goes to help fund WMPG, The Free Press and G-TV (Gorham Television).
The Student Activity Fee increase will also help pay for rising costs for employees, according to Coordinator of Student Senate Operations Kathleen Pease.
“It’s not just the cost of living,” Pease explained. “The Senate employs people, and they get benefits such as health care.” She went on to explain that the cost of health care is expected to increase by 40 percent next year.
Pease said the increased fees would also allow student government to allocate more money to student groups. The Board of Student Organizations ran out of money in March last year, and in February this year, according to Pease.
“They’re also tight for money at WMPG,” she said. The Free Press is also looking at shrinking advertising revenues resulting in potential budget problems.
Though some students support the proposal, others do not, especially because of the parking fee increase.
“They keep raising and raising [the fees] . it’s getting ridiculous,” said Mike Hangee, a junior art major. “It doesn’t seem right. I don’t use that stuff.”
“I am not pleased,” said freshman Jacob Meyer. “Combined with the raised parking fees, [it] would be hard to pay.”
Hannah Grey, a freshman art major also voiced her concerns.
“It’s a touchy subject. Many people don’t participate, and don’t feel like they should support things that they’re not involved in.”
Staff Writer Lindsay Quinn can be contacted at: [email protected]
Statement of Disclosure: This year The Free Press received just under 13 percent of the Student Activity Fee or over $55,000.