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Comptroller-elect considers raising student activity fee
By Darren Benda
Posted: 11/19/08, 1:25 AM EST Section: News
At a time when the economy is slumping, inflation is rising and tuition is increasing, extra mandatory costs for students have become controversial issues and were key platforms for the Student Association comptroller, elected last week.
Lily Mei, the incoming SA comptroller and head the Finance Board, ran on the platform of increasing the student activity fee less than her opponent, Na'Tasha Webb-Prather.
But Mei, a sophomore management major, is now unsure of
raising the fee, saying she needs more information. Mei said she plans to talk to previous representatives to get more information about increasing the fee.
"I'm still looking into it and need to do more research before I decide to raise it or not," she said. "Hopefully in a month, I'll have an answer. I have been asking people around campus, my roommates and people on my floor what they think about the idea. So I just want to collect as much data as possible before I make a decision."
The student activity fee is one of two student-based mandatory fees for all Syracuse University students. The other is the co-curricular fee, which is governed by the university. The main difference between the two fees is that student activity fee is self-imposed by students for student activities, said Mike Rizzolo, former SA comptroller.
Rizzolo disagreed with Mei. He said it's every budgeter's goal to have a bigger budget, but an increase in the fee would be difficult to pass.
"It's probably better off making sure that the allocation process is more efficient, as opposed to just wishing you had more money," Rizzolo said.
All SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry full-time students, University College and part-time students pay the student activity fee, which is collected by the university on behalf of SA, said Matthew Snyder, director of communications and media relations.
The student activity fee is $84 per semester for all full-time students, or $168 per year. Once the money is collected, it is distributed every semester through the budget process, said Rizzolo, a senior accounting and finance major. Most organizations take part in the budget process each semester.
Lily Mei, the incoming SA comptroller and head the Finance Board, ran on the platform of increasing the student activity fee less than her opponent, Na'Tasha Webb-Prather.
But Mei, a sophomore management major, is now unsure of
raising the fee, saying she needs more information. Mei said she plans to talk to previous representatives to get more information about increasing the fee.
"I'm still looking into it and need to do more research before I decide to raise it or not," she said. "Hopefully in a month, I'll have an answer. I have been asking people around campus, my roommates and people on my floor what they think about the idea. So I just want to collect as much data as possible before I make a decision."
The student activity fee is one of two student-based mandatory fees for all Syracuse University students. The other is the co-curricular fee, which is governed by the university. The main difference between the two fees is that student activity fee is self-imposed by students for student activities, said Mike Rizzolo, former SA comptroller.
Rizzolo disagreed with Mei. He said it's every budgeter's goal to have a bigger budget, but an increase in the fee would be difficult to pass.
"It's probably better off making sure that the allocation process is more efficient, as opposed to just wishing you had more money," Rizzolo said.
All SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry full-time students, University College and part-time students pay the student activity fee, which is collected by the university on behalf of SA, said Matthew Snyder, director of communications and media relations.
The student activity fee is $84 per semester for all full-time students, or $168 per year. Once the money is collected, it is distributed every semester through the budget process, said Rizzolo, a senior accounting and finance major. Most organizations take part in the budget process each semester.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Mitch G'98
posted 11/19/08 @ 4:17 PM EST
Wow, this is interesting. It really makes you feel for the finance board since more money is just harder.
Personally, it's okay that they don't fund some things. (Continued…)
Kate763
Kate
posted 11/20/08 @ 5:35 AM EST
"Here at SU, we have this mentality that every single group not only can program, but should," Goldenberg said. "And I think that mentality needs to change, because there is so much competition for the (available) money. (Continued…)
Goober
posted 11/20/08 @ 7:01 PM EST
This is correct. there are so many stupid groups that get funded when they shouldn't. I'm glad that she said that even though she shouldn't be
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