It’s not the most vocal group of students on campus, but the student government’s Programs Finance Committee affects the campus atmosphere as much or more than any other group.
That’s because it is responsible for allocating more than $5 million in student-paid incidental fees, which go to pay for more than 130 groups and services available to all who are enrolled.
Every student who is currently enrolled at the University pays a mandatory $191 fee per term. Knowing where this money goes is important because it accounts for up to $2,000 or more over the course of a college career, but also because it can increase or decrease from year to year, affecting the quality and diversity of student programs and services on campus.
The fee pays for things such as bus tickets with Lane Transit District, so students who show their ID cards can ride the bus for free. The fee also supports the fall and spring street fairs, and pays for students’ football and men’s basketball tickets. It also allows incoming groups to provide new services. Now is the season for budgeting, when PFC members meet with leaders of various programs, from the Multicultural Center to the Student Recreation Center, and decide how much of each incidental fee should be allocated to that group.
The PFC’s proposal is a recommendation and the Senate and Executive must still give the budget final approval.
Student Senate Ombudsman and PFC Chairman Jared Axelrod said that a lot of people take the activities of the PFC for granted, but its activities affect all students.
“The PFC allocates the incidental fee to groups that otherwise wouldn’t be able to offer their services.” he said. “We’re trying to make different avenues available for students, that’s what the incidental fee is for.”
The seven-member PFC submitted its budget proposal to the Student Senate on Nov. 21. PFC requested a 6.69 percent increase in the total amount it can allocate to groups. The ASUO Executive stayed consistent with its “fiscal responsibility” platform, arguing that the incidental fee should be kept at a minimum and therefore student programs should be allowed limited fee allocation. Student Senate sided with the PFC chairman and said allowing room for growth is important and passed the committee’s benchmark.
The incidental fee increased $7 over last year’s $184 fee because of similar decisions made by last year’s committees.
“This is a very small increase for these groups,” Axelrod said on November 16. “They need more room to grow.”
Axelrod promised he would try and keep the incidental fee low during the budgeting process by allowing only necessary growth.
PFC and Senate meetings are open to the public. To find out the meeting schedules or otherwise get involved in student government, programs or other activities, call 346-3724 or visit asuo.uoregon.edu.