Senate discusses new student activity fees

An increase in the amount of student activity fees was once again a topic of discussion during Monday night’s meeting of the student senate.  

“This is one of the things that is at the top of our lists because it is a pretty high-impact thing to all of our students in terms of paying for education,” said Senate Vice President Konery Klueber.  

Currently, senate makes $369,927.48 from student activity fees. This money is used to fund student events clubs put on during the semester. Right now, fees are set at $6.54 per credit hour and students do not pay fees on credits in excess of 12 credit hours. Nor do they pay fees for online classes.  

Senate has discussed increasing the fee to $7 per credit hour and removing the cap. The $0.46 increase would amount to an extra $25,929.52 making the amount senate would receive an even $395,857. Online classes would be unaffected.  

The increase would make it easier for AFB to predict yearly income according to enrollment and would make a fair system for students. Senate also recognized that some majors would have to pay more  fees than other due to the ratio of online to in-person classes.

Senate currently has no firm plans to make the increase but continues to explore the idea. Vice President Kluber urged senators to take the discussion to their constituents and return with feedback. 

Another issue that was brought up for discussion was the price of hybrid classes. 

Students who must take hybrid classes currently pay the online rate for classes, which is $270 more than a regular in-person class. 

A discussion has started among students to change this. 

In other business: 

> International Club was allocated $1,250 for its annual food tasting party.  

> Xi Delta Zeta was allocated $270 to help provide food for the Black Heart Black Tie semi-formal dance that will be held on Feb. 14. 

> Collegiate Farm Bureau was allocated $500 to send 10 people to Kearney today. 

> Ag Club requested $4,205 to send students to Denver, Colorado, to attend The Society of Range Management’s 73rd Annual Meeting, Technical Training, and Trade Show. The club was allocated $3,994.75 after a 5% deduction due to incorrect filing of the trip packet.  

> Senate has an unallocated budget of $6,509.06 and $13,799.56 in unallocated trip funds.