(Image via Instagram / @umassdsga)

Staff Writer: Brian Galindo

Email: bgalindo@umassd.edu

What is the Student Activities Fee? That’s a question the Student Government Association (SGA) has been trying to answer. They have been attempting to educate the UMassD community about the fee and its importance. 

On Monday, February 26th, they held an event called “Student Fee Fast Facts” in the Angus A. Bailey Auditorium to discuss it.

The Student Activities Fee is an essential cost all students must pay as a part of tuition, and its total amount is dispersed among student organizations. It currently stands at $87.50 a semester, or $175 a year, where it has stood for the past five years.

A recent issue among student organizations has been increased budget cuts, as opposed to raises, with each coming year, even as their numbers rise. 

Because of this, SGA is proposing raising the fee to $112.50 a semester or $225 a year. 

The opinions on this have been mixed, which is why events like Student Fee Fast Facts are so important. After all, no one wants to pay more money, but these events can teach you why it might be necessary.

The Student Fee Fast Facts event was a mix between a presentation and a Q&A, with slides prepared to explain things in advance, while students in the audience could raise their hands when they had an additional point or question to add to the conversation.

Among the speakers was SGA Treasurer Nicole Kach, who spoke confidently and with authority on the Student Activities Fee. As a commuter, she talked about how even those who don’t live on campus can benefit significantly.

Kach talked about how commuters can and should make use of student organizations, as they are not only good for events but also for meeting new people. She even spoke about her own experience with doing such and how it helped her make many of the friends she has today.

SGA has mentioned both on their social media accounts and on posters around the academic buildings that they can technically raise the Student Activities Fee at any point. However, they have also stated they would like to have a general consensus among the student body before they do so.

Opposition to raising the Student Activities Fee generally includes the sentiment that students are already paying quite a bit to go to school, and adding more can lead to further financial stress.

While that is a fair point, the positives of raising the fee are also worth considering. Hundreds of student organizations exist on this campus, each hosting several active student members. 

The proposed raise of $25 per student would lead to around $200,000 more to be dispersed.

All this to say, there will be a vote on raising the Student Activities Fee from March 4th to March 9th. That is the best time to get your voice heard. 

Whether you support raising the fee or not, educating yourself on what the fee is and its importance to student organizations is still a good idea.

Student Fee Fast Facts was an informative event with audience participation and an interesting backing presentation. Hopefully, the survey will go by, and the students will have their voices heard.

Want to keep up with the Student Government Association? You can find them on Instagram at @umassdsga!