Homecoming Week prompts review of funding from student fees
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tudents who attend the University of Idaho pay for more than just an education.
Their tuition and fees fund programs to enhance the overall student experience on campus. These range from promotional Homecoming Week events to organizations like the Idaho Cheer Team, the Women’s Center and the athletic department.
These student-funded organizations and events are critical in making an education at UI more than just four years of classes and dorm rooms. These help make the student experience one where people can get involved in activities they are passionate about, allowing them to create a positive impact in their lives and in the Moscow community.
Some students are critical of how their student fees are being spent, especially when the money goes toward programs or events they view as unnecessary. Students vote with their feet, and the events and programs that matter most to students are typically the ones with the highest attendance.
With that being said, it is beneficial to take a critical look at how student fees are being spent, and the conversations that determine how the money is allocated.
The allotment of these funds is a robust process that requires strategic planning. Every organization that receives funding from student fees must complete a form detailing what the organization does, the challenges and opportunities it has, its goals for the future and alternate funding options. This is done annually, along with an audit of the organization’s budget and purpose.
The Dedicated Student Activity Fee Board is made up of seven people: four representatives from ASUI, two representatives from the Graduate Professional Student Association and one representative from the Student Bar Association. They decide how students’ money is allocated across the various departments.
The people in charge of these decisions are smart. They care about the students at this university and how their money is being utilized, because they are students as well. There is not a reckless use of funds, because every decision requires consultation with peers.
ASUI has had the allocation budget almost halved in the last few years, meaning they have to be more fiscally conservative.
For instance, the Senate floor had a debate over how much money should be spend on homecoming fireworks. This topic was discussed for at least 45 minutes before the proposal was dropped from $1,000 to $750.
This fee was proposed for the bonfire fireworks only, as the rest of the set budget for homecoming had been used on all the other events for the week. This set budget uses $1 per student in fees and pays for every event that the Homecoming Committee created this year.
Of the $550.75 fee each full-time student pays every semester, $127.96 goes to intercollegiate athletics. This umbrella helps support 16 scholarship sports and 350 student athletes, as well as covering the cost of free admission for every student to Vandal home games. Only $0.75 goes to the Native American Student Center and $19.50 goes to Student Media. Much of the money that some organizations, such as Student Media, spend goes back into student pockets in the form of salaries.
The student fee is a substantial amount of money, and it is on ASUI to ensure it is being spent in accordance with student desires and university goals. Homecoming Week provokes a need to revisit these spending policies, as illustrated by the decrease in funds put toward the fireworks show.
Students should attend ASUI functions and answer polls so that their voice can be heard. If they feel strongly on a certain funding issue, they should contact their senator and share their opinion on how fees should be better spent.
— JO