Where students’ money goes for now

This semester, students are scheduled to vote on construction of a recreation center, which would increase student fees by up to $120 each semester.

Current student fees total $217, and another $8 is added for instructional-related activities such as intercollegiate athletics, fine arts, art exhibitions and publications.

Aside from the cost of tuition, the largest share of student fees goes to Associated Students, Inc., which takes $97 each semester.

“The fees that are on the invitation to register have all been voted upon by the students,” said Jason Bryant, executive vice president of ASI.

Other fees include a $71 price tag for the University Union expansion project and $2.50 fee each semester for the State Hornet Newspaper.

Students also pay a $38 Health Services fee mandated by the Board of Trustees and the California State University Chancellor’s Office, in order to replenish the State General Fund which supports the Student Health Center. An additional $3 facilities fee goes toward maintaining the building itself.

Before students get the final say on fees, a committee comprised of administrators and students reviews requests for items before they’re allowed on the ballot.

“A group of administrators reviews the priorities of the University established by the Council for University Planning,” said Carolyn Pittman, university budget officer. “CUP is heavily driven by strategic planning and the assessment of goals that is done by the council.”

The largest student expense, the $714 state university fee that goes toward classroom instruction, is not up to the students to decide on.

Tuition fees are also used for student counseling, career planning and placement, financial aid administration , housing, and student testing — such as the WPE.

Tuition levels are set by the trustees at the state level. They are then presented to the State Legislature, and eventually approved by the Governor.