FAQs for new fees

Q. What fees are increasing at Sacramento State?

A. In May, the California State University Board of Trustees responded to cuts in state funding by increasing undergraduate, credential and graduate student fees for the 2009-10 academic year. Increases in Sacramento State’s campus fees were authorized in June to address higher costs for the University Union and four campus programs: recreation sports, intercollegiate athletics, Regional Transit and the State Hornet newspaper.

Here is a summary of Sacramento State campus fee increases:

COMPONENT	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
ASI Intercollegiate Athletics* Cumulative total	$18  $80.50	$22 $102.50	$22.50 $125.00
ASI Recreational Sports* Cumulative total	$4 $8	$2 $10	$2 $12
ASI Regional Transit* Cumulative total	$0 $7.50	$5 $12.50	$5 $17.50
State Hornet Cumulative total	$0  $2.50	$.50 $3	$0 $3
University Union Cumulative total	$2  $195	** **	** **
ASI Internal Programs Cumulative total	$0 $56.75	** **	** **

*After the 2011-12 academic year, each of these fees will be adjusted to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
** The University Union and ASI Internal Programs and Service fees will continue to be tied to the CPI.

Q. Why raise fees in these challenging economic times?

A. Student success is Sacramento State’s highest priority, and the important University programs supported by the campus fees are facing higher costs. The fees for these programs must increase in order to maintain the same level of service.

Q. Why are fees being raised for intercollegiate athletics and the State Hornet newspaper when they were not approved by students in the April election?

A. Intercollegiate athletics and the State Hornet are vital programs at the University, and both have taken steps to reduce their costs. The April referenda were advisory votes, and while President Alexander Gonzalez did not want to raise fees, he must consider the benefits to the campus as a whole.

The fee adjustments will allow both programs to keep up with rising costs, provide the same level of service to the campus and continue to bring positive exposure to the University. Additionally, the new fee levels will be taken into account in financial aid calculations, so most of the students who are eligible for financial aid may receive adjustments that could offset the increase.

Q. Why should students have to pay more for intercollegiate athletics?

A. Aside from adjustments for inflation, the intercollegiate athletics fee has not increased since 1995. In the meantime, costs have increased dramatically, especially the cost of the 208 scholarships that are awarded to student-athletes.

As a result, to continue to provide the same level of scholarships, more revenue is needed to keep pace with rising California State University fees. Since 1995, grant-in-aid (student fees plus room and board) have risen from $7,162 to $14,690 per year. That’s an increase of 105 percent.

Q. Why should students have to pay more for the State Hornet?

A. The 50-cents-per-semester increase allows the University’s flagship journalism lab to keep up with inflation and continue to provide news, analysis and commentary for the entire campus community. Specifically, it will be used to print the newspaper and help pay for web hosting, rent in the University Union and a portion of student stipends. Last fall, when the economy was hurting the paper’s primary revenue source – advertising – staff took appropriate steps and cut spending, including pay cuts for students who receive stipends. In addition, the Hornet plans to post information about its budget online this fall to improve transparency.

Q. Why didn’t students get to vote on the University Union fee increase?

A. The University Union fee has been linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) so it will keep pace with inflation. The $2 increase for the Fall 2009 semester reflects a CPI adjustment. Linking the fee to the CPI was done through the alternative consultation process, in which University officials meet extensively with stakeholders – including students – before changing fees.