SFRC rejects most requests for major student fee increases

The committee denied Student Life's request for new position.

By Eva Dou

Published Dec. 9, 2008

The Student Fee Review Committee passed five more recommendations Monday night, denying several groups' requests for budget increases in keeping with a scrimping philosophy of maintaining low student fees.

The most contentious issue was the Department of Student Life's request for a 36-cent increase beyond inflation to fund a new coordinator in the Office of Leadership Development, a request the committee ultimately denied.

After meeting with Student Life Director Mark Lucas, committee member Matt Sheppard told the committee the new position was needed to maintain the Department of Student Life's level of activities. The organization said they could possibly fund the position by scaling back programs, Sheppard said.

Some members spoke in favor of the new coordinator position and the programs that promote community outreach.

"If we limit the programs now and don't allow them to prosper, it's really going to kick us in the butt," Secretary Claire Stuckel said.

However, the proposed coordinator was a tough sell to most of the committee members, who expressed skepticism about organizations seeking to expand in the sour economy with the help of students' pocketbooks.

"I think the inherent question here is with all the benefits this new position could fund," said Josh Travis, the Missouri Students Association Senate Operations Committee vice chairman. "Without it, would it not be possible for students to find those benefits somewhere else?"

Several members said they felt a precedent was set last week when they denied the Student Health Center's request for an increase that was in part to fund an additional position.

Members ultimately passed an inflationary increase for Student Life, but no funding for the extra position.

The committee also passed a bill recommending no fee increases for the 14 divisional councils, since the four councils that had requested increases did not turn in the detailed budgets the committee requested. However, the committee did recommend the councils be allowed to keep any increased revenue due to heightened enrollment.

Although the Student Recreation Center's request for an inflationary increase was denied by the committee, the Clubs Sports division was granted an inflationary increase plus 12 cents per student.

On Wednesday, the committee's bills will go to the MSA Senate for a vote. From there, the Senate's recommendations will be considered by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs who will relay them to the UM system Board of Curators. The Board of Curators makes final budget decisions.