Fee increases contemplated for 2006-2007

By Laura Camper - General Assignment Reporter

The proposed total student fees for fall 2006/spring 2007 will increase by a total of 4 percent per semester. The increase is a combination of hikes in service fees and the health fee.

Service fees which support staff salaries, programming and general operating expenses are proposed to increase to $237 per semester. Included in that increase is an increase in the career center fee of 50 percent and a campus activity fee increase of 8.2 percent.

In a memo directed to Dr. Chris Miller, vice chancellor for student affairs, Cynthia Thompson, director of student life, writes the increase would provide additional funding for First Week events, an increase in the operating budget of the Student Center , an increase of funding for student organizations and an increase in funding for the Student Government Association.

Thompson also included a new student leadership program at UIS that will possibly begin in the 2006-2007 school year. The UIS Student Leadership program would “provide education and networking opportunities for students.”

The proposed career center fee increase would increase from $6 to $9 per semester. The increased revenue would be used to hire staff, recruitment expenses, expansion of the paraprofessional program in addition to expansion of the Employer Relations program and the Virtual Career Center .

The Health and Counseling fee would increase by 13.6 percent to $25 per semester. The additional funding would fund salaries and increased prevention programs.

There are no proposed increases to the general fees, which support fixed costs of fee-supported buildings on campus. Student general fees include a non-instructional facility fee of $46 per semester, a recreational facility fee of $18 for UIS' existing gymnasium and the new recreation center fee of $90 per semester.

SGA discusses fees in special session

By Laura Camper - General Assignment Reporter

In a special session of the Student Government Association, proposals for fee increases for campus housing and policies giving returning Lincoln Land Community College students the same preference for campus housing drew criticism from SGA members.

John Ringle, director of housing and residential life, proposed an average increase of 6.2 percent in on-campus housing for the 2006-2007 school year. The increase would cover the highly publicized 33 percent increase in Springfield City , Water, Light and Power rates as well as an upgrade in cable television requested by the students in a survey last year.

“We will have to absorb the 9 percent increase in electricity costs this year, but we can only absorb so much,” said Ringle.

President Samantha Drews responded, saying increasing campus-housing rates at a time when Pell grants are being slashed could force students to move off-campus. “I just don't know how we can justify this increase,” she said.

Secretary Carrie Bauer agreed, saying that she lives on the north side of Springfield and spends less than she would for on-campus housing. She suggested if the housing rates were to increase the university must build student life quickly. “Prices and benefits have to coincide,” she said. “People must see the benefits.”

Ringle replied that he didn't know what the off-campus rate increases would be, but they will also go up. “You get what you pay for. You pay for convenience. We have a 98 percent occupancy rate which is an indicator of us offering a good product.”

Trustee Sarah Doyle said of campus housing, “Convenience is a big issue. Off-campus students can be disconnected from the campus.”

Senator Evan Wilson asked if the increase would force transfer and older students off the campus. Wilson also said that the housing needs of the new class of freshmen due to arrive next year may jeopardize housing for transfer and older students.

Ringle replied that returning students, including LLCC students living on campus, will receive preference as long as they notify UIS by the deadline that they intend to live in campus housing.

Vice President Bob Skorzcewski and Drews expressed concern that UIS students may be turned away from campus housing for LLCC students who have lived on campus before. “UIS students should not be turned away for Lincoln Land students, even if they have been here before,” said Drews.

Ringle replied, “We need to take the money in hand.” He said that was only good business.

James Korte, assistant dean of students, said that LLCC students living on campus have helped to offset the debt service by occupying units that would have otherwise been empty, keeping housing rates down for UIS students.

Doyle asked why their couldn't be a deadline for UIS students and campus housing would not be opened up to LLCC students until after that deadline.

Vice Chancellor Christopher Miller said that he and Ringle would take the concerns of the students under advisement. “I think that John and I need to get together and discuss the issue and craft something that addresses the concern that UIS students could possibly be trumped out of housing by Lincoln Land students.”

Steve Chrans, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, read a proposal to raise student fees for the 2006-2007 school year from $404 to $420 per semester. Miller said that these fee increases were for programs that are priorities for the university. These hikes were approved of by the SGA.

In other business, newly elected members of the SGA including Skorczewski, Senator Matthew Riedle, Senator John Morris and Senator Adam Beaty were welcomed to the meeting.

New members were appointed to fill vacant positions. Senior Brace Clement was appointed Sergeant at Arms. Graduate student Donzhella Alford was appointed senator for the Public Administration Program. Wilson was appointed senator for Public Affairs and Administration College and transfer student Dan Johnson was appointed senator for transfer students.

Other people who attended the meeting were Cynthia Thompson, director of student life, and Jeffrey Isbell.

Fee increases contemplated for 2006-2007

SGA discusses fees in special session