The student senate at Southern Utah University met Monday Jan. 27 to discuss where student fee money will be used for the 2025-2026 school year. They discussed no change fees which are fees students already pay and proposed fee increases.
Money from student fees is used throughout each semester to fund different departments and resources across campus. The SUUSA senate meets with each of these organizations to maintain transparency as to how student fees are being utilized.
During the meeting senate members shared the amount of money used to fund specific organizations across campus and then voted on recommendations for next year, including discontinuation of certain fees or increases and decreases of other fees.
No Change Fees
A handful of fee proposals passed unanimously, meaning each senate member voted in favor of the request. These include the campus recreation fee, community engagement center fee, outdoor recreation fee, student involvement and leadership fee, student health clinic fee and the testing center fee.
Other fees were met with a debate between senators, but ultimately passed with little controversy. These fees include the Michael O. Leavitt Center fee, counseling and psychological services fee, University Journal fee, tradition keeper fee and the Department of Theatre, Dance and Arts Administration fee.
Some fees were met with speculation and therefore led to a majority vote in disfavor of continuing the fee. These include the SUU Connect fee, Music Department fee and the Athletics fee. The senators unanimously passed a motion to reduce the athletics fee from $103 per semester to $60.
The Athletics and Music Departments will be invited to meet with the senators at a later date to share how the money is being used, and whether it is deemed beneficial for students. Many senators felt there was a lack of communication between these departments and hence proposed a motion to decrease the fee amount. This will allow representatives from the respective departments to justify the use of the allotted amount.
Proposed Fee Increases
The meeting heavily focused on one proposed fee increase targeted at SUUSA. This fee would supplement the income of STIL Government Coordinator Tyler Dawes, as his position is contingent on student fees.
The proposal was to increase the current fee from $10.75 to $15.75. As those who work closest with Dawes, the senators had mixed feelings about using student fees to pay for a position that is beneficial to a small number of students. After a brief recess to discuss the issue, SUUSA Vice President of Finance, William Harrison proposed a motion to amend the request to make the fee $11. This motion passed unanimously and the fee will be discussed at a later date.
The other proposed fee increases were for the tutoring center and KSUU Thunder 91. The tutoring center increase would raise the fee from $7 to $10. Executive Vice President Dante Vega-Lopez motioned to increase the amount to $11 and the majority of the senate voted in favor. This means that Toni Sage, Executive Director of Academic Success, will meet with the senate at a later date and the request was amended from an increase of $3 to $4.
The last fee was for ten cents per semester for the campus radio station. Many senators commented on how the station added to the college experience at SUU.
“I think the Thunder 91 station plays an invaluable role in creating the campus culture,” said Judicial Vice President, Skylar Reid. “I think it plays a really important role in campus life.”
After sharing their comments in regards to Thunder 91, students via the Instagram live also shared their love and support for what Ryan Steineckert has created through the station. The senate voted unanimously in favor of the request.
To stay up to date with SUUSA senate meetings, check out their instagram. The follow up senate meeting will be made available to the public and shared online.
Author: Anna Mower
Photographer: Anna Mower
Editor: Tessa Cheshire
news@suunews.net
