Southern Utah University’s Student Association Senate addressed multiple student fee requests for the 2026-2027 school year on Jan. 15. Students and administrators in attendance discussed these requests before the senate voted to approve or deny them.
Many programs and campus resources at SUU are funded through semesterly student fees. The SUUSA senate hosts an annual meeting where these fees are reevaluated to ensure that the money students spend in fees aligns with their best interests.
Approved Fee Requests
The fees approved during this meeting include a $10.75 SUUSA fee and a $19 Student Center Activity fee. This money will fund free events for the student body. The $4 Theatre, Dance and Arts Administration Department fee was also approved. Each of these fees are the same as they were last year.
The Student Senate addressed their concerns for an increase in student fees for programs like the campus radio station. Attendees were able to defend their program’s requests.
“To do the Sips n’ Spins event, it costs about $300 for the paint, paint brushes and the covers to cover the tables and the carpet,” said Ryan Steineckert, manager of the campus radio station. “What we’re asking for, that 10 cents, is so that we can do more, so that we can make the Sips n’ Spins free.”
Last year, the senate approved Thunder 91.1’s request for a 10 cent student fee. However, Steineckert shared that due to policy changes, their budget was to be funded through the president’s council. The station was not informed on how to locate their funds, and subsequently could not use it this school year. Jared Tippets, SUU’s vice president of student affairs, will look into this issue with the communication department before the next meeting.
Denied Fee Requests
Because the SUUSA senate is looking for ways to decrease the student fee amount, there were a handful of fee requests denied. The senate invited the requestees at Thursday’s meeting to repropose their requests in a future meeting.
The changes included a denied increase in athletic fees to fund travel and other expenses. SUU Athletics currently benefits from $100 in student fees, but requested an increase to $103. Athletics’ funding was decreased last year, which they claim has affected student athletes access to travel and tutoring. SUU Outdoor Recreation’s $8 fee, as well as SUU News’ $5 fee were also denied for reapproval.
There was no SUU Outdoors representative present at the senate meeting, but according to the student fee website, their student fee budget covers the cost of free student trips and affordable rental equipment.
The removal of these student fees could affect the free resources offered at SUU.
SUU News Student Fee
Another problem discussed across multiple fee requests, including SUU News’, was the use of student fees to cover student wages. Though student wages were a pillar of many executive council members campaigns, some SUUSA leaders suggested that SUU News staff work as unpaid interns.
“I was personally a pre-med before I was business. I did research — that’s huge — but I wasn’t getting paid for it and that’s because I saw the value in having a future career, and so I made the sacrifice rather than working, I would do research,” said Business Senator Landon Brian. “I don’t think it’s fair to … spread that burden across the entire student body for 18-20 students to have enough wages.”
Of the $319 students pay each semester, $5 goes to SUU News and the University Journal. This money pays reporters, editors, designers and photographers so that they can dedicate their time to producing objective news for the SUU community. This budget also covers the cost of printing the University Journal.
A follow-up senate meeting will be held on Jan. 29, and fee requests will be readdressed for a final decision.
These meetings are open to the public, and students are encouraged to attend voice their concerns. A live broadcast will be available on the SUU Student Life Instagram.
Author: Briar Adams
Photo: Anna Mower
Editor: Heather Turner
news@suunews.net
