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Gonzalez approves fee increases after students vote them down
ASI, Hornet, athletics department fees all failed during April elections
Natalie Flynn
Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: News
Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez approved an increase in student fees despite a negative student vote at the April 28-29 student election.
The fees, which will help fund athletics and the State Hornet, come at the same time as other tuition fees, but are not related to the increases caused by the state's budget crunch.
Todd Wilson, State Hornet editor-in-chief, said the paper has been suffering a little financially because advertising revenue has decreased.
"Like the majority of newspapers in the country our advertising revenue, which makes up roughly two-thirds of our budget, is falling due to the tough economic times," Wilson said. "The fee increase will help us weather that storm."
As a result of Gonzalez's move, fees will increase $4 for recreational sports and $18 for intercollegiate sports during the upcoming school year.
The new total for ASI fees is $155.50 each semester, an increase of $22.
The fee increase should help the athletics department not cut scholarships and keep all the programs currently in the department, the school said in a press release.
Student athletes said they were pleased by the news.
Alyse Marlatt, a member of the Sacramento State rowing team, was telling all of her friends to vote for the fee increase because it would help student athletes like herself.
Marlatt was worried that if the fee was not passed, she would lose her scholarship.
However, now she can put her worries aside and continue to compete and attend school.
Holly Heyser, State Hornet adviser, said that the 50 cent fee increase is the first since 1999 for the paper and will help it keep up with inflation.
Wilson said the increase will also help student journalists produce a better paper but said he was a little upset that Gonzalez did not support the student decision to not increase fees.
"While I am happy that the Hornet will be getting more revenue -- and we do need it -- I am disheartened by the fact that President Gonzalez did not honor the student vote on the matter," Wilson said. "It is his prerogative under University rules. We at the Hornet feel strongly that an increase in student fees on campus should be approved by the students."
He added the Hornet was prepared to accept the no vote from students and start a referendum to try and secure more funding. But, Wilson also pointed out that a higher voter turnout at the polls in April could have prevented these fees from being approved at a later date.
"Under 15 percent of eligible voters taking part is really too low of a number to decimate our athletics programs. I would hope that a voter turnout of over 30 percent would have led Gonzalez to honor the will of the students," Wilson said.
Because the Hornet is now receiving more requests to investigate the transparency of agencies, Wilson said the paper has decided to provide details of its spending, meetings, and other information the public may want to know.
"This will give the campus community insight into our values, mission, plans and how we operate as a student-run newspaper," Wilson said.
Other fee increases this coming fall include Regional Transit increase that was passed by students and a University Union fee increase that increases automatically with with the Consumer Price Index.
In total, student fees will be $2,114 for the Fall 2009 semester. This includes all CSU and campus fees, an increase of $177 per semester.
Natalie Flynn can be reached at nflynn@statehornet.com.
The fees, which will help fund athletics and the State Hornet, come at the same time as other tuition fees, but are not related to the increases caused by the state's budget crunch.
Todd Wilson, State Hornet editor-in-chief, said the paper has been suffering a little financially because advertising revenue has decreased.
"Like the majority of newspapers in the country our advertising revenue, which makes up roughly two-thirds of our budget, is falling due to the tough economic times," Wilson said. "The fee increase will help us weather that storm."
As a result of Gonzalez's move, fees will increase $4 for recreational sports and $18 for intercollegiate sports during the upcoming school year.
The new total for ASI fees is $155.50 each semester, an increase of $22.
The fee increase should help the athletics department not cut scholarships and keep all the programs currently in the department, the school said in a press release.
Student athletes said they were pleased by the news.
Alyse Marlatt, a member of the Sacramento State rowing team, was telling all of her friends to vote for the fee increase because it would help student athletes like herself.
Marlatt was worried that if the fee was not passed, she would lose her scholarship.
However, now she can put her worries aside and continue to compete and attend school.
Holly Heyser, State Hornet adviser, said that the 50 cent fee increase is the first since 1999 for the paper and will help it keep up with inflation.
Wilson said the increase will also help student journalists produce a better paper but said he was a little upset that Gonzalez did not support the student decision to not increase fees.
"While I am happy that the Hornet will be getting more revenue -- and we do need it -- I am disheartened by the fact that President Gonzalez did not honor the student vote on the matter," Wilson said. "It is his prerogative under University rules. We at the Hornet feel strongly that an increase in student fees on campus should be approved by the students."
He added the Hornet was prepared to accept the no vote from students and start a referendum to try and secure more funding. But, Wilson also pointed out that a higher voter turnout at the polls in April could have prevented these fees from being approved at a later date.
"Under 15 percent of eligible voters taking part is really too low of a number to decimate our athletics programs. I would hope that a voter turnout of over 30 percent would have led Gonzalez to honor the will of the students," Wilson said.
Because the Hornet is now receiving more requests to investigate the transparency of agencies, Wilson said the paper has decided to provide details of its spending, meetings, and other information the public may want to know.
"This will give the campus community insight into our values, mission, plans and how we operate as a student-run newspaper," Wilson said.
Other fee increases this coming fall include Regional Transit increase that was passed by students and a University Union fee increase that increases automatically with with the Consumer Price Index.
In total, student fees will be $2,114 for the Fall 2009 semester. This includes all CSU and campus fees, an increase of $177 per semester.
Natalie Flynn can be reached at nflynn@statehornet.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 27
Virindi
Rolling Thunder
posted 6/25/09 @ 10:38 AM PST
The most important thing about Gonzalez overriding the student referendum is that it's an illegal move on Gonzalez's part to do that, and I am shocked Natalie Flynn did not include this in her article. (Continued…)
PB Newsome
posted 6/25/09 @ 8:24 PM PST
It is not illegal, the President's at San Diego and Fresno both raised the fees after a failed vote. I for one am elated Gonzalez had the vision and leadership to inact his right to do this, it will benefit the campus and students for many years. (Continued…)
Speechless!!!
posted 6/25/09 @ 9:34 PM PST
Its clear that Sacramento State students do not want fee increases, where is the student government in all this? They were not even included in this article. (Continued…)
Doug
posted 6/26/09 @ 2:16 PM PST
THANK YOU SO MUCH DR. G!!!
There is a large contingent of folks backing you and the building up of our campus and DI athletics program!
Ummm Rolling Thunder, did you read your own sources? Per link # 2. (Continued…)
sam
posted 6/27/09 @ 9:43 AM PST
Ed Code 89300 says: "The trustees may approve an increase or decrease in the student body fee only after the fee increase or decrease has been approved by a majority of students voting in a referendum established for that purpose. (Continued…)
Ian
posted 6/27/09 @ 10:54 AM PST
Wow, it sure seems that Gonzalez' move was illegal. The Hornet should explore this possibility. With all due respect to athletics, if Gonzalez wants to fund them he can do so out of the regular budget, not on the backs of students who don't want to pay more. (Continued…)
George Thomas
posted 6/28/09 @ 6:12 PM PST
First, it is obvious Doug is in college for sports, not to learn.
Second, Gonzalez doesn't respect the will of the students. Maybe the students should give him a vote of no confidence as the faculty did a few years ago. (Continued…)
V
posted 6/29/09 @ 11:35 AM PST
89304. "...in addition to any other student fee the trustees are authorized to establish, a building and operating fee, not to exceed forty dollars ($40) per student per academic year,"
Clearly our student fees are WAY above $40 . (Continued…)
PB Newsome
posted 6/29/09 @ 7:28 PM PST
Cry me a river, $18 for the year. $3 a month. You people are the reason this state is disentegrating. This isn't your school, this is the State of California's school and if you haven't noticed, the State is broke. (Continued…)
PB Newsome
posted 6/30/09 @ 12:58 PM PST
Phil T:
I bet you voted for Obama?
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