Along with tuition, parking and technology fees, all IUS students pay a Student Activity Fee. The fee is calculated at $5 per credit hour, up to 12 hours, so the maximum any student pays per semester is about $60.
The SAF helps support funding for co-curricular, that is, out of classroom, activities. Some of these activities are athletic, some are educational and some are entertainment.
Each year the Student Life Committee meets to determine the disbursement of these funds.
Ruth Garvey-Nix, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, is the Student Life Committee chair.
“The committee has to balance all of the interests, try to be good stewards of the funds and represent students’ interests,” Garvey-Nix said.
This year, the total amount available from the fee is $653,587. More than half that amount, $349,450, was allotted to athletics.
Garvey-Nix said she is aware that some students question why such a large amount of the fees are distributed to the athletics program when it does not seem likely that participation or attendance rivals that percentage.
“Indiana University does not allow the general fund to support inter-collegiate athletics,” she said. “So we’re in this position where the committee has inherited a commitment to seven athletic teams that cannot be funded through general fund means.”
Pat Mrozowski, Athletics director, said, “We use most of the money for operational expenses such as team travel, uniforms and equipment. Other expenses include game workers, the salaries of most of our coaches, etc.”
Mrozowski said game officials and recruiting expenses are also paid out of the individual sports budgets.
“Of the $145,000 allocated to general athletics, $106,000 goes to coaching salaries and game workers,” he said. “Other expenses include what we are assessed by Risk Management for medical expenses not covered by the athlete’s insurance, athletic training expenses, repair of equipment and a few smaller items.”
Garvey-Nix said, “As much as some students are upset that so much of the activity fee goes toward Athletics, the Athletics department actually operates on a very lean budget.”
Mrozowski said, “The SAF funded allocations, although generous, do not cover the operating expenses of the teams. Each team is responsible for funding anything that exceeds the SAF allocation.”
For this reason, all IUS athletic teams are involved in fund-raising activities.
Leadership Development was awarded $4,985 of SAF funds.
Kathy Meyer, coordinator of New Student and Leadership Programs, said leadership programs intends to use its budget to help students identify and enhance their leadership skills.
“This year, students will have an opportunity to participate in three on-campus student leadership conferences,” Meyer said.
“In addition, students can expect to see an expanded series of LEGACY Leadership workshops which focus on a variety of leadership topics including time management, conflict resolution and improving study skills,” she said.
Meyer said students who participate in these activities can earn a certificate of participation, which is recommended for juniors and seniors looking to document their co-curricular experiences in preparation for their future career goals.
“The effectiveness of our existing leadership programs is documented through program evaluations,” Meyer said. “Campus Life uses program evaluations to determine what programs students find most beneficial to their college experience.”
The Student Program Council garnered $60,786 in SAF funds, roughly nine percent of the total fee.
Channell Barbour, associate director of Campus Life, said some of the funds will be used to host Week of Welcome when, during the first week of classes, the Student Programming Council will provide soft drinks, doughnuts and directions around campus for incoming students.
“SPC has many activities planned for the week, such as the USA break dancers, food, live bands, tie-dye shirts, inflatables, an ice cream social and an outdoor dance movie,” Barbour said.
Other SPC events planned for this year include Open-Mic nights and appearances by musicians Jared Campbell and Meg Alison.
Funds dispersed from SAF must be used during that school year. The money does not carry over to the next year.
Near the end of each spring semester any remaining SAF funds revert into a control account managed by the committee.
Garvey-Nix said the committee asks account managers for suggestions for use of the funds in the control account, and the Student Government Association conducts surveys asking students for suggestions. Then the committee makes the final decision on the best use of control account funds.
For example, the committee has used the year-end funds to make one-time purchases such as picnic tables, new software for The Horizon and refurbished equipment for the fitness center.
Garvey-Nix said, this year, the control account has purchased additional mulch to go under the playground equipment at the Children’s Center. They also purchased a new sound system for the SPC for use beginning this fall.
“The portable sound system is on order and will be available soon,” Barbour said. “SPC plans to use the sound system at Coffeehouse Café events, Open-Mics and other intimate settings.”
The new sound system will be available for the use of any student group. Barbour said there will be a check-out system in place for that purpose.
Complete information regarding disbursement of SAF funds is available to students from such sources as the IUS website, the student planner and posters and brochures distributed throughout campus.
The complete fee is also available online at http://www.ius.edu/student
affairs/activityfee.cfm.
By DARIENNE ARCURI
Editor
darcuri@ius.edu
