The university will sustain its commitment to all existing student support programs while implementing a fee reduction for the 2014-15 academic year (Bruce F. Cramer photo).
Contact: Pat Lopes Harris, 408-924-1748
San Jose, CA—San Jose State University, in consultation with elected student leaders, announced today fundamental changes to the Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee. With these changes, the university will sustain its commitment to all existing student support programs while implementing a fee reduction for the 2014-15 academic year.
“This semester was a good time to re-consider this fee, which we introduced two years ago,” said President Mohammad Qayoumi. “We had very productive discussions with student leaders and we will continue to welcome input from the university community.”
Here are the changes students should expect this fall:
- The Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee will be “unbundled.” This means it will be split into three components: the Instructionally Related Activities Fee ($147), Course Support Fee ($30), and Student Success Fee ($118).
- When combined, the total of the three fees will be $295 for fall 2014, equivalent to the fall 2013 rate and well below the $375 rate originally set for fall 2014.
- This change will clarify the purpose of each fee and facilitate comparisons with other CSU campuses.
Here is how the changes will impact programming and oversight:
- Revenue from these fees will allow San Jose State to support all existing programs and several new proposals for 2014-15.
- Athletics will continue to receive support through the Instructionally Related Activities Fee. This was the case previous to the introduction of the SSETF, which incorporated the IRA.
- Associated Students, the Academic Senate and the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs will share oversight of these fees.
A few weeks ago, elected student leaders proposed holding a student poll to obtain feedback on the appropriate amounts for these fees. The administration voiced support for this approach. However, student leaders felt garnering sufficient student feedback was unrealistic at this point in the semester due to competing priorities such as final exams, graduation, employment, and housing.
“Students have the right to know what their fees are paying for and unbundling the Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee will improve this needed transparency,” said Nicholas Ayala, Associated Students of SJSU president. “Our interest in the future of this fee is what is in the best interest of all San Jose State students. In order to make an informed recommendation, there must be adequate time for students to be educated and weigh in on this decision.”
San Jose State University—Silicon Valley’s largest institution of higher learning with 30,000 students and 3,850 employees—is part of the California State University system. SJSU’s 154-acre downtown campus anchors the nation’s 10th largest city.