Every semester, students pay a mandatory student activity fee of $104.75, which funds various activities like Fall and Spring Fest.
At the upcoming referendum vote from Sept. 25 to 27, SA is proposing to increase the fee to $109.
The last increase to the fee was in 2014 when it was raised from $94.75 to its current amount.
SA President Gunnar Haberl said the fee should be increased to provide the Student Association with more funds to hold quality events for students.
“After spending this summer evaluating other SUNY Student Government's activity fees and SA's budget [and] operating costs, the proposed $4.75 increase will allow the Student Association to offer the same level of quality events and services as well as give next year's SA potential to grow,” Haberl wrote in an email.
Haberl could not comment on the specifics of the increase or what the money will be used for.
Students seem indifferent about the proposition.
Travis Reilly, a senior psychology major, said he rarely goes to SA events and doesn’t care about paying the fee every semester.
“I don’t really use many of the activities we’re provided with. They’re out of reach or I’m too far away. I haven’t even been to a fest since freshman year,” Reilly said. “I mean $5 isn’t much. I’ll probably opt to keep it as it is, but it’s not like they’re asking for a $50 increase.”
Clara Cook, a sophomore cognitive science major, said she’s annoyed to pay more each semester, but doesn’t think $5 will break the bank.
“Honestly, I wish I didn’t have to pay it at all, but I understand why they need to increase the fee,” Cook said. “Five bucks isn’t too much to ask, so I think people will vote yes if they think they’ll get a better experience in the end.”
Max Kalnitz is the senior news editor and can be reached at max.kalnitz@ubspectrum.com
