WMU News

Trustees approve increase in fee

June 26, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees June 26 approved an increase in the Student Assessment Fee of $4 per semester and $2 per session as well as a revised allocation structure for its proceeds.

The increase, the first since 1992, brings the fee to $12 each for fall and winter semesters and $6 each for spring and summer sessions.

The increase was approved by 55 percent of students voting in a referendum conducted by the Western Student Association in February. The fee is expected to generate nearly $600,000 for a variety of student activities, events and programs, beginning with the summer session.

The revised allocation process gives an additional 5 percent of the revenue generated by the fee to the Office of Student Life for a total of 10 percent of the proceeds. The additional revenue is needed to provide services to a greatly increased number of registered student organizations.

The remainder collected from undergraduate students is divided by these percentages: 40 percent to the Campus Activities Board, 52 percent to the Student Budget Allocation Committee and 8 percent to the Western Student Association.

Of the remainder collected from graduate students, 20 percent will go to the Campus Activities Board and 80 percent will go to the Graduate Student Advisory Committee. Each of these groups approved the revised distribution process.

"The additional funds will support an expanded program for leadership and life skills development for student organizations and their members," said Paul F. Iagnocco, director of student life.

"The number of registered student organizations has increased dramatically in recent years, from 154 in 1991 to 405 this year," he said. "There is an increased need for service and leadership development for our students."

The Office of Student Life already provides a wide range of services to registered student organizations. They include an adviser's handbook, a guidebook for registered student organizations, a treasurer's manual, World Wide Web site management and recognition programs.

Media contact: Mike Matthews, 616 387-8400, michael.matthews@wmich.edu


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
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Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
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