Finally, a fee benefiting students

Imagine: The University of La Verne becoming a bustling institution of collegiate life with entertaining, academic and spirit-driven events enhancing the students’ experience to its full potential as the “best years of your life.”

Some of you may be laughing right now saying this illusion is a far cry from our beloved University today.

The Associated Students of the University of La Verne are taking steps to this ideal with their proposal of increasing the student activities fee.

The proposal calls for an increase from the current $90, a figure that hasn’t changed since 1982, to $270.

Off the bat this increase appears intense, however stepping back and examining where and how this fee will benefit students, the price is worth it.

“This is a fee where you will see a return,” said Rida Fatima, ASULV president.

The student activities fee directly aids the college experience funding student government to allocate more funds to clubs and organizations on campus allowing more events and activities of quality.

With more money ULV will be able to host quality events with more high-profile guests, establish programs guiding students through their club’s organization and enhancing life experiences and allocate more funds allowing clubs reach their full potential of efficiency and student empathy.

When compared with student fees at similar schools locally, ULV far misses the mark.

Schools such as Cal Poly Pomona and Pomona College have fees more than triple our measly $90.

Out of the entire tuition increase proposed this year at 5.48 percent, the student activities fee proposal will account for 1.37 percent – a small figure in the large scope of things.

“It hurts the pocket, but increases the collegiate experience on campus,” Fatima said.

The student activities fee does not appear as a line item on a student’s bill.

Essentially, the student never sees this fee but it plays a large part in student life.

If the proposal is approved today at the Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee meeting, the fee increase will take effect next school year and be phased in over two years.

With the process of proposing change to the Board, ASULV was not required to inform students of this increase.

Fatima had the power to approach the Board with a letter and students would see the increase without knowing its cause.

Also, once approved, the University cannot touch the fee taking money away; it is in complete control by student government.

We at the Campus Times commend ASULV for communicating with the student population about their intentions and honesty regarding the increase.

The organization could have let students grumble about the tuition increase and complain we never see where any of these increases go.

However, they chose to show the students their money is being put to good use.

“My goal is to make the allocation very transparent to show students, ‘look this is where your money is going,’ ” Fatima said.

The increase is an impressive idea that has come a long way in the making.

The student community is placing a great deal of trust on ASULV to show results of this increase once approved.

We pray the increase will be evident and well-worth the cost.

This increase only has room to improve life on campus if properly allocated and used.

Although our checkbooks may be frowning at the idea now, the future holds great promise for the ULV we hoped for when we first stepped foot onto our tiny Southern California campus.