Student Dollars at Work for Students
While the student incidental fee is subject to the approval of the University President, the students involved in the Student Fee Committee make decisions which determine the fee and allocate the resulting funds. They have control of what, and how much to fund, as well as the cost of the student incidental fee, green tag fee, and student recreation center fee. As such, the student incidental fee is one of the best ways that students effect change and express their priorities on campus. It represents an opportunity to make formative changes that can, and will affect the campus for years to come.
The student incidental fee is allocated by students in a transparent, responsible, and objective process. The process is used to promote and enact shared governance by giving students budgetary authority within the university.
The student incidental fee has been officially recognized and established by the passage of HB 2747 by the Oregon Legislature in 1983 and again in HB 3120 in 2013.
Student Fee Committees Applications and Forms
The Student Fee Committee requires four At-Large Students, not part of ASSOU. An At-Large Student on this committee is one of the best ways that students effect change and express their priorities on campus. It represents an opportunity to make formative changes that can, and will affect the campus for years to come.
Apply to be an At-Large Student using this form and deliver to ASSOU Director of Finance. If not possible, scan and email to assoutreasury@sou.edu .
Structure of the Student Fee Committee & Subcommittees
The Student Fee Committee is typically meets as a body for training, then separate into the Student Fee Budget Committee (SFBC) and Student Fee Allocation Committee (SFAC) to set and allocate the budget. For more information about how these committees are seated, see the Membership of Committees tab.
The Environmental Affairs Committee is a recognized standing committee of the ASSOU tasked with allocating money from the Green Fund.
The Club Board of Advisors (CBA) is charged with conducting budget investigations for clubs that do not get direct funding from the SFAC, and allocates money out of the CBA budget on a term-by-term basis to said clubs.
What Does the Student Fee Pay For?
At SOU, the incidental fee pays for a plethora of different things, including but not limited to athletics, certain administrative positions, operating costs and maintenance of Stevenson Union, as well as clubs and services operating out of it, and a variety of smaller clubs managed through the Club Board of Advisors. The purpose of the student fee is to provide services and enriching experiences to the students at SOU.
Programs funded by the Student Incidental Fee must provide an extracurricular educational experience that develops student leadership, facilitates retention, and encourages community-based learning.
Student Fee Timeline
The Student Fee Budget Committee (SFBC) meets prior to the Student Fee Allocations Committee (SFAC). SFBC will develop appropriate forms for those requesting Student Fee Dollars before the end of Fall term, and these forms are typically due back in early January. The SFAC will then meet to read the forms and allocate funds, typically prior to March. During this Winter Term, SFBC will also present its decision to the Student Senate. These recommendations, after approval by the Senate and ASSOU President, will then be brought to (and approved by) the University President and Board of Trustees beginning in March and possibly continuing throughout Spring Term.
For more specific deadlines, including those for Carry Over Requests, contact your Director of Finance at assoutreasury@sou.edu .
Student Fee Logo
The student fee logo image files should be used by clubs, organizations, and programs that are funded by the student fee. Including the student fee logo in promotional materials helps educate students about where fee money goes. More visibility for the fee will encourage more students to get involved in ASSOU’s budget allocation process and ensure ongoing support for popular student-fee-funded groups.
Do not crop the logo or change its appearance in any way. ASSOU recommends placing the logo on the bottom right corner of promotional materials. We strongly suggest that you use the half-inch version for quarter sheet flyers, the one-inch version for 8.5×11 flyers, and the two-inch version for 11×17 or larger flyers.
For questions about student fee logo usage, please contact the ASSOU Director of Public Relations at assoupr@sou.edu .
Membership of Committee
Student Fee Budget Committee
The Student Fee Budget Committee Voting membership is comprised of six (6) ASSOU Senate representatives and a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of six (6) at-large SOU student committee members.
The ASSOU Director of Finance and Administration will be the thirteenth member of the SFBC and serves as the Chair. The Chair, however, will vote on matters before the committee only in the event their vote is needed to resolve a tie vote.
The Administrative Directors shall be responsible for taking minutes at each meeting of the SFBC. Institutional designees in the University’s Student Life and Budget offices shall serve as ex-officio members of the SFBC. The SFBC also should have an ASSOU executive cabinet officer serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
Student Fee Allocation Committee
The Student Fee Allocation Committee Voting membership is comprised of six (6) ASSOU Senate representatives and a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of six (6) at-large SOU student committee members.
The ASSOU Vice President will be the thirteenth member of the SFAC and serve as the Chair. The Chair, however, will vote on matters before the committee only in the event their vote is needed to resolve a tie vote.
The Administrative Directors shall be responsible for taking minutes at each meeting of the SFBC. Institutional designees in the University’s Student Life and Budget offices shall serve as ex-officio members of the SFBC. The SFBC also should have an ASSOU executive cabinet officer serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member.