9 November 1998

Dear Chief Officer:

As you may already know, the student activity fee has remained constant at the University since 1992.  It’s time again to review the adequacy of the student fee, and make recommendations on whether the fee should be lowered, raised, or remain unchanged.

To appropriately review the student activities fee, we must hear testimony from members of student organizations.  Upon collecting and summarizing the testimony, then our committee will formally recommend a course of action to the Student Government Association.

To do all of this, we need your help.  Please appoint a qualified member from your organization to appear and give testimony to the committee.  This member should come prepared to answer three questions:

1. What increase, if any, is necessary to sustain current funding priorities?
2. What programs could be expanded or added with addition funding?
3. Should funding be increased to eliminate user fees (ticket prices, membership dues, uniforms, and other participation fees)?

The Student Activities Fee Review Committee will shape the future of all student organizations.  Therefore, University-wide participation is not only critical it is also indicative of your desire to have an allocation in the Spring.

We have scheduled a time for your organization to appear.  Please RSVP to Rabun Wiley (rabunw@arches.uga.edu) by Friday, Nov. 20th.  Upon making a reservation, Rabun will send information on where we’re meeting.  

Your date and time: ___________________.

Thank you,



_________________    _________________
Greg Skowronski     Rabun Wiley
Chair       Co-Chair
gregorys@arches.uga.edu                     rabunw@arches.uga.edu




Arguments:
1. Student body is better than ever, and is more interested in extracurricular activities.
2. The University has grown, and currently hosts over 400 registered student organizations.
3. We have not had an adjustment in fees since X, when the Ramsey Center was built.  
4. Comparatively, UGA students pay less than other schools in student fees.  We’re one of the lowest in the University System of Georgia for fees, and compared to the Southeast, UGA has a low student activity fee.  See chart below.
5. The budgets of all groups will either stagnate or decrease to make way for new clubs.
6. In particular, our larger groups that make headlines for the University (such as our award-winning debate teams, UGAzine, our X winning Lacrosse teams, etc) cannot grow under the current fee amount.
7. Groups that have proven their effectiveness and worth (such as minority services, ) will not grow.

University  Student Activity Fee
UGA $38








9 November 1998

Dear Academic Dean:

The SGA has formed a committee to review the student activity fee.  As you already know, your College receives a portion of this fee to distribute to student organizations at your discretion.  

The student activity fee has not been raised since 1992.  Together, the schools and colleges of the University only receive $160,000 to fund student organizations.  This allocation to the schools and colleges has remained constant for several years.

Before the committee can make a recommendation on the student fee, we need feedback from the schools and colleges.  Specifically, we request that your coordinator for allocating student fees send us a letter covering three issues: First, what increase, if any, is necessary to sustain current funding priorities.  Second, what programs could be expanded or added with addition funding.  Last, should funding be increased to lower user fees (ticket prices, membership dues, etc.).

Thank you for your time.  Your help in this matter will benefit student quality of life for years to come.  If you have any questions, feel free to call.

Respectfully yours,



____________________  ____________________
Greg Skowronski     Rabun Wiley
Chair       Co-chair
Gregorys@arches.uga.edu   rabunw@arches.uga.edu
      208-8769



APPLICATION TO SIT ON THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE REVIEW COMMITTEE (SARC)

Dear Applicant,

SGA has invited the entire student body to apply for a seat on SARC.  Any and all students may apply, regardless of your organizational involvement on campus.  

Applicants will be selected based on knowledge and experience in budget or fee allocations.  In addition, you must be available to sit on the committee between 2:30 and 5:30 PM from 11/30 to 12/4 and 12/7 to 12/11.  Please attach your answers to the questions below on a separate piece of paper.    

SARC will meet and hear testimony from student organizations and academic deans on the activity fee.  After compiling the information, SARC will make a recommendation on the student activity fee to the SGA.  

You will be contacted by phone regarding acceptance on Wednesday, 11/18.  This application is due Friday, 11/13.  

Thank you.

Name: __________________________

Local address: ______________________________________________

Phone: ___________________ Email: ___________________________

Year: _________ GPA: ______  Major: ___________________________

1. Do you foresee any problems with attending the SARC meeting? If so, which days and times?
2. Please name all your student organizational involvement, including all offices held.
3. Why are you interested in reviewing the student activity fee?
4. What experience do you have with budget processes or fee allocations?