As part of a threefold proposal, the Union is requesting a student fee increase. The Union student fees, which have not increased since 1995, will go toward the building’s operating costs, Union-sponsored programs free to students, small concerts, guest speakers, the art gallery, wages and salaries. The proposed fee increase is separate from the $60 Union renovation fee. The Union proposed a $13 increase to the $47 fee full-time students currently pay. The Union’s total 2005 revenues were $7,979,110 with total expenses of $5,497,845. The projected total 2006 revenues are $9,558,332, which is $1,579,222 more than last year. Projected total expenses are $5,596,013. Student fees make up 61.5 percent of the Union’s funds. Union Director Shirley Plakidas said the Union pays three percent of its revenues, including student fees, to the LSU General Budget. Without the fee increase, Plakidas said the Union would run a deficit in operations this year. “Initially we could handle that in our reserve funds, but that will deplete as well, and we would owe money to the University,” Plakidas said. Plakidas said TOPS scholarships paid the $47 fee for full-time students in the past. “Any new fees are charged to the students,” she said. Historically, part-time students were exempt from Union student fees, but they will be charged $5 per credit hour if the fee increase is approved by the University. “That’s one of the things that will keep the cost down for the full-time students,” Plakidas said. Ashley Knox, full-time kinesiology senior, said she visits the Union about three times every week to study, eat and go to the bookstore. She said the proposed fee increase seems slightly expensive. “It’s not a big problem,” she said. “That money could probably be used for something else though.” The Student Required Fee Committee, which met several times between July and September, recommends adjustments to required student fees that aid in maintaining a department’s operational expenses. “The committee reviews the department’s budget, operating statements, future financial projections and a plan for communicating the fee increase and other data as requested by the committee,” said Student Government Vice President Christen Heaton, one of six students on the committee. The committee’s recommendation passes through several administrative stages before it can be approved. “The committee’s recommendation is routed through the vice chancellors for Finance and Administrative Services and Student Life and Academic Services, to the Chancellor [Sean O’Keefe] for final review, approval and submission to the LSU System Office,” Heaton said. The committee rotates consideration each year among the Union, Student Health Center, University Recreation and the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation. “The committee allows for special circumstances in which a department in great need of review can appear outside its scheduled review year,” Heaton said. “For that reason, the Union, Student Health Center and Mass Transit appeared before the committee this term.” In this case, Heaton said the committee recommended that O’Keefe access “the minimal amount of fees necessary to allow each department to continue providing services to students.” Heaton said the committee informed O’Keefe that mass transit and UREC fees have been voted on by the Student Senate in the past. “The committee has reviewed all information and found that there is need for the fees in order to for these departments to continue providing student services,” Heaton said.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]