ASBSU fights to keep fees low

As this semester starts we face challenging circumstances at Boise State University. We are all aware of the deepening recession that has the potential to affect all of us. This is true in all higher education and Boise State.

Idaho projects major revenue shortfalls, which means we will see budget cuts in all services provided by our state government. Boise State will also need to cut, trim and reevaluate to save money and meet the budget cuts.

Cutting budgets is not the only solution to revenue shortfalls at our university. Raising tuition and student fees will also be a major point of discussion. These are solutions, but that means you and I will pay more for school next semester.

I don’t want to pay more and I don’t think anybody does. The recession is hitting us, the students, hardest. We can’t afford another cent.

I will have the task along with the Associated Students of Boise State University Vice President Joe Bunt, two other students and three faculty members, to sit on the student fee hearing board.

I will do my best to ensure student fees are not raised. This will not be an easy task. There are three groups asking for a fee increase – athletics, scholarships and The Arbiter. It is our mission to be fiscally responsible and evaluate their fee proposals and the budgets of other organizations that receive student fees. We must determine if those requesting an increase in student fees should get them, and if so, find where we can get those funds in an effort not to raise student fees. We must not be afraid to cut, reallocate or altogether eliminate some fees.

It is important that students understand the difference between tuition and student fees. Tuition is roughly $1,400 a semester and student fees are about $1,000 a semester.

We do not have as much power to prevent a raise in tuition, so those costs may go up. But we will still lobby to keep those requests to a minimum.

I ask the students to write me, or anyone in student government, to share your feelings on the upcoming fee hearings. We need your input and support to keep costs down during these tough economic times.

Thank you and please stay involved on campus. Take interest in the decisions made because we, the students, ultimately have the power to get changes we want to see on campus realized.

TREVOR GRIGG
ASBSU President

Related Posts:

1. Boise State cuts budget by $3.5 million
2. Ruch says plan for higher student fees
3. Fees may jump 20%
4. Proposal to cut funding to ASBSU, Arbiter
5. Student fees to rise 10% next year