Student fee increases for Metro programs possible
Administrator says student vote not required
 

By Perry Swanson
The Metropolitan

Three student fees are on the table for a possible increase next fall.

Administrators for Metro Athletics, the Student Life and the Student Health Center are all considering fee increases. Students might get to vote on the issue, but Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen, the dean of Student Life, said a student vote is not required.

The student government would have to recommend an increase to the collegeās Board of Trustees for approval.

The student government could let students vote on the issue, or it could approve the increase without a vote, Ortega-Ericksen said.

Department officials wouldnāt comment on how much the increase would be or how the money would be spent because they are still working out the details.

ćAt this juncture Iāve been advised not to give out information on that,ä said Steve Monaco, the Student Health Centerās director. ćWeāre in the process right now, and we will know in the next couple of months the direction that weāll be going on this.ä

Jessie Bullock, SGAās vice president of Student Fees, said she would like to see the issue decided by a student vote.

Bullock also said sheās withholding judgments about whether the departments need an increase until they  announce exactly how they will use the money.

Metro students taking 8 credit hours or more shell out $36.25 for the Student Activity Fee, $18 for Athletics, and $13.75 for the health center.

Ortega-Ericksen said the Student Activity fee hasnāt been raised in five years and  her departments, which include Student Legal Services, Campus Recreation and the Student Finance Resource Center, are starting to feel the strain.

William Helman, the Athletics director, said his program hasnāt received an increase in four years. Rising costs have forced the athletics program to resort to bingo games and food sales at games to make up for the shortfall, he said.

A policy about student fees from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education says that state institutions must give at least 30 days notice before raising fees.

It also says colleges should involve ćstudent participation in setting student fees.ä