What is the Student Initiated Fee?

Author: Brandy Sickles

Are you aware of what a student initiated fee is? I didn’t think so.

The student initiated fee is an amount of money that students pay within tuition that is used towards enhancing student related activities or funding student used equipment on campus.

There are several different categories that the student initiated fee is broken into.

  • Activities
  • Campus Recreation & Services
  • Facilities
  • Counseling Services
  • Student Legal Services
  • Council of Commonwealth Student Governments

There is a certain amount of money that goes into each category that amounts to ~$250. The money is then multiplied by each student for each semester.

The amount of money in the end is a tremendous amount that is allocated each year by the Student Initiated Fee Board.

As a Penn State student, I am a part of the board with five other people, and the President of Student Government Association (SGA). Being included in this board means that we are able to vote on the proposals of what the money should go toward within the categories.

It’s a great honor to be apart of something so big and impactful for the campus. We are the ones that are making a difference in the future activities and facilities for the campus. Without the board, nothing would be processed and approved.

Most people don’t even know that this exists, however they should! Being that the students are paying this amount of money that is going toward enhancing their time at Penn State Fayette, they have a say so in what it goes toward.

While some things are planned out year to year, such as the Student Activities Calendar, there are several other things that can be proposed to SGA and then the board.

With that said, I encourage all students to voice their opinions in any changes or ideas that they may have for the campus.

You never know where they might lead!

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