Fee Transparency Project

Video Conference Access: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/143020999

Attendees: Chase Hayes, Brent Insua, Alexa Chavez, Brynna Downey, Fiona Weigant, May Alvarez, Venkatesh Nagubandi, Yuhao Chen, Isaac Karth, Veronica Mitry, Lydia Jenkins-Sleczkowski, Lisa Bishop, Brian Arao, Lucy Rojas, Elliot Lewis, Lucy Rojas

Approval of Agenda and Minutes
1. Venkatesh motions to approve the agenda, May seconds. No objections, motion passes.
2. Venkatesh motions to approve the minutes, Brent seconds. No objections, motion passes.
Announcements and Updates
1. Announcements
  1. Spring Quarter Regular Meeting Time
    1. Fridays 2:30 - 3:45 pm. Will this work for an ongoing meeting time?
      1. This time works for everyone so far. If folks want to avoid Friday afternoons, Chase can look for a new time.
      2. Isaac says that he is double booked for this time slot, but this time slot is not ideal. Veronica and Yuhao agree.
    2. Moving forward, we will require members “register” when they login in to the Zoom meeting. To assist with security and tracking participation.
      1. Members will need to register with their UCSC email in order to join future meetings.
  2. Announcement from Lucy: Next week, Lucy will be hosting a forum for student interns/student leaders affiliated through the Division of Student Success, to provide feedback to the Public Information Office and a consultant the division is working with, around communications. We need feedback from students on the COVID-19 related communications, frequency, mode, etc. Keep your eye on your email for more details. Thank you!
    1. This is a consulting workgroup to work with the communications office, to ensure student consultation. Some things might have been resolved, or could use further clarification, if students consult with the communications office ahead of time.
  3. Membership - openings for Stevenson, Cowell, College 9
    1. Rachel Carson will also be vacant at the end of spring.
    2. Stevenson’s position is already filled.
    3. Let students at Cowell or College 9 know they can now apply.
  4. Technological needs - any tech needs to engage in SFAC duties/meetings this quarter? Please send Lucy an email.
  5. Engaging with College Government/GSC/GSA spaces this quarter - is everyone plugged in? Any ideas or best practices for engaging with spaces?
    1. Spring quarter tends to have more flexibility regarding SFAC’s agenda list. Are there any ideas from the group about recruitment, or getting the word out about what SFAC does? For example, last year SFAC hosted the taco referendum event in May.
    2. Venkatesh comments that student government spaces have seemed independent from SFAC’s operations. Chase clarifies that these spaces may be helpful for outreach regarding elections, student fees, and SFAC’s advisory role.
    3. Chase notes that the lack of communication from administration regarding student fees may be a position SFAC can take this quarter.
    4. Brynna shares that GSA and GSC are still having meetings, and is an opportunity for grad students to engage in conversation.
    5. Chase follows up by saying that this can be an opportunity to expand SFAC’s educational role, and communication to spaces in a new way. SUA has also kept meetings as well.
  6. Other Announcements
    1. No other announcements from members.
Campus Elections Follow Up - Guest: Brian Arao (joining meeting at 2:45 pm)
1. Chase welcomes Brian back to the space.
2. Brian is joining the space again about the status of spring campus elections. SFAC’s consultation last week was very helpful, and Brian has also been in communication with other UCs, referendum authors, and student spaces. These groups all had different ideas about the best approach to this.
3. Brian says that the main issue here is whether or not expected low turnout is a valid reason to change the elections process. This impacts students, and future student experiences. Campus admin is very cognizant of this dilemma, and believes students should be in control of the referendum vote.
4. Brian updates the group that they would like to move forward with a consolidated spring campus election, providing adequate sponsorship for both referenda. They are also leaning away from requesting a lower voter threshold, as this can be seen as minimizing the student voice in these decisions. Brian is now looking at how they can engage all the online tools to encourage voter turnout, including Zoom, social media, student portal, etc to use in this new environment. This is very important in holding a consolidated election.
5. Though this is where admin would like to proceed, Brian is revisiting this update with each space. He would also like to continue this decision at the next SUA meeting.
6. Chase comments that even if they postpone elections until 2021, there wouldn’t be much of a difference.
7. Brian acknowledges that both referendum are aware that this is a difficult position. However, holding elections this year provides an opportunity to return to next year’s elections. These decisions could have significant operational impacts, for example with the Sustainability Office.
8. Venkatesh asks about a two-try limit in passing a referenda? Brian clarifies that there is no actual rule saying an author can’t keep returning to the process every year. Venkatesh agrees with Brian’s idea to try elections this spring.
9. Brynna asks about extending the voting window? Brian responds that last year’s window was longer than usual, but could return to a standard week-long model this year. He says that if a 10-day window leads to more voter turnout, it is likely to happen again, given proper consultation with SUA and GSA.
10. Brian asks the group about raising this at next week’s SUA meeting? Garrett will also be at that meeting. Chase confirms that he and Brent can have that conversation.
11. Fiona asks if there has been any talk of alternative methods of voting, considering all students may not have a stable internet connection? Brian says that there is already an option that exists should a student want to request a paper ballot. If students reach out, Brian can do so if he receives it back by the voting deadline.
12. Brian adds that if students need help with technological resources, Slug Support can work with them to get stronger internet access to account for online instruction.
COVID-19 Impacts
1. 2018-2019 Allocations
  1. Lucy has notified all 2018-2019 award recipients of the extension to June 2021.
  2. Lucy shares that awardees were appreciative and positive of SFAC’s proactive approach.
  3. This year’s notification letters will be going out soon to this year’s awardees. The COVID language will be included in these letters.
2. Student Fees in Spring Quarter
  1. Clarification from Lucy: You may have read the message that went to all students last Friday, confirming that all fees would be charged for spring quarter, including campus based fees. Apologies from Lucy; there was some miscommunication regarding the request to SFAC to be involved in a process to review spring campus based fees. Lucy is meeting with a team member from the Chancellor’s Office on Monday...stay tuned and let’s keep looking forward in terms of our role to help advise on long-term fee policy issues. Thank you for your engagement.
    1. UCOP’s direction for Campus Based Fees was that all of these will stay charged for the spring quarter.
    2. There is interest in engaging the committee for long-term policies, especially now looking towards the summer. Consultation for campus elections can be part of this goal. Lucy will update the group with how SFAC can be engaged on an ongoing basis in the future, especially regarding holistic issues.
    3. Lisa shares that the summer fees SFAC approved have already been approved by the Chancellor and put in the regular billing cycles. Lucy asks if there is an opportunity to engage at the end of this summer for reallocation of fees towards each unit? Lisa responds that no, the methodology is different from how it was previously administered.
  2. Chase shares that CSF happened this past weekend. Most people on the council shared similar sentiments that spring fee reductions might heavily impact the campus more than if student fees are refunded. They met with UCOP, and right now most campuses are not really saving costs, as they are still investing in licensing and technological updates. This informed the directive regarding full fee charges in spring. There is a frustration amongst UC campuses with the lack of transparency in how this decision was made, and students might take it differently if they get a better explanation. This informed Lucy’s forums on communication with Scott Hernandez Jason, the public relations director. There is also a consultant helping with COVID communications, who can hear feedback about how to relay messages that students can better understand.
  3. Chase says that Lucy will be presenting Anna with the question of who performed the analysis over why certain fees are still charged.
  4. Chase also asks about the money coming from the money UCOP will be receiving regarding the CARES act. Lucy updates that group that there is about $236 million coming to the UC system, which will be allocated based on each campus’ enrollment. Half will go directly to financial aid, the other half will be used to offset direct operational costs related to the COVID response.
  5. Brynna asks if the funding coming to the campus will be used for direct campus expenses, or for auxiliary units such as housing and dining? Lucy is not sure if it offsets revenue loss.
3. Guests/Discussion with impacted units
  1. Recommendation from Lucy: throughout spring quarter, invite guests from student services to visit with SFAC to provide updates on services to students, financial impacts of COVID-19 (especially for revenue generating units). Student Health Services/CAPS would be available for our next meeting on April 17th.
  2. Lucy shares that the Health Center is an essential service, including CAPS. There were still counselors on campus, and students are still visiting the health center. The head of the health center would like to speak with SFAC about services that can be offered with the staff that they still have. She would like to brief SFAC and receive feedback.
  3. Chase adds that TAPS can also present how their operations and budget have been impacted.
    1. Elliot says in the chat. “if they’re using these fees (like opers) to pay student employees while out of work, I could get behind that. but if they aren’t telling us how they use them like they said I wouldn’t feel comfortable ”
  4. Chase asks if there are any other units the committee is interested in inviting?
    1. Fiona asks how the resource centers are operating with these changes? Lucy says that there are weekly check-ins with department directors about student employment and ways to keep them engaged. For example, the Cantu Center’s team had a retreat to go over office hours, communication, best practices, and teamwork. Most of these centers are doing virtual events, speakers, and drop-in hours. Everyone is trying to use remote formats to the extent possible. They are also aware of students’ issues, such as the impact of relocation of campus housing on students. Most units are trying to offer resources and use technology to keep engaged communities through the quarter.
  5. Elliot suggests Zoom office hours. Chase adds that we should keep communicating with the campus about student fees.
Adjournment
1. Brent will be sending out a new meeting poll later today.
2. Lucy reminds members that they can email her for any technology needs.
3. May motions to adjourn, second by Isaac. No objections, motion passes.

Next meeting: Friday, April 17th @ 2:30 pm (unless we change based on discussion today).