Fee Transparency Project

Present: Brynna Downey, Chloe Mietzel, Alvin Ho, Charlene Proo, Mathew Sarti, Gloria Qiu, Isaac Karth, Venkatesh Nagubandi, Lisa Bishop, Lydia Jenkins-Sleczkowski

Welcome and Introductions
1. Introductions and Brynna invites everyone to share what they are reading, watching, etc.
2. As there is no quorum yet, Brynna notes that most of today’s discussion outcomes will be motioned on Wednesday. Quorum is later reached at 3:19 pm.
Approval of Agenda and February 17 minutes
1. Isaac motions to approve the minutes, Alvinseconds. No objections, motion passes.
2. Mathew motions to approve the minutes, Isaac seconds. No objections, motion passes.
2019-2020 CARE Funding Modification Request
1. Lucy says that these funds were allocated last year but have not yet been used.
2. Isaac shares that he prefers to spend fees for the students who have paid them, but this is a reasonable request. Brynna agrees.
  1. Brynna asks if asking CARE if there are plans to spend the money sooner would align with this idea?
  2. Lucy says that it is clear that CARE anticipates hiring the position in the summer.
  3. Isaac suggests a guideline in the future to outline how similar requests will be vetted in the future. Lucy agrees. One way to go about this is to evaluate if similar requests have come in during this funding cycle. Brynna might be able to filter these requests.
3. Alvin and Brynna clarify how the reimbursement model works.
4. Mathew is leaning toward not approving the modification request.
5. Lucy notes that this was the highest funded proposal at last year’s funding call. Last year’s committee regarded this allocation very highly.
6. Gloria believes that the CARE office does important campus work and leans towards approving the modification.
7. Gloria motions to approve the funding modification, Venkatesh seconds. No objections, motion passes.
Summer fees draft email discussion (continued from Wednesday)
1. Lisa asks that the message have a deadline, Lisa will need SFAC’s recommendation by March 8.
2. Lucy says that a deadline by next Monday will be a quick turnaround. Student-governed groups would need additional time to discuss, and we are heading towards the end of the quarter. The message should also include information if stewards don’t respond. She advises against further impacting student groups and departments.
3. Lucy asks if there is any opposition to charging the regular amounts? Brynna responds that the committee was interested in hearing about service levels.
  1. Lucy suggests that SFAC recommends to the Chancellor that regular levels are charged, and can perform an analysis. Lisa says that this would not work given the methodology of summer fees.
4. Lucy recommends that these conversations could escalate given current landscape of fees. This could be a good year to recommend the regular fee levels.
5. Brynna advises tabling this until a future meeting.
6. Isaac motions to discuss announcements before funding proposal discussion, Alvin seconds.
Funding Proposal Discussion
1. Links
  1. Google folder
  2. Ranked Evaluation spreadsheet
  3. Running document of thoughts on proposals
2. Proposals
  1. #6, Renaissance Scholars Peer Mentor Program, $71,306
    1. Isaac notes that their minimum funding level comes up to almost $30,000.
    2. Mathew asks if funding for one year is alright? Brynna says that any allocations are acceptable.
      1. Isaac notes that the proposal says it is acceptable to fund the minimum of one year.
    3. Isaac motions to fund $23,699 for one year of funding for two peer mentors, one lead, and programming and supplies, Mathew seconds.
      1. Alvin objects, he would like to fund for only three peer mentors.
      2. Vote: 4 yes, 3 against
  2. #26, The College-Sponsored Writing Centers, $102,353
    1. Isaac comments that the minimum funding needed would be $50,420.
    2. Isaac says that the tutors help with writing skills, sentence structure, grammar, etc.
    3. Charlene says that it is a resource for writing, and can provide referrals for after hours. She knows people who benefit from the program. Charlene says this is an important resource to offer, and suggests at least funding supplies and student employees.
    4. Alvin motions to fund $48,660 for student employees and the program director, Charlene seconds. Mathew objects.
      1. Mathew asks if $26/hr is reasonable? Lucy says that funding units usually have salary ranges that departments interpret, based on UC policy or a bargaining contract. Brynna notes that SFAC shouldn’t try to reinterpret a program’s logistics. Mathew rescinds his objection.
      2. Motion passes.
  3. #19, Graduate Student Diversity, Wellness, and Retention, $240,987
  4. #22, Resource Centers Student Employees, $196,182
  5. #5, Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, $7,410.00
  6. #39, Creating Leadership Opportunities and Offering Skill Development to Deepen Enriching Learning Environments at LSS, $84,462
Announcements & Updates
1. Winter quarter weekend meeting time
  1. February 28th 2-4 pm has the most consistent availability
    1. This Sunday will be the first weekend meeting time. If you cannot make it, please note your thoughts on the running document.
  2. Second weekend meeting time?
2. Extending last 5 meetings by 30 minutes to 3-4:30pm
  1. Brynna notes that there are a significant number of proposals left to discuss.
  2. Majority of committee members can stay until 4:30 for all future winter quarter meetings.
Adjournment
1. Starting Wednesday, SFAC is meeting from 3-4:30 pm.
2. Charlene motions to adjourn, Isaac seconds. No objections, motion passes.

Upcoming Guests/Topics:

Director of Budget and Resource Management Kimberly Register
Review of 2021 proposed referenda - February 24th
TAPS Annual Budget Review
Funding Modifications to Right Livelihood College from 2019-2020