Management of the Student Activity Fee
I. The Student Activity Fee
With the exception of revenue from events such as the Fall Ball and Spring Fling, all funds managed by the SBA are derived from the Student Activity Fee which is collected annually from the student body by the Law School. The SBA traditionally uses the student activity fee to fund student groups, subsidize the graduation party, host campus-wide barbecues, underwrite the Fall Ball and Spring Fling, and support other student activities and events.
In 2006/07, students paid a Student Activity Fee of $75 per semester. At the January 2007 meeting, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees approved an increase for 2007/08 to $79 per semester and for 2008/09 to $82 per semester.
The current student fee for 2010/11 is $82 per semester. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the SBA declined to request an additional increase during the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.
II. Guiding Principles in Funding Decisions
The SBA uses two methods to inform its budget decisions. It follows the Budget Guidelines (also referred to as the Spending Rules) which are published by the Budget Committee each year.
In addition, the SBA is bound by the following Funding Principles:
- The purpose of activities planned by student groups must be of general interest to the Law School student body;
- A goal of the activities planned by the student groups is to promote cordial and effective relations among students, faculty and administration of the Law School, and with the University at large, other law schools and the community; and
- Activities planned by student groups should encourage the expression and representation of student opinion on matters pertaining to the law, to the Law School and to the Student Bar Association.
III. Referendum Requirements
A referendum must be held every 4 years to determine whether control of the fund shall remain with the SBA or return to the President of the University (who would presumably delegate the management to the dean). Referenda were held in spring 2000, spring 2004 and spring 2008. The next referendum will be held in 2012. In order for the fiscal management to be retained by the SBA, such referendum shall require approval by the majority of at least forty percent of all students enrolled in the institution and paying activity fees.
