Published 2012-10-23T20:08:00Z”/>
Katrina Cameron
Chico State student representatives are calling for a survey of student opinion on a proposed campus fee.
The Associated Students board of directors reviewed a letter Monday drafted by A.S. President Jaypinderpal Virdee that includes several recommendations for how the university should consult with students during the development of the Chico Compact for Student Success.
Chico State President Paul Zingg proposed the compact at the Sept. 24 A.S. board of directors meeting. The fee would focus on raising funds for areas of education collectively decided by students and faculty members.
The board of directors gathered suggestions for the letter at its Oct. 8 meeting. The drafted letter is a compilation of the ideas discussed at the meeting.
“It’s not my voice,” Virdee said of the letter. “It’s really a representation of the student voice.”
The board of directors recommends a monthly student poll to gain an equal representation of opinions from Chico State’s students, faculty and staff. The polling results would be presented to the Campus Fee Advisory Committee.
“I think it’s the best way to properly represent student opinions,” said Lindsey Siegel, A.S. director of university affairs.
A.S. wants to gain student opinion before taking a stance on the fee, Virdee said. A.S. is not currently for or against the fee.
“The biggest message of that letter is to ensure that students are represented throughout the entire process,” Virdee said. “I want students to be heard. It’s our responsibility to make sure the university takes that course of route.”
The drafted letter of suggestion also draws attention to focus groups, which can be used for people to express their opinions about the fee. The letter also suggests that town hall meetings about it.
“I really appreciate the fact that there are going to be student forums,” Siegel said. “It’s a very important way for students to become educated and voice their opinions.”
The focus groups should be marketed through methods such as campus announcements, student portals, social media and fliers, Virdee said.
Some university administrators were present for the discussion of the letter and provided their own suggestions about the letter and the fee.
“I think the basis of this letter is very good,” said Lori Hoffman, Chico State’s vice president for business and finance.
The drafted letter was originally only addressed to Zingg, but Hoffman suggested it also be addressed to the university’s administrators, including Belle Wei, the provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Drew Calandrella, the vice president for student affairs.
The letter recommends the university develop a website that includes information about the fee.
The website may be launched within two to three weeks, Virdee said.
The A.S. board of directors also recommends that the university clearly break down how the student success fee funds would be distributed for students throughout the campus. The drafted letter also asks for a comparison of how other California State University campuses use funds from the similar campus-related fees they implement.
All of this information should be available to the general public, Siegel said during the meeting.
A completed version of the letter may be an action item in about a month, Virdee said.
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<strong>Katrina Cameron can be reached at </strong><a href=”mailto:[email protected]”><em>[email protected]</em></a>
