MINUTES
STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE BOARD MEETING
Friday, November 9, 2007 @ 3:30 PM
233 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park
SAF BOARD ATTENDANCE
Gail Hurley, Interim Vice President Student Affairs
Stan Latta, Assistant Vice President Housing & Food Services/Residence Life
Dwayne Hilton, Director of Student Affairs, Penn State Hazleton
Chris Rizzo, Director of Student Affairs, Penn State Beaver (via phone)
Hillary Lewis, UPUA President
Bobby Casiano, CCSG President
Joseph Gyekis, GSA President
Edward Newell, SGA Treasurer, CCSG Representative
Nicholas Borsuk, CCSG Representative, SGA President
Azeem Khan, CCSG Representative
Paul Russ, UPUA Representative
Visitors:
Judy Albin, Co-interim Senior Director, Student Activities & Union
Galen Chelko, UPAC Staff Assistant
ABSENT
Jay Arcuri, Assistant Director Student Activities & Union
Dan Green, UPAC Chair
William Diehl, GSA Faculty Senate Delegate
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BOARD MEMBER EDUCATION
History was provided regarding the role of the Student Activity Fee Board. In 1996, the
President appointed guidelines to be created to oversee the integrity of the Board at all campuses.
The original Board consisted of students, faculty and staff. The main functions of the Board
were:
1) to set good policies that provided continuity,
2) make recommendations to the President for how much the fee should be,
3) listen to appeals from allocation teams to determine if appeal should take place and make
recommendations
4) look at and analyze how fees are being used at all campuses.
The Board makes recommendations to campuses and allocation teams for appropriate ways to
meet campus needs. Over the years, changes have been made to some policies, more people
have been added, and the importance to have oversight for the use of the fees has been stressed.
The fees support activities for campuses and the Board ensures the integrity of the fee.
Discussion followed.
There is no protocol on how to conduct business with the current board. The majority of seats on
the Board are held by students. They should recognize the importance of the fee and their roles
on the Board. Policies and rules recognize that they are congruent with student organizations. It
is very important that everyone on the SAF Board will make a significant impact on how
successful the qualities of programs are at all campuses.
Stan Latta discussed the SAF Board handbook and provided information as all Board members
reviewed their handbooks. The SAF handbook is approved by the President of the University
and the Office of Risk Management. All students pay a fee. The guidelines and limitations are
set to ensure all funds be used to enrich and enhance the out of class room experience.
Jay Arcuri has been working with the IT Department to generate the 2006-2007 SAF Final
Report. Upon completion, copies will be distributed to all Board members for review.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT
The budget for the Student Activity Fee is out of sync with the Penn State Budget cycle. We
need to begin thinking about what campuses will need for 2009-2010. Increased tuition,
increased IT fee, and increased activity fee all fall together within the percentage that the
President allows.
ENSURING CONSISTENCY
Before SAF, all campuses received an allocation from general funds to assist with activities. All
general funds were used to support SGA to give to clubs/organizations.
Funding Allocation Board was created to ensure funding decisions related to on-going University
Park campus events. Programs such as Childcare, Rec Sports, ticket subsidies for BJC and CPA,
Late Night Penn State and the Distinguished Speaker Series. With the formation of Center for
Student Activities & Programming and Student Programming Association, Late Night Penn State
and Distinguished Speaker Series were incorporated within the center. There was never a
guarantee that monies requested would be funded. The thought was FAB would provide more
consistency and regularity from year to year.
What is the relationship between SAF, UPAC, and FAB? It was discussed that the FAB Chair
should have a seat on the SAF Board. SAF will invite Ellery Loomis to the next meeting. The
SAF will consider a permanent seat when the direction of FAB is finalized. Joe Gyekis, GSA
President, would like graduate student voices to be heard on FAB.
NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Topics that Stan will be reviewing and will be discussing at the next SAF Board meeting
scheduled for Friday, November 30, 2007 are as follows:
1) The relationship of FAB, UPAC, and SAF: Dan Green (UPAC) and Ellery Loomis
(FAB) will be present to address questions
2) Use of general funds at campuses to make SGA’s whole
3) Should it be dollar for dollar or should it be a percentage?
4) What money should be bound by restrictions?
5) What is the current SAF budget projected for in 2008-2009?
6) What is most effective and efficient way to allocate these funds?
MEETING DATES
November 30, 2007
January 25, 2008
February 29, 2008
April 11, 2008
*All meetings are from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm in Room 233 HUB-Robeson Center