The Office of Finance and Administration at Idaho State University has put forward a proposal for a 4.51 percent student fee increase that could take affect during the 2013-2014 school year.
ASISU President Matt Bloxham and Vice President Anjel Zamora have been in numerous meetings regarding the budget and fee increase proposals during the last few weeks.
A 4.51 percent increase would mean a dollar amount of approximately a $137 increase of current fees for full-time resident tuition.
“As of right now, the increases are only proposals and nothing final has been decided,” noted Bloxham. “It is not a final fee increase for the students.”
“4.5 percent, I think, is a reasonable increase. I think that the administration does act often with the students’ best interests in mind. They understand that their entire cost of the university shouldn’t be put on the backs of the students, so I commend them for that,” continued Bloxham. “On the other hand, we are students, we are poor and we don’t want any increase whatsoever. So, for us, we want a zero percent increase, we don’t want to see any increase at all.”
Bloxham reasoned that federal appropriated funds for the university are going down while costs are going up and this fee increase is meant to at least somewhat mitigate those costs.  He gave the example of the university looking at $400 million in deferred maintenance on facilities.
“4.5 percent is actually fairly low compared to other universities and compared to how we’ve done it in the past here at ISU,” explained Zamora. “I know last year [the increase] was the lowest in like, 10 years, and so this is, again, lower than that. I feel like that’s the right step because we don’t want to be increasing so much.”
Bloxham added that they are currently aimed directly at a fee increase of 4 percent or lower and that their stance is “as low as possible.”
During closed Special Budget Consultation Committee (SBCC) meetings held last week and early this week, a more definite set of numbers was determined and a recommendation will be made to the State Board of Education in April. No changes in the budget will be made until changes are approved by the State Board of Education.
Due to publishing date discrepancies of “The Bengal,” details of any decisions and conclusions made at the meetings will be released at a later date.
Open meetings were also held Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 28, at noon in the Little Wood River Room of the Pond Student Union Building (PSUB). These meetings were open to students. No students were present at the Tuesday meeting, however the Wednesday meeting reportedly included various ASISU student government representatives who attended to represent the students.
SBCC meetings are closed meetings comprised of constituent groups. ISU is represented by Bloxham, Zamora and Finance Officer Aaron McCabe.
“[ISU] is the only university in the state that has student representation,” said Zamora. “We’re actually very well represented and we make [every effort] to be at as many of those meetings as we can.”
“We really try to keep [ISU] students in mind when we’re at these meetings,” explained Zamora.
If students wish to get involved, ask questions or give their input regarding the budget proposals they are welcome to attend regular finance meetings as well as open-forum line item meetings that will be held Wednesday, March 6; Thursday, March 7; and Friday, March 8. All meetings will be held in the Clearwater Room of the Pond Student Union Building and will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Bloxham also recommended students contact local legislators to let them know directly how fee increases impact and affect them.
In addition, Bloxham and Zamora encouraged students to contact them regarding these issues as well so they may relay student input to the board.
“Our doors are always open,” said Zamora.
Bloxham and Zamora said if an increase is approved between 4 and 4.5 percent it will be the lowest fee increase in 15 years.