Fee Transparency Project

Present: Brynna Downey, Alvin Ho, Charlene Proo, Isaac Karth, Vivian Pham, Andy Huynh, Lisa Bishop, Lucy Rojas, Lydia Jenkins-Sleczkowski

Guests: Asia Valdivia, Yareni Segura, Duncan Ober, Hannah, Sierra Grindstaff, Erik Lafferty, Luisa Cardoza, Jessica Zubia, Kristen Lee, Elida Erickson, Deanna Seitz

Welcome and Introductions
1. Lydia provides an overview of the provided materials for the referenda presentations.
2. Lucy shares SFAC’s role in the referenda and elections process. SFAC will eventually provide an official statement that will be part of the ballot language. The statement will be of support, no support, or mixed feedback.
3. Discussion about recording the presentations so that missing committee members can review the information presented.
Approval of Agenda and February 22 minutes
1. Quorum is not reached by 3:17 pm
2021 Referenda Presentations with guests Asia Valdivia and referenda authors
1. Materials
2. KZSC Radio - 3:00 pm
  1. Yareni shares KZSC’s presentation.
  2. KZSC is a noncommercial educational radio station, one of three licensed ones in the area. It is majority student run and governed.
  3. KZSC is involved in events around campus and the community. It is run by students in volunteer positions.
  4. The fee would increase the amount of students and offer payment for their contributions to the station. Only 3.4% of students at KZSC are paid for their work.
  5. Erik shares that many students cannot make a commitment to the station and it disproportionately affects marginalized students to lack compensation for their work.
  6. KZSC expects paid staff to be able to put in more time to host more events, promotions, and programs for UCSC.
  7. Paid staff would be able to cultivate skills for media and journalism. This is an opportunity for student retention and experience for students interested in communications, journalism, or music.
  8. Alvin asks specifically how the fee would help hone skills? Yareni explains that payment for the students would go towards work they are already doing but not receiving compensation for. Sierra agrees with this. Many students work multiple jobs but are passionate about KZSC, but have to work additional jobs in order to have an income. Yareni adds that payroll helps with accountability as well.
  9. Brynna asks how the current 80,000 in fees is used at KZSC? Duncan says that they receive 20360 funds that support the full time FTE and utilities and grounds maintenance, and CUIP.
  10. Brynna asks if this will be brought to both undergraduate and graduate students, and if so grad student employees would be included? Yareni says that they have employed graduate students in the past, and voted in support on the opinion poll. Yareni adds that the station is open to all and can reach all students. LC adds that grad students have contributed greatly to KZSC news as well.
  11. Charlene asks how KZSC outreaches to students, and if any of the funding would support outreach. Erik responds that they table in the quads and to any space large enough. KZSC also has a strong social media presence.
  12. Lucy recommends that KZSC add a slide specifically regarding their budget during their outreach.
3. Sustainability Office - 3:30 pm
  1. Kristen and Jessica share that the measure was originally sunsetted in summer 2020. Measure 45 supported student jobs and opportunities.
  2. Last year did not have enough voter turnout to pass referenda, and the measure sunsetted. The office modified operations as a result: a new ambassador team was created, new collaborations, and transitioned student jobs to hourly. Some student staff were reduced significantly.
  3. Jessica shares that students gain valuable professional skills and experience.
  4. Kristen adds that the retreat sponsored by the office supports social justice discussion across campus partners.
  5. Kristen says that about 70% of the fee supported student staff, and has also paid for professional development and benefits.
  6. SFAC supported the extension during last year’s election cycle.
  7. Alvin notes for future presentations the distinction about the percentage of undergraduate students that voted last year and the percentage that voted in support of the fee.
  8. Charlene notes to speak to the college senates for outreach.
  9. Brynna asks if the authors had considered expanding to graduate students? Kristen says that they reached out to GSA representatives last year and graduate students indicated they did not want to pay the fee. Brynna notes that graduate students don’t necessarily pay student fees out of pocket. She adds that a different perspective could come from the different groups that could talk to. Kristen adds that this could be a possibility in future years.
4. Brynna asks how the group is feeling about the referenda?
  1. Isaac notes that the groups could operate at large capacity if the fees pass.
  2. Vivian notes that the authors are very passionate.
  3. Alvin is supportive.
  4. Andy partially supports.
  5. Lucy notes that the majority of the fees go back to students in the form of payroll.
Funding Proposal Discussion (tabled until Sunday)
1. Links
  1. Google folder
  2. Ranked Evaluation spreadsheet
  3. Fill out thoughts ahead of time: Running document
2. Proposals
  1. #19, Graduate Student Diversity, Wellness, and Retention, $240,987
  2. #22, Resource Centers Student Employees, $196,182
  3. #5, Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, $7,410.00
  4. #39, Creating Leadership Opportunities and Offering Skill Development to Deepen Enriching Learning Environments at LSS, $84,462
Announcements & Updates
1. Winter quarter weekend meeting - this Sunday, February 28th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
  1. Please respond on the Google calendar invite if you are going to attend.
Adjournment
1. Quorum is not met for this meeting.
2. Brynna suggests adjourning until the weekend.
3. Charlene suggests the group adjourn, Alvin agrees. The group adjourns until Sunday.

Upcoming Guests/Topics:

Funding modification request from Steve McKay
Director of Budget and Resource Management Kimberly Register
TAPS Annual Budget Review
Funding Modifications to Right Livelihood College from 2019-2020