Fee Transparency Project · UCSC SFAC Audit Subcommittee

Present: Marshall, Trey, Vir, Lucy, Cheryl, Lisa, Lyra, Angelina, Arielle, Laila, Mel, Nicholas, Aims, John, Rigo

Guests: Garrett Naiman, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students; David Shaw and Jacob Chaudry with Right Livelihood

[3:30 - 4:00] Consultation regarding campus based fee that fund the Student Volunteer Center
1. Summary: Large carryforward in the Campus Programs Fee. Dean of Students Garrett Naiman will give a presentation on the fee and proposed future activities regarding it.
2. Items:
3. Garrett’s Presentation
  1. Garrett is here to discuss the Campus Programs Fee which is part of the Dean of Students Office
  2. The fee was initially enacted in 1969. The fee was $3.50 per student per quarter and was reduced later when … (add notes here)
  3. About the Student Volunteer Center
    1. Connecting students to civic engagement, service opportunities, partnerships with local non-profits, experiential learning, building community and decompress.
  4. Current Financial and Operational Position
    1. High level of institutional knowledge and leadership of students were lost with the pandemic.
    2. Staffing capacity - trying to figure that out.
    3. The fee has acquired a carry forward
    4. Dean of Students has plans to build back SVC and its activities; building more capacity so there are staff to support the growth.
  5. Examples of of past SVC funding allocations in the past
    1. Paid student leadership positions
    2. Alternative spring break
    3. Pause for Paws
    4. Holiday Give Event
    5. Administrative and Marketing expenses for outreach events such as holiday meal drive - partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank.
    6. Volunteer Fair
    7. Maintained a database of volunteer opportunities in the community
  6. Carryforward
    1. Anticipate that we will have about $180,000 carry forward at the end of the fiscal year.
    2. Garrett asks SFAC for their thoughts on transferring the majority of these funds to SFAC for distribution of the funds in its funding call, in alignment with the spirit of the funds.
    3. Responsibility to put the funding back into the student life experience, given students have paid for these fees.
    4. Why? Responsible stewardship of student funds. Budgets are a moral document.
    5. SVC reset and they will have their permanent budget.
    6. SFAC has a strong reputation for financial stewardship.
  7. Questions and answers
    1. Can you share more about what happened in the pandemic? Garrett explains that the pandemic started off the reduction of activity. Then a position that he was planning to take up the build back was eliminated due to budget reduction. Garrett is shuffling around how work is done in the office.
    2. Question: terms and conditions of the funding. How much say would DOS want in how the funding is used? Garrett responds that this group makes very good decisions in its agency. Garrett mentions that Lucy has a long history with the program and can help answer questions. Garrett says this is a proposal of trust; a couple of reports would be nice.
    3. EMH would be a similar example of how we have a separate funding pool and additional questions for proposals. We could allocate the funds in the same manner.
    4. Question: did you come here on your own? Garrett said yes, he will use the current budget to build back the program; it’s the right thing to do to put the funds back into student experience.
    5. How are you building the outreach for this program? Garrett responds that currently there are two student leaders (Taylor and Mia).
    6. Garrett asks do you have ideas of activities that could be funded? Marshall says that Kresge Pride event would be an example
    7. When will SVC be up and running; Garrett says about two academic years to build back, create staffing plan, etc.
    8. Aims shows appreciation for Garrett and the work his colleagues do, as well as SFAC. The future for the center is compelling. The way in which people think about community engaged learning has changed. What hasn’t changed is that students need support; creating alliances and support requires funding. Important to adapt and keep the essence. SVC was welcomed into the Merrill Core Course. Students in Merrill 1 loved the volunteer fair.
    9. Discussion regarding how to apply the funds in next year’s call; excellent continuity with more than half of the group continuing next year.
[4:00 - 4:03] Welcome and Introductions
1. Members' introductions: Name, Pronouns, Year, Major, and Space.
2. Order: Cowell, Stevenson, Crown, Merrill, Kresge, Porter, Oakes, RCC, C9, JRL, Graduate Students, SAB, Provost, SUA, Lisa, Sezona, Lucy
[4:03 - 4:05] Approval of the Agenda and Minutes
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Approval of April 7th Minutes and April 14, 2026 Minutes
3. [pull the notes from the agenda]
4. Approved by unanimous consent.
[4:05 - 4:10] Public Comment
1. Arielle asks when we will do elections
[4:10 - 4:15] Announcements
1. Absentee comment form
2. Graduation Stoles
  1. Mock Ups
  2. Mel explains that there are a few mock ups to look at; please review. The idea is to make a batch purpose and then Lucy would have stoles embroidered with names, etc.
  3. Unanimous with the green with the white edge.
3. Cowell-Stevenson Garden (Pending)
  1. [add notes here]
  2. [etc.]
  3. Keep some of it (15%)....
  4. Lucy will follow up to make the request.
  5. Marshall moves to support this request and make an appeal to BAP to not sweep the funds. Passes by unanimous support.
4. New SUA proxy on SFAC
  1. Rigo says hello. Introduces himself; he is the SUA Chair and will be serving as proxy for Maya for the rest of the quarter. Please reach out with any questions.
SFAC Chair/Vice-Chair Reports
1. Chair
  1. Went to Miscellaneous and Course Fee Committee
  2. Went to Athletics and Recreation Reserve Fund Advisory Committee
    1. New projects on the way: pool resurfacing, jogging path, new sand pit at the Westside of campus.
  3. Met with SUA Chair for onboarding
2. Vice-Chair
  1. Happy Week 4!
  2. Take a look at the stole mock ups!
Subcommittee Reports
1. Audit
  1. TODO
2. Outreach
  1. Continuing Student Fee Summit Planning Monday May 11th 11am-3pm
    1. Mel is talking to Lucy about budget possibilities for the event today
[4:15 - 4:40] Discussion/Vote: TAPS: Discussion on Measure 73 Recommendation
1. Background: At the February 23rd SFAC meeting, Executive Director of TAPS, Dan Henderson visited with SFAC for the annual presentation that is required by Measure 73. Measure 73 states that each winter quarter, TAPS will present information to SFAC (ridership data, budget, etc.). After this presentation, the SFAC developed a recommendation for the chancellor related to whether the fee escalation that was voted in by students in Measure 73 should be implemented for the following year. For 2026-2027, the fee increase would be $3.00 per student per quarter, or a total of $9.00.
2. Summary: Finalizing goals we want TAPS to meet from last meeting's discussions. Previous goals will be amended based on responses from the Director of TAPS. These goals are intended to be finalized to give enough time to discuss with TAPS. Vote will be on approving the proposed goals and allowing SFAC leadership to start discussions with TAPS.
3. Items:
4. Vote: Initial proposed Measure 73 Recommendation
5. Discussion:
  1. Mel explains that we hold an advisory role, and the approach is that we will be holding TAPS to metrics that the group is defining.
  2. Suggests that the VEST Commission be part of the metrics. Student Voice is very important. VEST is launching next week with an official event.
  3. Vote:
    1. 11 - Yes
    2. 0 - No
    3. 0 - Abstain
[4:40 - 5:00] Right Livelihood Fee Discussion
1. Background: Right Livelihood responded to SFAC last week on changes to their fee. Then a few days later, they updated us that they will not be making any changes and plan to move forward.
2. Checking about the fee and asking for feedback; Right Livelihood is seeking support and endorsement. Mel explains that SFAC does not endorse proposed fees given its role in officially giving an opinion on fees.
[5:00] Adjournment

Upcoming Guests/Topics:

Tour of Kresge College Renovation Project: May 12th @ 3:30 (Meet at Kresge by parking lot 143/145, closest to R12 and R13). Must wear pants, and closed toe, hard toe shoes. Tennis shoes are ok, but hiking boots are better).

Meeting and Committee Member Resources:

SFAC Roster
Orientation Materials
Agendas and Minutes
Tracking Sheet for Campus Based Fees ongoing discussion
Google Folder
Summer 26 Fee Levels