Written by: Hannah Field – News Editor
The Incidental Fee Committee held its seventh meeting on Monday, Feb. 12.
Otherwise known as the IFC, the group consists of nine members. Three of them were nominated by ASWOU President Hunter Hall, another three were nominated by Western’s President Jesse Peters and the last three were nominated in a general student election. During the meeting on Feb. 12, Hall acted as the chairman, where they discussed different topics relating to funding for the upcoming school year.
The first matter of business was the incidental fee charges for students.
The on-campus fee for students was $415 and the fee for off-campus and online students was $210. The committee debated between dropping the fee or keeping it as is but settled on keeping it as it is so funding remained the same for student clubs and other IFC-funded organizations. The summer charge was unchanged as well.
The IFC motioned to accept Abby’s House base budget request, including the Food Pantry, with unanimous approval from the committee.
The athletics department also received their base request with four positives and one abstain due to a conflict of interest. Campus Recreation, Access or ODS Services, Childcare, Computer Replacement and Creative Arts all were granted what they asked for.
Extraordinary Travel received their base request of zero dollars.
Student Engagement Operations, Leadership Inclusion and Activities, Student Activities Board, Student Media and Wolfride all received their base requests — meaning all boards received their base request, as granted by the IFC.
In regards to budget enhancements, Hall confirmed that all enhancements, so far, have been decided upon by the IFC — but has been clear that final decisions have not been made.
“But as far as we’re concerned right now, (they’re all) being approved, but it could still be changed,” said Hall. “I believe the fee will probably stay where it’s at, just because we’re up in enrollment for the first time in a while.”
The expected effects won’t be seen until the budgets are implemented in the Fall of 2024, but the funding increase will likely encourage student employment and generate more events on campus.
Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu.
