Funding for LCC student groups is under review
As reported earlier, spring term at Lane Community College will now be entirely online in response to COVID-19 restrictions, prompting a re-evaluation of student activity fees.
Student groups like the Psychology Club as well as student identity groups like the Black Student Union and the Native American Student Association rely on these fees to operate and support their members. However, with campus activities halted, this calls into question whether students should be paying these fees.
The Student Activity Fee Committee — at the direction of the administration — is set to meet, re-evaluate fees, and vote on distribution by April 3 in light of campus closures, according to chairperson Laney Baehler.
“It is my understanding that many of the fees that are placed on students each term are under review,” stated Athletic Director Greg Sheley. “I have no knowledge of what, and who, are making those final decisions.”
“The college has made some adjustments to student fees,” Provost and Executive Vice President Paul Jarrell stated in an email sent to staff. “We will communicate these out to students and employees as soon as all details are worked out with college finance, enrollment services, and ASLCCSG.” Notably, the SAFC — whose sole purpose is to allocate the fees to the college’s various groups — was not mentioned by Jarrell.
When asked for comment, SAFC advisor and Dean of Student Success Lida Herburger said on March 25 that she is “still trying to reach students so no meetings have yet happened. So there is no news to report at this time.”
The SAFC reached out to advisors and group leaders on March 26 asking for details on their respective operations in what appears to be the first step toward student fee re-evaluation. The committee will meet virtually on April 1 at 1 p.m. in order to begin the decision-making process.
“Hopefully a decision can be made in that meeting,” stated Baehler, “yet the rest of the week is open in case the committee needs more time.”
Of this unprecedented situation for both the SAFC and the LCC community as a whole, Baehler said, “With these uncertain circumstances it is important now more than ever to create a sense of normalcy.
As students, faculty and administration continue to adapt to the challenges of an online term, how and if certain groups and clubs can continue to function is under review. Maintaining resources and support — as much as possible — for students is paramount at this time. Baehler added, “Students are feeling more disconnected every day due to the new restrictions that are being placed on our daily lives, and I am concerned that by cutting down the fee, we will be contributing to students’ anxiety and isolation by discontinuing their sense of community.”To learn more about the committee and activity fee distribution process, check out the SAFC online.
