The increases, ranging from $27 to $32 a semester for the next five years, would augment funding for the JackPass, and help sustain the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF), Intercollegiate Athletics and 35 student-centered programs like the Marching Lumberjacks, Theatre Arts and the Osprey magazine.
The annual hikes would begin Fall 2011 and continue through 2015. They would be distributed so that the JackPass would receive a higher portion of the funds than it does currently. Athletics would receive a lower portion and other programs would receive the same amounts as currently.
Campus-wide meetings about the proposal are scheduled Monday, Oct. 25, 5-6 p.m., in the Recreation Room in the lower level of the J, and Tuesday, Oct. 26, noon-1 p.m., in the University Center South Lounge.
Feedback forms will be distributed at both meetings and comments can be posted at any time at http://www.humboldt.edu/budget/IRAFeeProposal.php, where a full description of the proposed restructuring is available.
Consultations are also scheduled at various dates throughout October with the Student Fee Advisory Committee, the IRA Committee, Associated Students, the HSU Academic Senate, the Parking and Transportation Committee, the IRA Funded Programs Group and the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee, its members, student athletes and coaches.
The JackPass enables students to ride regional public transportation with a student ID. Usage has grown dramatically in just three years, providing students with about 250,000 rides in 2007-08 versus 310,000 rides in 2009-10, a 24% percent jump. However, the JackPass share of IRA revenue rose only 7.3 percent during that period.
HEIF supports student-recommended initiatives that have included solar power projects and energy efficient lighting for Redwood Bowl.
The student-led IRA Committee aids 35 student programs, including the Lumberjack newspaper, various student conclaves, and KRFH campus radio.
IRA revenue also funds athletics, supplemented by ticket sales, donations and concessions income. Athletics has seven women’s teams and five men’s teams of 351 student athletes. Students who pay the fee can attend regular home games simply by showing their student ID for admission.
Inflation and increases in costs such as health care benefits have prevented fee revenue from keeping pace with IRA program costs. Similarly, JackPass funds are not keeping up with the growing costs assumed by bus companies for payroll and fuel.
IRA costs are also projected to rise for travel, printing, supplies, equipment, insurance and performing arts productions.
Many students will be eligible for financial aid to cover all or part of the increases if they are approved. The additional funding would be part of student financial aid packets, in consultation with the Financial Aid Office in the Student Business Services Building.