Fees are implemented only after careful scrutiny, and always in an effort to contribute to the betterment and general welfare of the campus community, as well as the individual students. In fact, the process of implementing fees consists of a detailed request form that outlines why a new or increased fee is necessary, and exactly how the funds will be utilized. In addition, part of the approval process required by our OSU Regents and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is to meet with various student organizations to explain and receive feedback on each potential new or increased fee. Interestingly, there are numerous fees that have been implemented and/or raised due to student-driven initiatives.
Students regularly enrolled in the University are assessed facility, health, and activity fees that entitle them to use the Student Union, the Colvin Physical Education Center, and the Health Clinic, and that provide support for student governance, organizations and programs. The activity fees provide partial support to such programs, services, and organizations as the Student Government Association, collegial student councils and related student organizations, Allied Arts, fine arts, athletics, intramural activities and sports clubs, minority student organizations,
and the Student Activities Office. User’s fees, other fund-raising activities, and, in some cases, membership dues provide the remaining support to make these positive, constructive, and meaningful programs and services available to all students.
The advising and assessment fee provides for skills assessment and evaluation of students' capabilities at various stages of their academic careers, and to get feedback from students regarding their course work. This fee also supports the commitment to academic advising within each college to create a collaborative decision-making framework which students can identify and realize their educational goals. The goal is to preserve personalized advising services, reduce the advisor/student ratio in high demand areas and to develop advising technology such as degree audit systems to support an increased graduation rate. Support is also provided to students with career development, employment and internship services including expanded interview opportunities, placement preparation, and other programs related to success after graduation.
The academic facilities fee funds renovation, maintenance, and construction of classroom and other academic facilities necessary to support contemporary instruction and the demands of growing enrollment.
The student facilities fee supports the continued upkeep and utility costs of the Colvin Center and the Student Union. This fee also funds a bond issue for the Colvin Center
renovations.
The academic excellence fee provides for new faculty positions and/or helps increase existing faculty salaries up to peer averages. In order for OSU to remain competitive and provide the best opportunities for growth and education for our students, it is imperative that we are able to recruit and retain outstanding faculty. Historically OSU faculty salaries have always been below our peer average. This trend became even more pronounced several years ago when higher education institutions in Oklahoma suffered multiple years of budget cuts in state appropriated funds. While OSU strives to have a moderate raise program each year, to make up the affects of those budget-cut years, we dedicate additional funds to improving faculty salaries above and beyond our annual raise program, as well as adding faculty to improve our student-faculty ratio.
The library automation & technology fee defray the cost of equipment, software, and other aspects related to operating the on-line computerized library service. This fee also protects student access to heavily-used electronic journals and on-demand information services despite escalating costs and the termination of services by outside library agencies.
The student union renovation fee is used for renovations and enhancement to the union. This fee will benefit students and the campus for many years to come. Over the past years, students and administrators have recognized that the "quality of life" facilities provided by the 54-year-old Student Union have become outdated and do not support the type of campus life that today's university students expect. Some examples include improvements to the following: availability of computer kiosks and wireless connectivity, food service seating space, product mix and service style of merchant shops, and mixes of quiet study and social lounge space. These renovations include considerations to infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural) as well as to accessibility and traffic flow within the building and improved merchant space.
The university technology infrastructure maintenance fee provides for the maintenance of existing facilities, and the expansion and development of central and collegiate facilities, software, and multimedia capabilities. This fee also supports the IT Infrastructure which is dedicated to covering increasing costs in multiple areas, including network and system infrastructure, hardware and software costs and communications. Priority is to upgrade system security in an effort to prohibit University computer networks from being susceptible to hackers.
Students are assessed a health services fee that includes a fee for comprehensive health and pharmacy services. Health and pharmacy services are available to students enrolled in six or fewer hours if the student chooses to pay the full fee.
The academic records maintenance fee provides for the basic graduation cost, the maintenance of the academic record system, and issuance of official transcripts.
The consumable materials per hour fee was implemented in Fall 2004 to eliminate approximately 540 special course fees that were charged in undergraduate courses. This fee replaces special individual course fees previously charged to students to cover costs incurred for special services, supplies, and/or equipment in courses most students are required to take at some point in their degree program (e.g. supply fees for lab science courses). These are costs not normally covered by general fees, tuition, or departmental operating budgets.
The student development fee is used to support student participation in orientation efforts which are linked to
recruitment and retention of freshman as well as transfer students. Development and leadership opportunities for minority students will also be provided by these resources. It is also used to support campus lifeto cover costs for the guest speaker series, Student Union programs. and Student Union Activities Board. The off-campus student organization initiatives such as Renter's Fair, Renter's Advisory Council, and the printing of a housing guide also receive an allocation from this fee.
The energy fee supports the rising utility costs projected for the academic buildings across campus.
The O’Collegian Fee supports the production and distribution of the newspaper, the Daily O’Collegian, which is an award-winning campus newspaper.
The parking & transit fee helps with maintenance and operations of the OSU Transportation Services.
The life safety & security fee provides for the assessment and continued implementation of campus safety measures that includes the “Code Red” emergency notification system to notify students and staff via voice mail, email or text messages should there be an emergency situation.
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