The Bismarck State College Student Government Association completes a multitude of tasks throughout the academic year. One of the most vital tasks is voting whether to approve changes to student fees for the following year.
Executive Vice President Rebecca Collins approaches SGA annually with changes to student fees. Collins takes into account the individual and organizational needs of those on campus and suggests increases or decreases. SGA then votes on the proposal.
“Just like how you and I have to look at our own checking accounts … the Executive VP does the same thing for the school,” SGA Adviser Catherine Brule said.
The budget this year features a few major increases. One is a 45 cent increase for the student activity fund. SGA says this increase is partly to address rising expenses with current events due to inflation; however, they do plan on hosting more events on campus next year.
“[The increase] really is to support all of the fun student activities on campus that you see here in the union or all around campus,” SGA President Ian Broxmeyer said.
Another major increase is for the technology fee, one that usually doesn’t see an increase from year to year. A $1.01 increase was suggested for the launch of a mobile app for students. This app would allow students to log-in to their Campus Connection and Blackboard accounts, along with other features. The app, which is already being used by two other North Dakota University System institutions, will replace Mystic Mobile–a social media app for BSC students that was discontinued by SGA last spring.
“In previous years [the technology fee] has stayed at $7 per credit, for several years. And, so, the fact that inflation is always happening and that hasn’t changed, is spectacular,” Brule said.
Only one area of the student fee budget was decreased. Money toward student organizations is being slashed by 15 cents. Broxmeyer says this is due to student organizations having money already in their savings. With student fees changing annually, SGA would have the ability to raise this fund back up in the future if needed.
All student fees are billed to full time and part time students at BSC. Student fees are broken down into “college fees,” which are controlled by campus administration, and “SGA fees,” which are regulated by SGA.
Students can find information regarding student fees on the BSC website under Tuition and Fees, or by emailing SGA at bsc.sga@bismarckstate.edu.
(Find on Page 3 of Mystician 84.6)