In compliance with SUNY Fee policy, broad-based fees are generally charged to the majority of students to finance discrete activities that benefit the student body, excluding any and all activities that could be considered to be part of the “Core Operations” mission of the campus that are funded by Direct and Indirect State Tax Support and Tuition dollars.
Broad-based fee revenue may be used for both salary and non-salary expenditures and any accumulated cash balances must conform to SUNY’s policy on financial reserves. Annual requests for adjustments to broad-based fee rates must follow the strictures put forth by the annual broad-based fee call letter released by the SUNY System Administration Office of Finance and Business. All broad-based fee rate increases must be approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees after consideration and endorsement by local stakeholder committees with student representation.
Rate increases have been proposed for the Student Health Services Fee and the Career Resource Fee, both of which will go into effect with the spring 2022 semester, if approved. Information regarding the associated programs covered by the fees is outlined below.
Feedback on broad-based fees is not only welcome, it is encouraged. If you wish to make a comment on any of our broad-based fees, please send your comments in the form below. We read all comments, but do not necessarily respond to each individual comment.
Student Health Services Fee
Paid by undergraduate and graduate students
Currently $200/semester with a proposed increase to $221/semester
The Health Fee covers all services rendered for health and counseling as well as health promotion and prevention.
· The Decker Student Health Center (DSHC) is a primary care facility delivering the similar type of care anyone would expect to get from their primary care physician at home including treatment of acute illness and injury (upper respiratory infections, sore throat, infections, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, fever and rash, sprains, lacerations, etc.). Services also include immunizations, flu clinics, laboratory services, as well as a dispensary for antibiotics and over-the-counter medications.
· The University Counseling Center offers mental health care through a brief therapy model that aims to provide support and guidance in managing and or coping with situational problem/s (i.e. stress management, self-esteem, multicultural concerns, relationship issues or adjustment concerns). In addition group counseling and same day urgent counseling sessions are available as well as services for tele-counseling, tele-psychiatry, treatment coordination and community referrals. CARE team case managers who are closely linked to the counseling center also support, advocate, refer and assist students in crisis or during stressful situations.
· Health Promotion and Prevention Services cultivates a health-conscious campus environment through education and in collaboration with student, campus and community partners around the dimensions of wellness (social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual, and physical).
On average, there are over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate student visits to Decker Student Health Center (DSHC) and the University Counseling Center (UCC) annually.
The proposed increase in needed to fund rising personnel expenses due to union negotiated salary increases and increasing minimum wage, as well as more staff positions already added to specifically support mental health care, counseling, and case management. In addition, it will support increasing non-personnel costs associated with after-hours care, technology and supplies.
Career Resource Fee
Paid by undergraduate students
Currently $13.50/semester with a proposed increase to $23.50/semester.
The Career Fee supports career resources that provide job, internship and career information and networking opportunities for undergraduate students. The Fleishman Center offers assistance to all undergraduate students in:
· exploring career paths
· gaining relevant experience
· preparing for a job or internship search
· applying to graduate or professional school
The staff of the Fleishman Center offers individual consultations for students as well as workshops, programs, alumni connections and a variety of software platforms to help students achieve their career goals. On average, the Fleishman Center career consulting sessions and programs have over 10,000 unique students participate in career counseling visits or programs annually.
This requested fee increase will support the escalating operational costs of software, licenses, and equipment needed to maintain the current technological resources for students as well as rising student staff costs due to increasing minimum wage.