MEMBERS PRESENT:

Bernie Goldstein, Chair	Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Eric Carlson	Student Representative
Philip McGough	Faculty Representative
Crystal Shrouf	Student Representative
Paul Regner	Student Representative
Libby Bessman	Student Representative
Andy Merrifield	Faculty Representative

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Callen Kurpinsky

Student Representative

GUESTS PRESENT DURING PROPOSAL PRESENTATION:

Amanda Hilty	Associated Students Production, Chair
Laura Mapes	JUMP Program, Chair
Jeff Woods	JUMP Program, Chair
Adam Coaster	Student Union Board of Directors, Member

STAFF PRESENT:

Katie Pierce, Committee Staff

Academic Affairs Budget Officer

MEETING AGENDA

I. Approval of the Agenda

II. Approval of the Minutes of 12/7/00

III. Proposal for CPI Fee Referendum

IV. Review Spring '01 Agenda Topics

V. Other

VI. Adjourn

MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED

Pre-circulated: Minutes of 12/7/00

At the Meeting:

1. Proposal for CPI Referendum

2. Spring'01 Agenda Topics

Chair Bernie Goldstein brought the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. when a quorum had assembled. Pizza and beverages were served.

I. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Andy Merrifield requested addition of an agenda topic; Problems with Accounting Office's administration and distribution of funds. Phil McGough requested addition of a topic; Proposal to revise faculty representatives to FAC. It was Moved and Seconded and Passed (unanimously), to adopt the Agenda with the addition of the two topics.

Eric Carlson informed the group that residential housing fees are subject to FAC review because they are Category III user-based fees.

Carlson introduced Libby Bessman. She will be replacing Jamie Holian as Associated Students representative to FAC.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Correction to the second paragraph of Section IV replaces "fee increases" with "fine increases". Also in Section IV, Carlson requested clarification of the paragraph which reports Larry Furukawa-Schlereth to have said that revenue increases resulting from higher fines for parking violations would likely be directed to Alternative Transportation Program. Carlson remembered him saying revenue definitely would be so directed. It was agreed to table approval of the minutes until Furukawa-Schlereth is present to provide clarification.

III. PROPOSAL FOR CPI FEE REFERENDUM

Goldstein welcomed guests who attended to present and support the proposal for fee referendum. Committee members and guests introduced themselves. Amanda Hilty thanked the FAC for the opportunity to present and referred members to the written proposal (incorporated herein) that she distributed. She explained that as costs increase programs and services that are funded by revenue from fixed fees loose their spending power over time. This proposal recommends that several student fees, Associated Students Fee, Consolidates Services Fee, Facilities Fee, IRA Fees, Student Health Fee and the Student Union Fee, be reviewed and adjusted annually in comparison with the Greater Bay Area Consumer Price Index. Hilty drew attention to Section IV of the Proposal which explains the methodology for the review and illustrates a projected increase of $13 based on the 2000 CPI.

Carlson wondered if the Student Union debt service would be funded through this increase. Jeff Woods replied that the proposal was not formulated to exclude any specific use of the funds generated through fees. Limiting fee increases only to operating expenses had been considered but determined to be impractical.

Through discussion it was clarified that this proposal is unrelated to the Student Recreation Center Fee which passed through referendum last semester. That fee was adopted with a provision for CPI increase.

McGough said it is important to make sure that the total fees to students did not exceed the amount authorized through Chancellor's Office Executive Orders. He pointed out that new and increased fees would, within a few years, cause total fees to approach 50% of the amount of tuition. Goldstein indicated that, when FAC appointed Subcommittees to review the proposal, Subcommittee A would be charged to examine this element of the proposal.

Through discussion is was further clarified that the proposal is being put forward by an ad hoc group of students acting in the interest of fee-funded groups and programs. The proposal was not formally endorsed by Associated Students or other organizations and programs with a stake in it. Woods did note that the proposal had been discussed at Associated Students Board meeting where support for it was expressed.

There being no further questions for the presenters, they were excused.

It was Moved and Seconded to establish subcommittees in accordance with University policy. Merrifield spoke against moving forward with subcommittees until it has been determined that approval of the proposal would not cause total fees to exceed limits set under Executive Order 661. The motion was amended to authorize subcommittees to proceed with their work only after such a determination. Amendment to the motion was accepted and the motion Passed (unanimously).

Members were assigned to Subcommittees as follows:

Subcommittee A	Subcommittee B
Paul Regner, Chair	Eric Carlson, Chair
Libby Bessman	Crystal Shrouf
Andy Merrifield	Callen Kurpinsky
Bernie Goldstein	Phil McGough

Noting that the "con" argument for the fee referendum held last semester had been criticized as weak and insubstantial, Carlson indicated that he would, as a student citizen, not as a member of the FAC, be willing to write either or both the pro and con arguments for this proposal. Goldstein expressed his concern about that suggestion, thinking it may compromise the integrity of the arguments and the FAC.

It was noted that Dr. Link, Vice President for Student Services has offered a staff member from his division to assist Subcommittee B in its work.

IV. REVIEW SPRING '01 AGENDA TOPICS

Katie Pierce presented a schedule of spring FAC meetings with suggested topics listed for each meeting. By concensus the committee endorsed the schedule noting that items cuold be added as the semester progresses.

It was requested that the new schedule of housing fees be placed on the agenda at a future meeting. Pierce will consult with Furukawa-Schlereth to get the topic on an agenda in a timely manner.

V. OTHER - 1) PROBLEMS WITH ACCOUNTING SERVICES AND POLICY

Merrifield reminded the committee of the Model United Nations (MUN) program, funded through IRA fees. He expressed his outrage at the extremely unsupportive service that the faculty organizer and Political Science Department personnel have experienced from the Accounting and Financial Services. Citing new policies, Accounting was unwilling to release funds to secure travel and hotel reservations for the MUN group that will travel to New York later this semester. It is unclear whether the policies are SSU or Systemwide policies. Merrifield is concerned that the faculty member will have to be out-of-pocket personally to guarantee travel arrangements. He shared his opinion that since this is a student program for which students have paid their IRA fees and tuition fees at registration and supported with fundraising efforts, there should not be delays and restrictions that jeopardize continuation of this program.

Merrifield will write a memo to Vice President Furukawa-Schlereth requesting that he explain and address the matter. Shrouf said she and other students had also experienced poor service from Accounting and she indicated that it is unacceptable for accounting difficulties to put at risk a program that students highly value.

OTHER 2) FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES TO FAC

McGough informed the group that representation on the FAC is traditionally assigned to the Chair and the Past Chair of the Academic Senate.. McGough recommends that, beginning next year, it be Chair and Chair-elect.. After discussion the FAC expressed no objection to McGough asking the Academic Senate to make that change in representation.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Goldstein adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,

Katie Pierce, Academic Affairs Budget Officer