MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bernie Goldstein	Chair, Administrative Representative
Cara Puccio	Student Representative
Mette Adams (by phone)	Student Representative
Shannon Furr	Student Representative
Rebecca Schram	Student Representative
Pat Seda	Staff Representative
Karl Binswanger	Student Representative
Sue Parker	Faculty Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Steve Orlick	Faculty Representative
STAFF PRESENT:
Larry Furukawa-Schlereth	Committee Staff
Katie Pierce	Academic Affairs Budget Officer
GUESTS PRESENT:	Margaret Purser (for Fee Proposal Presentation)
	Letitia Coate, University Controller

	MEETING AGENDA
I.	Approval of the Agenda
II.	Approval of the Minutes
III.	Proposed Fee Action - Anthro 447
	Time Certain 5:45 p.m.
IV.	Instructionally Related Activities Timeline
V.	Preliminary estimate of IRA Funds Available for Allocation p.
VI.	Status of ASI Proposal
VII.	Report from Subcommittee #1
VIII.	Items for the Good of the Order

	MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED WITH AGENDA PACKET
1.	Minutes of 3/9/99 Meeting
2.	Anthro 447 Course Fee Proposal
3.	Instructionally Related Activities Timeline
4.	Preliminary Estimate of IRA Funds Available

I:     APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Chair Bernie Goldstein brought the meeting to order at 5: 40 PM. Following brief discussion, agenda was modified to eliminate Item VII "Report from Subcommittee #1." it was Moved, Seconded, and Passed (MSP) unanimously to approve the agenda as modified.

II:     APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 2/23/99
It was MSP unanimously to approve the minutes as presented.

III.     PROPOSED FEE ACTION - ANTHROPOLOGY 447
Goldstein welcomed Margaret Purser, Professor from the Department of Anthropology. Purser referenced the written application that had been submitted. She further explained that the Anthropology Department offers two Ethnobotany courses; Anthro 337 Readings in Ethnobotany which requires no lab or field work, and Anthro 447 - Ethnobotany Methods. Anthro 447, an elective course, provides the type of field experience more typically available through intensive summer field school format. Because of the diversity of ecosystems within driving distance of the SSU, it is possible to offer the course in a semester long series of weekly field trips. Throughout the course students collect plant specimens and construct an herbarium they they keep when the class is over. Purser indicated that professors had experimented with the idea of carpooling using student volunteer drivers and for several reasons it was not successful. Cara Puccio asked if the fee will be variable, noting the phrase "up to $26 per semester" in the application form. Purser explained that from one semester to another, the best locations for observing and collecting plants may vary. Each semester the professor will develop the course syllabus, calculate the mileage to sites on the itinerary and calculate the fee, which may in some semesters be less than $26.

Purser was thanked for her presentation and excused. In the brief discussion following Purser's remarks, the Committee noted that the application materials carried the signature of the Student Advisory Council Chair, clearly documenting that student consultation had occurred.

It was carried by consensus to recommend to President Armiñana that the fee be approved.

In a more general discussion of course fees, Puccio wondered if schools are aware of the timeline for bringing requests before the FAC in order to have approval in time for listing in the course schedule. Given that the schedule goes to print in April, this meeting or next meeting will be the last opportunities for action by the Committee. Concern was expressed that action on the pending issues, the towel fee and Art Department fees, may not be completed in time. Katie Pierce indicated that she would contact Martha Yates and the Art Department and inform them of the need to bring further information forward to the Committee at the next meeting. Larry Furukawa-Schlereth suggested that if FAC actions are pending when the schedule goes to print, it would be possible to footnote affected course listings to indicate that fees are under consideration and may be in place by registration. Sue Parker referred to a form in use by Social Sciences that may be of interest to FAC. She will bring it to the next meeting.

IV.     INSTRUCTIONALLY RELATED ACTIVITIES (IRA) TIMELINE
Goldstein drew the Committee's attention to page 12 of the agenda packet that listed three meeting dates for hearings, deliberations and decisions regarding the IRA Program. Both Puccio and Adams are scheduled to attend a student leadership conference on the dates suggested (April 24 and 25).

Several programs that were awarded three-year funding must apply for renewal this year. Furukawa-Schlereth explained in more detail the format suggested for conducting the hearings and deliberations. He recommends devoting a weekend to the process in order to provide sufficient time for applicants to make presentations (including about 20 minutes for presentation and 20 minutes for question and answer period) and for the FAC to deliberate and make decisions while the presentations are fresh in their minds. He said this format had been used in the past and committee members had been pleased with the process.

Goldstein spoke in favor of flexibility to allow participation by the maximum number of FAC members.

It was suggested that the process might be postponed until late in May or next fall. Furukawa-Schlereth informed that group that decisions must be made as soon as possible this spring so that applicants will know whether or not they have funding for programs next year.

With the goal of identifying the date(s) that would permit the attendance of the greatest number of FAC members, various dates and times were discussed at length. May 1 and 2 were selected. Time at the previously scheduled May 4 meeting will be devoted to discussion of the IRA Program if needed.

V.     PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF IRA FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION
Furukawa-Schlereth directed attention to page 13 of the agenda packet showing a preliminary of estimate of revenues, costs and amount available for allocation. He cautioned the Committee that the figures are based on an estimated enrollment. Adams asked for clarification about the risk management fee cost. Furukawa-Schlereth explained that the fee when IRA sponsored programs have employees risk management fees associated with employment must be funded. Fees are based upon payroll costs.

Furukawa-Schlereth then presented the listing of Currently Funded IRA Programs (page 14). Adams questioned the heading "Permanent Base Allocations", stating her view that the original referendum language specified neither percentage or dollar amount of guaranteed funding. Furukawa-Schlereth said that President Armiñana has indicated to the three programs that their allocations would be stable. He further briefed the committee on what might be expected as the process proceeds; three currently unfunded programs that have been approved for IRA funding may come forward with proposals; other programs will apply for eligibility approval. Applications to become eligible for IRA funding are due April 16. Deans and Student Union leaders have been alerted to the deadline. The FAC has flexibility regarding awards, but Furukawa-Schlereth cautions that many current awardees are on-going programs that rely on IRA funding and on the program-planning ability that comes with a multi-year award.

It was clarified that Sonoma Mandala, now Zaum, is SSU's annual poetry and literary publication. Detour Sonoma is a video magazine

VI.     STATUS OF ASI PROPOSAL
President Armiñana has signed Goldstein's letter regarding FAC's acceptance of ASI's proposal, thereby indicating his approval for the FAC Subcommittee #1 to proceed with analysis of the proposal.

The Committee acknowledged the need for swift action at every step in order to meet the deadline for distribution of the voter pamphlet by May 29. Puccio reported that Subcommittee #1 reported that it had been executing its charge rapidly with the intention of submitting materials to President Armiñana on March 18.

VIII.     ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Members of Subcommittee #2 agreed to meet briefly after adjournment to discuss how to proceed if President Armiñana should approve the work of Subcommittee #1 and authorize the fee referendum.

IX:     ADJOURNMENT
The Committee having completed its business, it was MSP unanimously to adjourn the meeting and Goldstein adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Katie Pierce, Academic Affairs Budget Officer




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