MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Farish	Chair
Melinda Barnard	Faculty Representative
Martha Ruddell	Faculty Representative
Deborah Gallagher	Staff Representative
Jose Andrade	Student Representative
Douglas Dunbar	Student Representative
Stephanie Klyver	Student Representative
Tracy Terrill	Student Representative
STAFF PRESENT:
Larry Furukawa-Schlereth	Vice President for Administration and Finance
Dennis Harris	Special Assistant for Project Management
MEMBERS ABSENT:	None
GUESTS PRESENT:	Tim Tiemens, Director of Housing Rocky Rohwedder, Director, Fairfield-Osborne Preserve Peter Phillips, Director, Project Censored Katharyn Crabbe, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Graduate Studies

I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
II. PROPOSED INCREASE - HOUSING
III. IRA BOARD ACTIONS -- 1996-1997
IV. IRA ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
V. PROJECTION OF IRA REVENUE
VI. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS - EXISTING IRA PROGRAMS
VII. DISCUSSION OF NEW PROGRAM PROPOSALS
VIII. DEVELOPMENT OF 97-98 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION

I.Proposed Price Increase - Housing, Draft Resolution
Housing Operations Budget, 5/97 Projections
Housing Maintenance and Repair Budget, 5/97 Projections
Campus Housing Reserve Recommendations, CSU Student Housing Task Force
II. Base Budget Funding and Utilization of New Revenue
III. IRA Accountability Measures
IV. IRA Accountability Measures Review
V. Projection of IRA Budget
VI. Staff Recommendation - Existing Programs
VII. Available New Funds
VIII. Requests for Funding:

A. Fairfield Osborn Preserve, W. J. "Rocky" Rohwedder, Director
B. Project Censored, Peter Phillips, Director
C. Student Research Fund, Tracy Terrill and Katharyn Crabbe

I. Approval of the Agenda
Don Farish convened the meeting at 1:11 PM by asking for a motion to approve the Agenda. Marty Ruddell moved to approve the Agenda. A second was obtained from Doug Dunbar. Farish requested that Agenda Item #IX - Miscellaneous Course Fees - be added. With this addition, the Agenda was approved unanimously.

II. Proposed Increase - Housing
Larry Furukawa-Schlereth explained that the new Trustee policy which established the Fee Advisory Committee distinguishes between two types of fees: (1) optional user fees; and (2) mandatory fees. The policy requires that FAC must be made aware of changes in optional user fees, but optional user fees do not require either formal FAC support or a student referendum. In response to a question by Melinda Barnard, Farish elaborated, explaining that there are four sources of fee changes: (1) Trustee fees, which are set by the CSU Trustees; (2) Mandatory fees, which require a referendum; (3) Optional User fees, which are voluntary and "FAC must consider"; and (4) Penalty fees, imposed for such things as library fines and equipment breakage, which are similar to optional user fees in that they are not mandatory for all students. Schlereth added that it is the intent of the policy that some campus committee be made aware of all proposed changes in fees, whether mandatory or optional, which students might pay. User fees would include parking, housing, the catalog, and locker rental; the IRA fee is a mandatory fee.

Schlereth explained that since the proposed Housing increase (of 7% for 1997/8 and for future adjustments based upon the Higher Education Consumer Price Index) is a user fee, the CSU legal counsel had advised that no resolution was required from FAC. As a result, the Draft Resolution prepared for the meeting is no longer necessary. In response to a question from Ruddell, Tim Tiemens stated that the cost of a triple room is $5,000, a double $5,500, and a single $6,000. In response to a question from Dunbar, Tiemens stated that the students living in Housing had been informed of the proposed increase. The FAC acknowledged the proposed user fee policy in Housing; no objections to the proposal were raised duirng discussion of this issue.

III. IRA Board Actions -- 1996-1997
Schlereth reviewed the policies recommended to the President by the IRA Board in Spring 1996 and approved by him for implementation beginning 1996-1997. These included the establishment of general accountability measures applicable to all IRA-funded programs and specific accountability measures developed for each IRA program. The board established two levels of funding: (1) permanent funding at a fixed amount, for Athletics, the Center for Performing Arts, the Children's School, and the Library; and (2) three-year fixed funding for the remaining programs. The board also recommended that new funds go to new programs.

IV. IRA Accountability Measures
Dennis Harris briefly reviewed the general and specific accountability measures adopted by the President upon recommendation of the IRA Board last year (Attachment III). He then summarized the results of the Accountability Review conducted by Administrative Intern Andrea Todd. Problems were noted with the Library (whose Sunday hours differed from those in the specific accountability measure), MUN (which did not met the 45-student requirement), and the Mandala (only because the magazine has been renamed).

Barnard, noting that FAC had members like herself who had served on the IRA Board as well as individuals unfamiliar with the background and history of the IRA Board, emphasized that students and faculty had taken their IRA Board responsibilities quite seriously and worked hard to develop long-term policies regarding the use of IRA funds. There were "deep feelings about student input and about saving money to fund new programs." The board had tried not to play favorites and to give everyone a fair chance at funding. She also noted concerns about funding staff and faculty positions, where normal advancement and cost-of-living increases would increase expenditures. The policy recommended by the Board was designed in part to give an assured level of funding for programs like Athletics and CPA and their staff, while also freeing new funds for new programs. Tracy Terrill noted that there was only one more year of funding for the three-year-funded programs before they would have to be reviewed.

V. Projection of IRA Revenue -- 1997-1998
Schlereth reviewed the Projection of IRA Budget Revenue for 1997-1998 (Attachment V). Total Revenue of $1,439,515 is based upon a projected 1996/7 closing balance of $119,923 plus Student Fee Revenue for 5600 FTES of $1,320,800 and Interest income of $12,000, less a 1% or $13,208 allowance for bad debts. Existing commitments to continuing programs of $1,210,420 along with 6% administrative overhead of $79,248, leave a 1997/8 closing balance of $149,847 if no new programs were funded.

VI. Staff Recommendation - Existing IRA Programs
Harris presented the recommendations of Staff regarding funding and accountability of existing IRA Programs. Ruddell moved and Barnard seconded a motion to approve staff recommendations for existing IRA programs. The following Staff Recommendations were approved unanimously by the Committee:

A. Approve the On-Going Base Budgets of Athletics, the Center for Performing
Arts, the Children's School, and the Library at the levels specified by IRA
policy recommended in 1995-1996.
B. Approve the second year funding of the Three-Year Base Budgets of the Art
Gallery, Detour Sonoma, KSUN, Lacrossse, the Model United Nations, the
Sonoma Mandala, and Sonoma State Star at the levels specified by IRA
policy recommended in 1995-1996.
C. Change the award granted to the "Sonoma Mandala" to "SSU Literary
Magazine (Sonoma Mandala/Zaum)".
D. Change the Specific Accountability Measure for Athletics from "requirements
of the NCAA including men's football." to "requirements of the California
Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)."
E. Change the Specific Accountability Measure for the Library from "and 9 AM
until 6 PM on Sunday" to "and nine hours on Sunday".
F. Change the Specific Accountability Measure for the Model United Nations from
"Participation by a minimum of 45 SSU students in the annual Western Model
United Nations Conference" to "Participation by a minimum of 20 SSU students
in the annual Western Model United Nations Conference".

VII. Discussion of New Program Proposals

Barnard asked how these three proposals came before FAC. Schlereth stated that these proposals were initiated by the authors, since we did not expect new funds and did not solicit proposals. Farish noted that the bulk of the funds were locked in by previous commitments leaving only the possibility of one-time funding from the reserve. Schlereth stated that, as Staff to FAC, he strongly recommended that FAC not allocate beyond one-time grants in the absence of a continuing reserve.

Terrill asked whether it would be possible to send out requests in the Fall with grants awarded for Spring 1998 only. Douglas noted that this would give everyone a chance, but that he would prefer to send out an RFP now, meet during the Summer, and award grants for the entire year. Farish reminded members that FAC was dealing with unexpected, one-time reserves. The Fairfield Osborn proposal was a request for one-time funding. SSU is in the process of taking over the preserve from the Nature Conservancy. SSU will be obligated to carry out certain programs but can not accept the liability of substandard facilities at the preserve. Terrill asked whether it would be possible to use Deferred Maintenance funds to upgrade the preserve. Schlereth replied that the Campus Reengineering Committee would have to evaluate this against other deferred maintenance programs but could only do so once title to the preserve had actually been transferred to SSU. Peter Phillips noted that the Project Censored proposal was also for one-time funding.

Barnard noted that there were two issues to be decided: (1) whether to disperse the reserve funds today; and (2) the merits of the individual proposals before FAC. She also expressed some concern whether the Fairfield Osborn proposal was consistent with past practices. Farish noted that one of the consequences of taking no action today is that SSU would be unable to improve preserve facilities in order to carry on the program responsibilities. Ruddell asked whether there were groups who would feel "blindsided" should FAC act now. Schlereth noted that historically the IRA had never received a request for one-time funding. Also, there was precedent (KSUN) for designating a program as IRA-eligible and for funding it out of a normal application cycle.

Katharyn Crabbe suggested that FAC decide whether the three proposals were eligible for IRA funding first, then deal with the issue of whether they should be funded from the reserve now available. The committee agreed. Rocky Rohwhedder presented his proposal for one-time funding of the Fairfield Osborn Preserve and assured the committee members that he had "no plans to return for other funding" in the future. Barnard asked how improvements to the building for the caretaker met the IRA guidelines. Farish stated that the Nature Conservancy was not willing to continue management of the preserve or to make improvements. The donors of the land, who own an adjacent parcel, insist that these conditions are required by the gift of the property. Since SSU is unwilling to accept responsibility for the educational program without on-site management, the improvements must be made. Harris noted that the infrastructure improvements proposed are necessary both to security and to the educational mission which SSU would be conducting at the preserve. Ruddell stated she saw no problem with the use of funds since it is clearly appropriate for Athletics to purchase equipment in order to carry out its mission. In response to a question from Terrill, Schlereth stated that the precedent of using IRA funds for equipment and improvements was already established by the grants to both Athletics and CPA. When Barnard reminded members that IRA had turned down the Fitness Facility, Crabbe noted that it was not linked to an instructional program.

Peter Phillips then presented his proposal for one-time funding of Project Censored. Noting that the proposal called for the employment of a half-time Administrative Assistant/Intern Coordinator and a quarter-time Web Site Manager/Intern Trainer, Douglas asked how these two positions would be funded in future years. Phillips replied that the Project's request to FAC was part of an on-going development program which is expanding each year. Terrill asked when the budget included Benefits. Phillips responded that both positions were outside the Student Assistant classification, the staff would be employees of the Foundation. Schlereth noted that if the request were approved, all funds would have to flow to an IRA Trust Account rather than to a Foundation account. Phillips said that in the past these expenses had been paid out of one-time grants and previous fund raising.

Crabbe then introduced the proposal for a Student Research Fund developed jointly with Terrill. She noted that funds had once been available through Sonoma State Enterprises. She also noted that this was not a request for one-time funding, but rather seed money for an on-going program.

VIII. Development of 97-98 Budget Recommendation
Terrill moved and Ruddell seconded a motion to recommend all three proposals as eligible for IRA funding. The FAC unanimously recommended to the President that the Fairfield-Osborne Preserve, Project Censored, and the proposal for a Student Research Fund be approved as qualified to receive IRA funds.

Deborah Gallagher moved and Jose Andrade seconded a motion to approve one-time funding for the Fairfield Osborn Preserve. The FAC unanimously recommended to the President that a request from Rocky Rohwedder, Director, Fairfield Osborne Preserve, for $90,960 in one-time funding to construct a well, septic system, staff quarters, space heating system and flooring, lighting and equipment be approved for 1997-1998.

Gallagher moved and Ruddell seconded a motion to approve one-time funding for Project Censored. The FAC recommended to the President, by a vote of 3 ayes, 2 nyes, and 3 abstentions, that a request from Peter Phillips, Director, Project Censored, for $25,000 in one-time funding to fund a half-time Administrative Assistant/Intern Coordinator, a quarter-time Web Site Manager/Intern Trainer, along with travel, photocopying, and telephone expenses be approved for 1997-1998.

Ruddell moved to defer consideration of the Student Research Proposal. Crabbe asked to withdraw the proposal from consideration at this time. Upon her request, FAC took no action on the request for funding for the Student Research Fund, since the applicant withdrew her application.

IX. Miscellaneous Course Fees
Farish stated that he had received two inquiries about fees. The first, from Nursing, regarded a fee for processing supplemental applications, was not a formal proposal but merely a request for information about the nature of the process which would have to be followed. The second, from Geography, was a course fee of $150 for travel to the Pacific Coast Geographers Conference. Terrill noted that FAC would need to meet early in the Fall to review policy, emphasizing the importance of student review in both these areas.

X. Adjournment

There being no further business, Farish adjourned the meeting at 2:52 PM.



Minutes prepared by Dennis Harris
June 16, 1997



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