MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bernie Goldstein	Chair, Administrative Representative
Crystal Shrouf	Student Representative
Courtney Pastrick	Student Representative
Joe Latulippe	Student Representative
Kalan Kirpinski	Student Representative
Andy Merrifield	Faculty Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mette Adams	Student Representative
Cristin Tuider	Staff Representative
Philip McGough	Faculty Representative
GUESTS PRESENT:
Corrie Robb	President Sonoma Student Union, Inc.
Sam Shamseldin	A.S. Representative to School of Natural Sciences
FACULTY PRESENT (during relevant fee proposal presentations)
Bill Crowley	Chair, Department of Geography
Marty Ruddell	Chair, Department of Education
Philip Northen	Chair, Department of Biology
STAFF PRESENT:
Katie Pierce	Academic Affairs Budget Officer

	MEETING AGENDA
I.	Introduction of New Members
	Approval of the Agenda
II.	Geography Course Fee Increase T.C. 6:15 PM - Prof. Crowley
III.	Education Course Fee Proposal T.C. 6:30 PM - Prof. Ruddell
IV.	Biology Course Fee T.C. 6:45 PM - Prof. Northen
V.	Extended Education Fee Schedule
VI.	FAC Fall Meeting Schedule
VII.	Future Meeting Topics

Packet #1

1. FAC Membership, 1 page;
2. FAC Charge, 2 pages;
3. CSU Student Fee Policy: CSU Executive Order No. 661, 3 pages;
4. Attachment 1 to E.O. 661, 1 page;
5. Attachment A to CSU BoT Meeting, 5/15/96, 3 pages;
6. Attachment 2 to E.O. 661, 6 pages;
7. Cal. Education Code Sec. 89230 - IRA, 1 page;
8. CCR, Sec. 3726.14, IRA Trust; 2 pages;
9. SSU Course Fee Policy, 2 pages;
10. SSU Trust Fund Agreement Form, 1 page;
11. SSU Approved Student Course Fees, 2 pages;
12. SSU Policy: FAC Referendum Activities, 1 page.

Packet #2

1. Geography 360 Course Fee Increase Proposal
2. Education RICA Review Course Fee Proposal
3. Extended Education Fee Report

I: INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Chair Bernie Goldstein brought the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.. Everyone present introduced themselves, stating their position on the Committee or their interest as a guest.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA It was Moved and Seconded, to adopt the Agenda. Andy Merrifield requested the agenda be amended to include a course fee proposal from Political Science. Katie Pierce confirmed that the proposal had been received in good order. Merrifield’s amendment was accepted and the agenda was Passed as amended.

II: GEOGRAPHY COURSE FEE INCREASE
In the interim before Dr. Crowley arrived for his time certain, Joe Latulippe wondered about what guidance or criteria new members of the Committee would have to assist them in judging the appropriateness of the course fee requests. Goldstein referred members to Executive Order 661, and further clarified that fees for supplies, expendible materials, transportation expenses are allowable. Pierce mentioned that often fees are charged for transportation and for tangible materials that will result in artworks or other products that sudents will retain after the course.

Bill Crowley directed attention to the proposal increase the course fee for Geography 360 from $6 to $10. The increase will provide for the expense of transportation on filed trips to local sites where students observe and learn about geomorphic features. Goldstein noted that student representatives to Social Sciences had indicated their support for the increase. Latulippe wondered what impact rejection of the increase would have. Crowley explained that there would be fewer field trips offered. He acknowledged hearing occasional suggestions that students could arrange their own transportation to field trips sites. He rejects that format as inefficient, potentially dangerous and, in the long run, no less costly for students. He stated that if fees collected exceed costs the difference would be returned to the students. Student members of the FAC noted that the fee is within the guidelines, targeted only for transportation expenses, and applicable only to students enrolled in the course. Merrifield supported the fee increase, noting that departmental operating budgets are about 60% less than they were a decade ago.

It was Moved Seconded and Passed unanimously to recommend the proposed fee increase for Geography 360.

III. EDUCATION COURSE FEE PROPOSAL
Marty Ruddell, Professor of Education took the floor to provide additional information about the School of Education’s proposal to institute a fee in support of a workshop-style review course for teaching credential candidates preparing for the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment exam. Passing the exam is a state-instituted requirement for individuals seeking a teaching credential in California. It is a high-stakes exam in that failure precludes candidates from getting a credential. Many candidates find it helpful to take a review course and other universities including CSUs have implemented workshops similar to this one-day workshop that School of Ed proposes. Ruddell explained that students are not required to take the review course; it is not a regular SSU course and is not offered for academic credit. Latulippe asked if there were other such courses available in Sonoma county. Ruddell was not aware of any. Merrifield wondered what percentage of students facing the exam would enroll in the review course. Ruddell said it would be difficult to predict but told him that workshops conducted on a trial basis here at SSU had been well attended and SSU students have a good "pass" rate on the RICA exam. Ruddell confirmed that any fees in excess of expenses would roll forward toward costs of future workshops. Merrifield said he supports insituting the fee so that the School of Education operating budget is not burdened with costs to provide this workshop since it is not an SSU course.
It was Moved Seconded and Passed unanimously to recommend the proposed fee for the RICA Exam review course.

IV. BIOLOGY COURSE FEE
When Philip Northen arrived copies of the Biology Course Fee Proposal were distributed. Sam Shamseldin distributed the results of a survey he conducted among students majoring in disciplines requiring Biology 220. Northen drew attention to the graph depicting adramatic increase in the cost of cadavers and further informed the group that the course fees cover only a portion of the costs of obtaining, storing, caring for, and disposal of the cadavers. He told the committee that until a few years ago other animals, cats for example, were used in disection lab exercises. When the course was revised to include the use of human cadavers, students and professors reported far greater satisfaction with the course. Northen invited students to take the course and observe first-hand the wonders of the human body. Northen commended Shamseldin for responding to the proposal on very short notice and for his thorough and responsible effort to discern students views of the proposed fee increase. Shamseldin summarized his written presentation, saying that students were generally supportive of the increase, prefering to pay additional fee rather than discontinue the use of cadavers. The exception were kinesiology students aspiring to be teachers; many of those students indicated that the course would meet their needs equally well without cadavers.

Merrifield indicated concern about adding to the financial burden of students who are required to take the course in order to meet requirements of their major. Robb observed that fees for required courses in the Nursing and Kinesiology majors are quite low, especially when compared with required fees for the Biology major. He further suggested that increased fees for Biology 220 might permit the School of Natural Sciences to reallocate available funds more broadly accross disciplines.
It was Moved Seconded and Passed unanimously to recommend the proposed fee increase for Biology 220.

V. EXTENDED EDUCATION FEE SCHEDULE
Pierce explained that CSU policies require that Extended Education Fees be reviewed by the campus Fee Advisory Committee. The schedule of fees for Fall ‘99 were presented. Merrifield requested that future presentations include notice of fees that have been changed since the last FAC review. The committee endorsed his suggestion and Goldstein said he would see that future presentations include that information.

Va. POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE FEE PROPOSAL
Merrifield distributed the proposal and informed the group that he would make a presentation and respond to questions in place of Dr. McNamara who will teach the course. Dr. McNamara’s teaching schedule conflicted with the FAC meeting time. Merrifield began by saying that Political Science majors who have taken the Model UN class speak of it as a highlight experience. Often former students come back to act as coaches and organizers because they enjoyed it so much. In the past students in the course have attended the regional Model UN forum, but in response to feedback from previous students, the Political Science department wishes to replace the regional meeting with the National meeting in New York City. The proposed $150 fee would not cover the full expense of the trip and participation, however the department and the School of Social Sciences will supplement funding and class-based fundraising activities will be held. Goldstein noted that student representatives expressed support for a $150 fee. Pierce asked if it was necessary for a group to apply to participate in the national event and Merrifield said that the application had already been filed and accepted.

Robb and Crystal Shrouf both spoke in favor of the fee. They believe students would benefit greatly from visiting the United Nations headquarters and participating at a national level. Robb also pointed out that, if the fee were adopted, Pol.Sci. 345 would be the only Political Science course with a fee and is not required for the major. Additionally, he pointed out that the dates of the national gathering fall very close to the dates that Project CENSORED will be involved with national events relating to the media also in New York. Students might be able to take advantage of the opportunity and attend both of the programs.

It was Moved and Seconded to recommend approval of the fee. With a motion on the floor Merrifield and Shrouf recused themselves from further discussion due to possible conflicts of interest. Motion Passed (Merrifield and Shrouf abstaining).

VI. FAC FALL MEETING SCHEDULE

Through discussion and concensus the committee agreed to meet on November 17 and December 8 at 6:00p.m. in the Provost’s conference room. Goldstein will have pizza delivered.

VII FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
Representatives of the Children’s School have asked to come before the committee regarding the reduction in their IRA funding allocation for 99/00. They will be scheduled for the November meeting.

Goldstein said the charge to the committee seems out-of-date and suggested that the committee review the document. The topic will be scheduled for November.

Student members of the committee expressed support for conducting a review of the IRA program in advance of the program review cycle typically scheduled in the spring. The topic will be on the December agenda.

IX: ADJOURNMENT
The Committee having completed its business, Goldstein adjourned the meeting at 7:45p.m.

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



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