ASUCC allocates activity fee for campus projects this year

The activity fee of $2 per credit that students pay every term along with tuition is expected to pool into a $93,000 fund this year.

Although about one-third of the $93,000 is a carryover from last year, this year’s fund is heavily allocated.

UTRANS, the Umpqua Transit bus transportation system used by many students to get to school, will be subsidized $15,000; $10,000 is earmarked for Project C.A.N.S to help provide food to students; $10,000 is being set aside to help implement a recycling program on campus.  According to Coester, the comprehensive recycling program will eventually be established in conjunction with matching funds from the college. Volleyball and basketball will also be supported.

Funds are also paying for the new textbook reserve program housed in the library. Students who cannot afford to purchase textbooks can check them out in the library.

Plans are also underway to implement a school supply program that will help new students with backpacks and supplies. Because students must wait 30 days to receive financial aid during their first term, getting the supplies they need while waiting on funds to be disbursed can be difficult. 

The money being held over from last year was originally expected to go toward softball and baseball. This money may be used for building renovation in the future, but no definite plans have been made.

“We don’t want to spend it on just anything,” said Coester. “We want to spend it on something that matters.”

Student government also plans to replace the furniture in the student lounge sometime in the near future.

The allocations are partially a result of a student survey conducted last year by ASUCC, the student government, to determine how best to use student fees while maintaining a commitment to both UTRANS and volleyball.

 Based on that survey, the fees were also put toward men’s and women’s basketball, leadership and club support, as well as other activities and projects.

 In the summer of 2005, UCC approved $1 of the fee to go to the student life office to pay for salaries, benefits, and supplies for things such as the quarterly new student orientation which provides lunch, folders with I.D cards and parking permits, UCC bookstore bucks, and other supplies.

Students wanting more information on their student government are welcome to attend the ASUCC meetings every Monday at noon in the library’s Moody room.

The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.