Mandatory Minnesota State student activity fees could be no more

Activity fees can put a noticeable dent in a collegian’s budget throughout the course of a full school year.

“Students in Minnesota are struggling to pay student fees, which are growing to hundreds of dollars. I don’t think it’s fair,” Rep. Drew Christensen (R-Savage) told the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee Tuesday.

He sponsors HF2198, which would prohibit Minnesota State institutions from imposing mandatory fees that fund non-instructional student programs, activities, groups or services. It would not prohibit mandatory fees that are directly related to academic, administrative or health services.

The bill would also request the University of Minnesota to adopt a policy implementing the prohibition. Because of the university’s constitutional autonomy, the state cannot require it to adhere to the potential change.

Mike Dean, executive director of the Minnesota State College Student Association, testifies against HF2198. Sponsored by Rep. Drew Christensen, left, it would make student fees at the state’s colleges and universities optional. Photo by Paul Battaglia

However, as a punitive measure, if the Board of Regents later imposed a mandatory fee violating the prohibition, an amount equal to the net revenue generated by the fee would be reduced from the university's base appropriation in the first year of the next biennium.

The committee held the bill over for possible omnibus bill inclusion. It has no Senate companion.

Often associated with sports, student activity fees have historically been used to pay the costs of equipment, coaches and facility upgrades.

“Much of this money goes toward extracurricular activities,” Christensen said. “We all recognize the value of these activities, but some of these budgets are approaching a half a million a year; it’s quite a bit beyond pizza money.”

A wealth of testifiers brought forth concerns as to whether eliminating student fees could potentially quell certain student programs or eliminate student staff positions.

“These fees benefit everyone on campus.” said Mike Dean, executive director of the Minnesota State College Student Association. “Student fees are the lifeblood of our campus community.”