CSS fee revamped
Katherine Harding

It has been hailed by Assistant Vice President: Student Services David McMurray as "the first document of its kind ever developed in Canada."

On January 27 and 29, the particulars of the proposed Operating Agreement for the renewed Comprehensive Student Services Fee (CSS fee) were unveiled at "Town Hall/Open Forum" presentations.

After months of negotiations between the University, the WLU Students' Union (WLUSU), and Graduate Students Association (GSA), the triumvirate solicited public discussion on the Operating Agreement for the CSS fee.

The agreement's hallmark is that a 50/50 partnership will be established between the University and undergraduate and graduate students in the finances/funding, operations, and management of Student Services.

Student representatives will continue to make up 50% of the Student Services Advisory Council (SSAC), which serves as the steering group for Student Services.

The Student Service's Operating Agreement outlines that the SSAC will now have direct control over human resources, facilities, and finances.

The Athletic Complex's (A.C.) $2.5 million renovation project has also been incorporated into the agreement. Students will pay for half of the renovation and the money will be drawn from monies collected from the compulsory fee. The University is planning to secure the other half of the renovation cost through external donations.

The students' monetary contribution to the A.C. project will fall in line with the duration of the Operating Agreement, with fees not beginning until this September.

After the agreement expires in 2004, the entire deal will be re-negotiated.

Currently, full-time undergraduate students pay $110 per semester for the Comprehensive Student Services Fee. The new fee will see that figure rise to $130 per semester, which is an increase of $4 per half course.

Other highlights of the Operating Agreement for the renewed Comprehensive Student Services Fee include:

o Establishing a stable fee for a five year term (May 1999-April 2004)
o Free admission for WLU students to all regular season home intercollegiate games

o Student employment opportunities (Career Services, Athletics Student Leaders)

o Extended service by two additional nights to Counselling and Health Services

o Reserve/New Initiative fund potential with 100% student control over disbursement

Reaction to the fee

At the January 29 "Town Hall/Open Forum" presentation several questions were raised.

Jen Allchin, a fourth year business student, asked the presenters why students who don't use the A.C. still have to pay for its renovations.

"You could say that about any area of Students Services, not everyone utilizes the Chaplains services, but we still collectively pay for it,"

WLUSU President Gareth Cunningham responded. "This project will benefit the student body as a whole."

McMurray said that from an operational viewpoint it would be hard to manage who could use the A.C. if the money was collected through a user-basis process.

Director of Recreation, Facilities and Business Operations Peter Baxter added that, "There is no question that there will always be non-users but by improving the facility we are hoping to improve participation."

Baxter is hopeful the renovation project can be started this summer once the fee is approved.

Before the CSS fee is official it still has to be endorsed by WLUSU's Board, the Advisory Committee on Compulsory Ancillary Fees, and the University's Board of Governors.

University President Dr. Robert Rosehart, who attended the presentations, is pleased with the proposed fee.

"A lot of people have put a lot of hard work into this document," said Rosehart. "All the players involved should be congratulated."

"In reality we have teed up three key projects, The Schlegel Centre, the library, and the A.C., but we can only move on them as the money becomes available," he said. "This agreement makes starting on one of the projects viable… we can literally do it right away."

"It is a good deal for everybody and it is something that needs to be done," he added. "It will help expand programs and keep fees down."

Rosehart thinks that starting the A.C. renovation this summer may be overly optimistic but hopes it will begin in 2000.

The current comprehensive fee, which expires this April, was introduced as a measure to share costs on non-governmental grants, WLU expenses and to ensure that essential Student Services were not severely altered or replaced.

The fee also effectively eliminated a number of separate fees (including Health Services, Athletics, and the Dean of Students Office fees) and compounded them into an omnibus fee.

CSS fee facts

Services Covered by proposed CSS fee:

o Office of the Assistant Vice President Student Services/Dean of Students, Student Awards, Health Services, Counselling Services, Career Services, Athletics and Recreation, and Chaplains, all covered under previous fee, will continue to be covered.

o Additional Student Services covered under new fee: International Student Advisor, Special Needs, Discover Laurier, Off-Campus Housing Service, in addition to Housing and Residential Services, Food Services, and conference Services which have a zero net effect on the funding model.