2012-13 Student Activity Fee allocations outlined

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) and the Student Activity Fee Board offered a look at how the fee is utilized with a summary report of 2012-13 from the committee chairman.

“It is my hope that this information provides you with greater insight on how your $85 per semester activity fee was used to enhance the experiences of you and your peers,” said UPAC outgoing Chairman Jesse Scott.

Scott is one of eight students serving on the University’s 13-member SAF board and analyzed allocations in three spending categories: standing, fixed and student organizations. The most recent data for fee allocations comes from 2012-13.

The fixed funding represents approximately 33 percent of the fee and is used for historical financial obligations approved by the SAF board. The fee originated in 1995 to serve as a funding source for renovation, completed in 1998, of the HUB-Robeson Center while also providing supplemental funds for student-centered programming. Current fixed allocations include supporting the construction of the Student Health Services Building (completed in 2008), providing undergraduate and graduate student governments with operating budgets, and maintaining a budget for Student Legal Services.

Standing (40 percent of the fee) and student organization (27 percent) funds are allocated by UPAC.  Standing funds support student programming with allocations to the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), Center for Performing Arts (CPA),Center for Women Students (CWS), Child Care Subsidy, LGBTA Student Resource Center (LGBTA SRC), Office of Student Activities (OSA), Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC), Recreational Sports, Student Programming Association (SPA), Homecoming and Movin’ On. 

“Most students are familiar with reduced student ticket prices for BJC concerts that happen throughout the year,” Scott said. “However, you may not be aware that SAF funds are also used by CPA to make cultural events and performing arts as affordable as possible for all students. The largest portion of standing allocations goes to SPA, which provides dozens of events each semester, including comedians, bands, the Noontime Concert Series, Distinguished Speaker Series and LateNight activities.”

In providing funds for student organizations, UPAC fielded 643 requests in 2012-13, supporting the likes of TEDxPSU, Touch of Africa, The Lion 90.7 FM, the Michigan State vs. Penn State blood drives, No Refund Theater, Pollock Pallooza, Quadzilla, Valley Magazine and The Phollegian.

For questions about UPAC, and information on requesting funds and serving as a member, email upac@psu.edu.