UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Student Fee Board has announced the establishment of a strategic planning committee with the aim of addressing three key areas by 2025.
The Commonwealth Campus and University Park Fee Boards are responsible for allocating funds to units or other allocating bodies in support of various activities, facilities, recreation and wellness services that enhance the out-of-class experience for students at Penn State. The funds distributed come from the student fee that University students pay each semester as part of the cost of attendance.
To better manage, use and sustain the fees collected, an executive council of student leadership, staff, and University leadership will provide guidance and lead task groups to advance three pivotal strategic initiatives:
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Creating Financial Stability for University Park Fee
Implement a budget model to responsibly manage funds and assets that impact all Penn State students, address revenue deficits and optimize the deployment of resources to benefit all students. -
Transforming Structure and Operations
Streamline processes and institute reforms to enhance the effectiveness and influence of the Student Fee Board. This includes identifying approaches to involve members and increase participation in decision-making, reducing administrative overhead and optimizing execution time.
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Rethinking Fee Board Steering Committee
Foster consistency, collaboration and unified decision-making across the University by centralizing operations among the University Park and Commonwealth Campus fee boards when appropriate.
Andrea Dowhower, interim vice president for Student Affairs; Barry Bram, interim senior director for special projects in Student Affairs; and Najee Rodriguez, 2023-24 University Park Fee Board chair, will serve as planning leads.
The committee and task force groups are expected to develop recommendations for each strategic initiative. An executive council of student leadership and staff are tasked with providing recommendations, feedback and endorsement throughout the process.
“The launch of the Strategic Planning Committee represents an important stride in reshaping the student experience at Penn State,” said Rodriquez. “I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to be a part of this initiative and I firmly believe that the collective outcomes of our efforts will help craft a Student Fee Board that embodies excellence and accountability.”
Both University Park and Commonwealth Campus Student Fee Boards review allocation requests from various administrative entities. The University Park Fee Board also reviews requests from the University Park Allocating Committee (UPAC). Each board is comprised of voting members representing student governments and at-large members selected through an application process.