ITEM 122-2709-R0304

March 25-26, 2004

ITEM 122-2709-R0304: Authorization to Increase Mandatory Fees, Miscellaneous and Course Fees, and Auxiliary Fees for FY05; Montana State University-Billings

THAT: Consistent with an overall limit on the mandatory fee increase of 4%, as proposed in May 2003 and approved by student government, Montana State University-Billings requests authorization to implement the following mandatory fee increases effective FY 2005:

* A Computer Fee rebate of $28.70 is in effect for Spring 2004, Fall 2004, and Spring 2005. Full time Students will be assessed a net amount for computer fees of $9.30 per semester in AY 2005.

Montana State University-Billings also requests authorization to implement the following auxiliary, miscellaneous and course fee increases effective FY 2005:

The following miscellaneous fees will be eliminated. Montana State University-Billings requests authorization to eliminate these fees.

EXPLANATION: Computer Fee The Student Computer Fee provides student instructional technologies in computer labs and classrooms. The increase in the Student Computer Fee is needed to meet the increasing demands students place on technology applications and Internet access. The campus needs to expand the student instructional computing resources at an estimated 5-10% per year to provide quality technology training in preparation for employment in business and industry. This increase insures students have access to technology preparing them for the future workforce and provides opportunities for participation in community partnerships through technology sharing. This fee increase will somewhat mitigate these increased costs.

Recreational Activity Fee Services to students will be improved by expanding the number of activities and the hours of operation for recreational activities. A diversity of activities and times will provide more opportunities for traditional and nontraditional students to participate in activities. COT students will also be better served through expanded operations.

Health Services Fee This increase will ensure that both traditional and nontraditional students have access to affordable campus based health care. The campus residence halls hold a large non traditional population who are served by campus Health Services.

Equipment Fee The equipment fee is for instructional equipment. State of the art science lab equipment is essential for quality and safe learning experiences in the classroom. Industry specific equipment is mandatory to provide a quality education and prepare students for use of appropriate technology in the workplace.

Athletic Fee The campus has a growing number of resident student athletes. An increase in female student athletes is needed to match the campus demographics in enrollment which is 68% women.

Technology Replacement Fee The Technology Replacement Fee is used to provide the Student and Financial Administrative System (AIS), faculty and staff computing resources, and the campus technology infrastructure. An expanded infrastructure provides opportunities for peering the campus network infrastructure with business and industry to facilitate local and statewide data resource sharing, instructional access, and community participation. The network environment requires both internal and external protection to facilitate business and industry cooperation. The external network cost and bandwidth needs increase annually. The required hardware and software used for security protection increase in relation to the current and future threats. This fee increase will assist in alleviating these escalating demands and costs.

COT Building Fee - Parking at the MSU-Billings College of Technology is inadequate to accommodate current enrollment. Over the past two years enrollment at the COT has increased 30%. An increase in the COT building fee will be used to help fund maintenance and expansion of parking facilities. This is an important issue for COT students.

Housing Security Room Deposit The increase will improve management of housing resources through earlier notification of room availability. Students are currently able to cancel their room through mid-August with a full refund on their deposit. The date is now July 1^st allowing more timely notification to students waiting for a room reservation. The increase in the deposit amount will also help cover repair costs and thus produce cost efficiencies for the housing office.

Summer Conference Room Rates The summer conferencing rates are used to cover the following expenses: personnel, linen/supply costs, linen cleaning costs, printing costs and other miscellaneous expenses. The $1 increase in rates will still provide affordable housing for conference guests and will better cover operating expenses.

Motor Vehicle Registration Fee The parking fee increase will be used to increase maintenance of parking facilities. Accessible, safe, and properly maintained parking facilities are important to students and staff.

Bowling Course Fee This is a pass through fee that will be paid to the bowling facility.

Rappelling Course Fee This is a pass through fee that will be paid to rent rappelling and rock climbing gear for use in class.

First Aid Course Fee In order to provide a quality first aid course, students are supplied with consumable items for instructional use such as airways and gloves. Students also receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course. This fee will help offset the cost of consumable supplies and the cost of the certificates.

Science Lab Fees (Bio 261, Bio 273, Bio 350, Bio 371, Bio 373, Chem 371, Chem 473, Sci 102) The lab supplies used in these labs are expensive and this lab fee will offset the cost of consumable supplies.

Transcript Fee This fee has been $3 since 1975. Last year, Bozeman increased their fee to $5 per transcript. Billings would like to charge the same price. The cost to produce a transcript has increased in the form of higher staff wages and benefits, higher cost materials, and increased postage rates. Staff time has increased given the Banner conversion, the CAPP implementation, and the transfer articulation in Banner.

Late Registration Fee A late fee is charged to students who pay tuition and fees after the deadline for paying tuition and fees without a penalty. The increase in the fee should be an incentive for students to pay tuition and fees earlier to allow for more effective course management. Savings should accrue from the ability to consolidate course sections and hire fewer part time faculty because actual enrollment will be known at an earlier date.

E-Payment Fee This new fee will be assessed when a student initiates an e-payment. The fee will help subsidize the cost of credit card fees associated with payments of this nature. This will enable the campuses to provide the same level of payment service as private industry. Students and parents request this level of service to insure adequate access to campus services. This fee is being proposed by all of the MSU educational units.