SFAC advises chancellor on fee allocation, focuses on mental health
By Rupan Bharanidaran
Jan. 5, 2016 7:43 a.m.
A little-known committee comprising 12 UCLA students and faculty members presents Chancellor Gene Block with recommendations on how to allocate about $2 million in student fees.
What is SFAC?
The Student Fee Advisory Committee, also known as SFAC, is a student majority committee that recommends how some funds from the Student Services Fee should be used.
The University of California Board of Regents dictates the Student Services Fee, which covers non-academic student services and student programs such as psychological services or recreation. This year, each student pays $1,020, bringing UCLA a revenue of more than $35 million.
SFAC consists of four undergraduate students appointed by the Undergraduate Students Association Council, and four graduate students appointed by the Graduate Students Association. The committee also includes three administrative representatives and a faculty representative.
How much money does the committee control?
Most of the money, around $33 million, is already set for certain entities, including UCLA operating expenses, student affairs and different departments, said Rebecca Lee-Garcia, the committee’s nonvoting financial adviser. SFAC only makes recommendations to the chancellor about how to allocate the remaining $2 million to student groups that apply for funding.
What are some trends in funding allocation recommendations?
SFAC chair Erik Pena said mental health funding was a major concern for the committee.
“I think in recent years the committee has reached a consensus that student mental health is a priority and we make sure to recommend to fund it,” Pena said.
In June, the committee’s largest funding allocation recommendation, an amount of about $720,000, was for Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS.
When does the committee make its recommendations?
Beginning in October, the committee evaluates groups that received funding from SFAC in previous years based on reports they send to the committee, Pena said. The reports typically describe how much student impact the group had, which Pena said is measured through surveys, focus groups and usage, among other methods.
In December, organizations that wish to receive funding can begin the application process. The committee presents its recommendations to the chancellor in June, said Angela Yip, an undergraduate representative on the committee.
Pena said the committee decides which groups to recommend based on how many students they think the allocation can benefit.
Are most of the committee’s recommendations approved?
Pena said Block typically follows the committee’s recommendations, occasionally making modifications to the amount allocated. In Block’s August response to the committee’s recommendation, he allocated funding to create a sexual assault program the committee originally did not recommend, but approved most of the committee’s other recommendations.
How will the increase in enrollment affect funding?
Pena said next year’s enrollment increase will bring more funding through the Student Services Fee, but he thinks the funding will be used to accommodate the increased demand for services.
Are SFAC meetings open to the public?
While SFAC’s weekly meetings are open to the public, Pena, who has served on the committee since last year, has not seen a single student at their meetings. Their meeting locations and times can be found on their website.
Yip said the committee is looking to increase student awareness of itself through town hall events.
“Our fees are too high, so it’s important that students are aware that they have a say in how those fees are allocated,” she said. “(The committee’s) role is important in ensuring that the university is truly for students.”
