Fee Proposal Guidelines
Campus fee proposals can be submitted by any member of the Cal Poly community including, faculty, staff and students through the appropriate Vice President who will serve as the Sponsor. All campus fee proposals must be reviewed as outlined by the CSU Chancellor’s Office detailed in Executive Order (EO) 1102. This includes:
- Establishment of new fees
- Increase to existing fees
- Decrease of existing fees
- Elimination of existing fees
Understanding Fee Types
As outlined in Executive Order (EO) 1102, the California State University Fee Policy defines fee into categories:
-
Category I - Systemwide Mandatory Fees
Systemwide mandatory tuition and other fees that must be paid to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university, or to pay the full cost of instruction required of some students by statute.
Fee Category |
I |
Fee Type |
Systemwide Mandatory Fees |
Examples |
Application fees, enrollment fees, tuition fees |
Authority |
Board of Trustees |
Steps |
|
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Category II - Campus Mandatory Fees
Campus mandatory fees that must be paid to enroll in or attend the university.
Fee Category |
II |
Fee Type |
*Campus Mandatory Fees |
Examples |
University Union, ASI, IRA |
Authority |
Chancellor establishes fees. Campus Level: President has oversight and may adjust or eliminate fees. |
Steps |
- Budget (provide support for financial statement information gathering)
- Fee Recommender develops and defines fee proposal
- Fee Recommender sends endorsement memo and supporting documents to Program Owner
- Program Owner reviews. If in support, sends endorsement memo to appropriate Divisional Vice President
- Divisional Vice President reviews. If in support, sends endorsement memo to University President.
- University President reviews and sends formal communication seeking CFAC recommendation also communicates with System Office
- CFAC will meet to discuss fee proposal and make recommendation regarding method for carrying out a plan for alternative consultation or fee referendum
|
*This is a lengthy process which involves feedback from the campus community therefore may take an entire academic year to complete.
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Category III - Course Fees
Fees associated with state-supported courses. Specifically, for materials and services used in concert with the basic foundation of an academic course offering.
Fee Category |
III |
Fee Type |
Course Fees |
Examples |
Materials and services related to State supported program courses |
Authority |
Chancellor authorizes a dollar range for fees.
$0-$150 Course fees $0-$3,000 Field trips
Campus Level: Campus president approval in range, Chancellor’s Office for out-of-range
|
Steps |
- Budget (provide support for financial statement information gathering)
- Fee Recommender develops and defines fee proposal
- Fee Recommender sends endorsement memo and supporting documents to Program Owner
- Program Owner reviews. If in support, sends endorsement memo to appropriate Divisional Vice President
- Divisional Vice President reviews. If in support, sends endorsement memo to University President
- University President reviews and sends formal communication seeking CFAC recommendation also communicates with System Office
- CFAC will meet to discuss fee proposal and make recommendation to the President
|
-
Category IV - Fees Other than Category II/III
Fees, other than Category II or III fees, paid to receive materials, services, or for the use of facilities provided by the university; and fees or deposits to reimburse the university for additional costs resulting from dishonored payments, late submissions, or misuse of property or as a security or guaranty.
Fee Category |
IV |
Fee Type |
Fees Other than Category II/III |
Examples |
Late submission, graduation fees, transfer orientation |
Authority |
|
Steps |
- Senior Vice President for Adminstration & Finance review and recommendation to University President
- Presidential decision (approve/deny)
- Notification/advisory only to CFAC
|
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Category V - Self-Support Program
Fees paid to self-support programs such as extended education, Cal State Online extended education offerings, parking and housing including materials and services fees, user fees, fines, and deposits. Self-support programs are defined as those not receiving state general fund appropriations; instead, fees are collected to pay the full cost of a program. Costs of self-support instructional programs include support and development of the academic quality of the university.
Fee Category |
V |
Fee Type |
Self-Support Program |
Examples |
Housing, Parking, Extended Education |
Authority |
|
Steps |
- Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance review and recommendation to University President
- Presidential decision (approve/deny)
- Notification/advisory only to CFAC
|
-
Category VI - Systemwide voluntary fees.
Fee Category |
VI |
Fee Type |
Systemwide Voluntary fees |
Examples |
Statewide Student Involvement and Representation Fee (SIRF) |
Authority |
Board of Trustees |
Steps |
|
Fee Proposal Review
All fee proposals are reviewed by the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance/ CFO and the Associate Vice President for Financial Services. Category II fees will require activation of the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) in order to make a recommendation to the campus President.