Students at Fresno State could be asked to pay more for the services that could help them graduate sooner. University officials are considering an increase to the "Student Success Fee," which pays for services such as those offered in the student union and through health services.
"We do already pay a lot of money. I feel like the tuition that we pay should already cover a lot of that stuff," says student Lindsey Schaffran.
Currently, about 15 percent of students graduate in four years, says Fresno State President Joseph Castro. He'd like to see them graduate faster, but do that, the University needs added resources.
"Tutoring services, stronger advising services, supplemental instruction--those things we have confidence will make a difference," Castro says.
He says a possible extra $100 dollars per student to the Student Success Fee would be an investment if it means helping students graduate faster. Currently, students pay $815 on top of tuition for extra services.
"If it's going to help us out, help us students out, then I think it would be a good investment," says Emiliano Espinoza, a student.
Student body president Moses Menchaca says he wants to make sure students have the chance to weigh in on what services should receive extra funding.
"Where I am concerned is--are students going to have oversight over that allocation and make sure that we hold them accountable to make sure those fees are allocated where it said it's going to be allocated?" Menchaca says.
In the next two months, the university is expecting to have a specific proposal, Castro says. From there, university officials will ask for student input through forums and other surveys.
Nine of the 23 CSU campuses, including Fresno State, already have Student Success Fees, which are assessed differently at each university.
Fresno State's fees are much lower than most other campuses, where the average is $1,123 per year, according to Shirley Armbruster, associate vice president of communications at Fresno State.
In the next two months, the university is expecting to have a specific proposal, Castro says. From there, university officials will ask for student input through forums and other surveys.