In response to requests from various engineering student organizations for financial support, the Student Council endeavored to determine the degree of student interest in a self-imposed activity fee.  The funds generated by such a fee would be made available for and applied toward events sponsored by various engineering student organizations who would otherwise not have the financial resources necessary to conduct these events.  A poll was developed by the Student Council in order to obtain the opinions of the student body on this matter.

 

Over 70% of the students polled agreed a small activity fee was needed.  The Undergraduate Engineering Student Organizations and the students represented by these bodies proposed and requested the implementation of a $5 "Undergraduate Engineering Student Activity Fee" to be collected each semester through the University billing process.

 

The Student Council drafted a proposal to and held meetings with Dean Leonard Silverman to gain his support and approval of the fee.  With thorough details and sufficient data, the council convinced Dean Silverman that the fee will improve the quality of student life within the School of Engineering as well as assist in developing greater leadership skills within our students.

 

In a memo dated April 19, 1996 Dean Silverman agreed with the Student Council's proposal and requested approval from University Provost Lloyd Armstrong.  Dean Silverman noted how this fee would "enhance the ability for all engineering student organizations to implement, create and expand quality programs, projects and services."  Provost Armstrong approved the request on April 29, 1996.

 

After years of disseminating the funds in similar fashion, the Viterbi Student Council revisited the original recommendations of the '95 Student Council.  The original 1995 Proposal Elements suggested a "Student Activity Fee Referendum" every three years to determine the continuance or termination of the fee.  The Student Council agreed for the continuance of the fee, while the executive board raised the need for a new, smoother, more fair process to equally and justly allocate the funds among engineering students and their representative organizations.

 

At a special meeting of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the engineering student council in April 2005, the origins were built for a "Student Activity Fee Funding Board."  The Funding Board would allow the Student Council to focus less on allocation of funds and more on community building, leadership development, student advocacy, and school-wide activities.  The Funding Board and the Student Activity Fee Funding Policies are to be built in the Fall 2005 Semester.  The Funding Board was set to have 3-5 undergraduate students as members from different disciplines and academic standings.  One person will be appointed Funding Board Director, and in addition to maintaining the Funding Board will also sit as an executive member of the Viterbi Student Council.