In Wednesday’s De Anza College Student Body Senate meeting ,a majority vote raised the DASB student body fee from $6 to $9 in the 2011-2012 school year.
The DASB Finance Committee recently proposed to raise the student body fee for the first time in 17 years. The senate projects $240,000 in revenue from the fee increase, allowing for more funding to be allocated to De Anza clubs and programs, including bringing back cut programs.
Last academic year, college programs have requested $1.5 million from the Senate, $500,000 more than their budget.
The extra funds generated from the fee increase may help improve programs such as the Tutorial Center, Outreach Program, Honors Program, food scholarships and a new transportation program.
Financial Committee chair Leo Nguyen said the funds could help fill a hole left by the cancellation of several flea market vendors due to construction. The vendors are a large source of DASB income. A projected $30,000 to $50,000 of income could be lost.
The fee increase will also provide a money reserve should another economic downturn come.
The possible improvement of various programs through the increase was met with mixed reactions. “I’m not against it,” biology major, Dhruti Contractor said. “It’s not a whole lot more money. It’s only three [more] dollars.”
According to the presentation given by Leo Nguyen, 461 students believed they were paying more for the DASB benefits, believing they were paying up to $20.36.
The increase will be voted on by the Board of Trustees on Nov. 1, in order to take effect next academic year.
