SFAC Minutes

Monday, November 9, 2020

1:00-2:00 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Welcome

Co-Chair Juarez called the meeting to order at 1:02pm.

2. Approval of October 26 Minutes (Action)

Minutes unanimously approved with no changes.

3. Course Fees Expenditure Audit Subcommittee (Informational)

Avery informed the committee that she had sent an email to the committee just prior to the meeting with an outline of the scope of work that the course fees review subcommittee would be tasked with this year. The meeting schedule would be twice a month beginning mid-November and ending at the beginning of February. Avery asked for at least one staff/faculty member and one student member. Juarez and O’Brien volunteered. Avery and Dickson will staff this subcommittee. Others may join later, if they choose to.

4. New IRA Programs for 21/22 (Decision)                                       

The IRA Subcommittee recommends suspension of new program funding due to the following reasons:

1. Financial uncertainty around headcount and further anticipated reductions in 21/22. Adding to the financial insecurity is the fact that the  Consumer Price Index has been significantly lower.
2. The needs of existing programs. SFAC is asked to consider if ensuring existing programs are operating successfully is a priority over adding new programs that would serve to further dilute the pool of existing and future funds.
3. In October 2020, the SSU Cabinet requested an extensive review as to the needs of the four permanently funded programs and report back recommendations for future actions by the end of the 2020/21 academic year. SFAC should consider if adding programs to request funds is sound while a review of the largest portion of the IRA program in on-going.

Monje-Paulson clarified that the request to review the four permanently funded programs came in tandem with the approval for IRA programs this year. On Friday, November 6 she learned that Cabinet is not quite ready to charge this committee with such an extensive review at this time. Instead, SFAC will review the recommendations proposed by the Fee Review Task Force last Spring as the budget situation has changed since then and revisions to the original recommendations may be needed. We are waiting for more succinct direction from Cabinet regarding the assessment of the four permanently programs.

Juarez motioned to not fund new IRA programs for 21/22; Miller seconded. No further discussion. All approved, 0 opposed.

5. Additional Funding for 20/21 IRA Programs (Informational)

The IRA Subcommittee decided to move forward with additional funding requests. A brief survey was sent to those who already met COVD requirements for them to inform the IRA Subcommittee if they wished to be considered for additional funding or not. Existing programs may only request up to the amount they have already received. Brambila estimated she could give an updated report possibly by the December meeting.

6. Committee Goals for this year (Decision)
   1. IRA Funding Structure Review

Monje-Paulson suggested pushing this item to another meeting once we get further specifics from Cabinet.

2. Course Fees Assessment

This is the same as the Course Fees Review subcommittee that Avery referred to in item 3. Juarez and O’Brien volunteered to serve. Dickson and Avery will staff this subcommittee. Others may join later, if they choose to.

 Meeting was adjourned at 1:22pm.