Proposal to Consolidate Mandatory Student Fees
The Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health Center (SHC) programs are facing declining student fee revenues due to enrollment decline. To enhance program efficiency and financial resource management, the Division proposes merging three separate fees—Counseling and Psychological Services Fee, Student Health Fee, and Health Facilities Fee—into a single Student Health and Wellness Fee. This consolidation aims to provide financial flexibility, stabilize services in response to student needs, and eliminate outdated funding structures while having a net neutral impact on student fees. Given ongoing enrollment challenges and budget deficits, moving forward with this proposal is essential for optimizing resource utilization and better-supporting student health and wellness.
The revenue sources for the CAPS and SHC programs are primarily comprised of three Category II fees: the Counseling and Psychological Services Fee, the Student Health Fee, and the Health Facilities Fee. The Division of Student Affairs has implemented a model that integrates the CAPS and SHC departments into a single organizational unit to provide comprehensive mental and physical health services to students. The two programs now operate under the leadership of the Senior Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and the Student Health Center. However, the student fees that support these areas continue to be collected and utilized separately which limits financial flexibility and does not allow for cross-utilization of the funds to support all aspects of student health and wellness.
In order to maximize the financial resources and better support the students, it is recommended that the three fees be merged into one consolidated fee that can be utilized to support the CAPS and SHC operations holistically.
Below is a listing of the current fees:
- Student Health Fee
- Counseling and Psychological Fee
- Student Health Facilities Fee
These fees would be consolidated into one Category II mandatory student fee fund under a
proposed adjusted name:
- Student Health and Wellness Fee
It is recommended that this change take place through the Alternative Consultation Process which would include the following steps:
- The President shall inform the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) of her intent to begin alternative consultation on the proposal;
- Review the proposal and develop alternative consultation strategies with the SFAC and the Associated Students(SFAC);
- Implement the alternative consultation strategies and inform the Cabinet, Associated Students, Academic Senate and other campus constituents on the details of the proposal;
- Complete alternative consultation and summarize the results of the process;
- The SFAC will make a final recommendation to the President;
- The President will approve the adjustments to the fee structure;
- The adjusted fee structure will be implemented for the 2025-2026 academic year.
This change would allow the area to adapt to the evolving health and wellness needs of students. Eliminating barriers in terms of how the funds can be utilized will help the area use financial resources to meet priorities.
FY24/25 Fees/Semester | FY25/26 Fees/Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| CAPS Fee | $ 73 | $ - |
| SHC Fee | $ 183 | $ - |
| SHC Facilities Fee | $ 24 | $ - |
| Student Health and Wellness Fee | $ - | $ 280 |
| Total Fees / Semester | $ 280 | $ 280 |
*does not reflect annual CPI increases which will be applied to Category II fees per the approved 2001 Student Fee Referendum
Appendix I- List of Category II Fees
This fee was established by California Education Code and supported by student referendum. It supports the student body organization established to provide a variety of programs, services and organizations to enhance the student experience. Examples of these activities include Associated Students Productions (ASP) events, Student Government, Join Us Making Progress (JUMP), the Children's School, the Tutorial Center, and funding for many student clubs.
See Associated Students website for additional information.
This fee consolidated several previously charged miscellaneous administrative services and document related fees for such things as transcripts, diploma, initial I.D. card, and graduation.
This fee was enacted in response to a CSU Executive Order which requires a certain level of mental health services to be provided on the campus. The required basic services supported by this fee include: counseling/psychotherapy, suicide and personal violence services, emergency/crisis services, outreach, mental health consultation, and referral resources.
See CAPS website for additional information.
This fee exists under the authority of the California Education Code, with the current fee level supported by student referendum to specifically fund the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance and repair of the Student Health Center facility.
See Student Health Center website for additional information.
This fee was supported by student referendum and provides funding for programs related to instruction, such as Athletics, the Center for Performing Arts, the Library, and the Children’s School. Additionally, the IRA fee supports many other student activities, including various educational lecture series and the STAR student newspaper.
This fee exists under the authority of the California Education Code and was supported by student referendum to more reliably fund the availability, staffing, supplies and operation of the Student Health Center. This includes the availability of student access to basic health services such as outpatient primary medical care for illness and injury; health maintenance and preventive services; first aid; pharmacy, lab, and x-ray services; health education; campus public health services; medical disaster and disease outbreak response; and other health related functions.
See Student Health Center website for additional information.
This fee was supported by student referendum and supports the financing, construction, maintenance, student programming, and operation of student body facilities, such as the Student Center and the Recreation Center.
See Student Center and Recreation Center websites for additional information.
Pro Statement
The proposal to merge the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Fee, and the Health Facilities Fee into a single Student Health and Wellness Fee. With the ongoing decline of student enrollment and ongoing budget deficit this merger will enhance program efficiency, stabilize services, and optimize resource utilization, all without increasing student fees. Students will benefit from clearer transparency regarding how their fees are allocated, potentially leading to greater engagement with these essential services.
Currently, the revenue supporting CAPS and the Student Health Center is collected through three separate fees which is an outdated structure that limits financial flexibility, hinders the effective cross utilization of funds, and creates inefficient funding structure. By merging these fees, we can eliminate these constraints and streamline funding for both physical and mental health services.
Although CAPS and the Student Health Center already provide integrated services under one leadership structure, having separate funding sources continue to create challenges. A single fee structure will eliminate these barriers, allowing for better coordination and more efficient use of resources across both services. This proposal is designed to ensure the continued stability and enhancement of essential services without disrupting the quality or availability of care. In doing so, this proposal is a proactive measure that ensures sustainability of these essential services while supporting the overall health and wellness of our Seawolves.
Con Statement
Consolidating the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health Center (SHC) fees could undermine the autonomy each fee currently provides in supporting services for its specific areas. Both CAPS and the SHC have distinct service areas, and combining their fees may reduce financial resources for certain needs. Each program should maintain control over how its designated funds are allocated within its budget.
The fees for CAPS, SHC, and the Health Facilities each provide unique resources that enhance student health and wellness. Merging these fees would place all services under one umbrella, potentially compromising how we serve students. Furthermore, while the total fee may remain unchanged for students, combining these fees could impact access to other funding or grants. For instance, if CAPS currently receives external funding or services, a combined fee structure might make them ineligible for such opportunities in the future.
Additionally, under the Associated Students, the Alumni Association asks us to allocate grad pack funds to specific programs or services. Future students may be less likely to select CAPS if it now shares potential revenue with two other areas. Overall, combining these fees could create barriers that may limit resources and services across the three main fee categories.