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What is an Instructionally Related Activity fee?
Instructionally Related Activities include the Student Research Conference, class trips, university athletic and performing arts events, and the student newspaper. They enrich the campus community and enhance the educational value of our degrees, but they aren’t covered by tuition or individual course fees. Instead, students support these activities by paying an “IRA Fee” each semester.
How much is the IRA fee now?
Currently each student pays $5.00 per semester to support Instructionally Related Activities. This results in a total budget of around $200,000 each academic year. Next year the fee will go to $15 a semester.
Who decides which programs to support?
Each year’s allocations are decided by the president, using recommendations developed by a committee of eight people: two faculty, two administrators, and four students, appointed by student government.
When is the last time the fee was raised?
The CSUDH IRA fee was established in 1979 at $5 per semester and has not increased since that time.
How does the IRA fee at Dominguez Hills compare to others?
The average IRA fee at CSU campuses is $229 per semester, with Humboldt assessing the highest IRA fee at $337 per semester followed by Sonoma at $274 per semester.
Why is the IRA fee not being brought to students as a referendum?
Each year’s funding requests are around three times the available funds. The student led committee often tries to give at least a little money wherever possible. As a result, programs like the University Art Gallery, Teatro Dominguez, Leadership, cultural studies, and the Toro Forensics & Black Theatre Program all get significantly less than they need. Additional support would bring programs like these to full strength, and encourage the creation of more.
If I’m just here to get a degree, then why should I care?
Instructionally Related Activities enhance the degree in a couple of important ways. First, by raising the campus profile and our institutional prestige, they give the university a better reputation that helps all graduates, even those who don’t participate. Just as important, the learning that results from these experiences – in teamwork, creativity, social engagement, and problem-solving – is especially valued by employers. Even commuter and part-time students benefit by participating in IRAs: they develop the skills they need to get hired sooner, and promoted faster.
How much would the fee go up?
If students approve this increase, then fees would go up to $25-35 per semester. The increase would be phased in over two years, one half at a time.
Will the higher IRA fees be covered by our financial aid award?
Yes, Instructionally Related Activity fees are covered by financial aid. They add to the “cost of instruction,” and so both the cost and aid go up by the same amount.
If we approve this, then how do we know the IRA fee won’t keep going up?
Proposed fees must go through a consultation or referendum process each time an increase is to take place.
Why is the Instructionally Related Activity fee not being brought to students as a referendum?
The CSU allows campus presidents to raise fees after consulting with students in either of two ways, a referendum in which all students are eligible to vote, or by “alternate consultation,” which takes longer. ASI leadership, administrators, and faculty are taking this extra time to meet with students and discuss the different options with them, to shape a more detailed recommendation to the president.