Ohio University’s General Fee Advisory Committee recommendations have not changed much since last year, with the Division of Student Affairs again ranking as the number one funding priority in front of Intercollegiate Athletics.
This year, the committee ranked the four major categories that make up the General Fee funding pool, with the Graduate College and OU Marching 110 prioritized as third and fourth, respectively.
The committee previously ranked eight categories, but this year, four units were either consolidated or moved off the General Fee. Campus Recreation was combined with Student Affairs, and Arts for Ohio, the Office for Diversity, Access and Equity and Parking and Transportation Services were moved to the General Fund, which is composed of tuition, fees and state funds.
The committee noted in its report that every student at OU benefits from Student Affairs and “continued cuts will result in diminishing (OU’s) competitiveness both for future students and employees.”
Student Affairs encompasses Baker University Center, Campus Recreation, Career Services and Counseling and Student Health Services, among other departments.
“In the past, (Student Affairs) has been fortunate where we can take some cuts and still maintain the same level of service,” said Student Senate President Jesse Neader, who is a member of the committee. “I think if (Student Affairs) has any more cuts it’s going to drastically affect how we do things at this university.”
The decision to place Student Affairs as number one above Intercollegiate Athletics came down to one vote, Neader said.
The committee’s report, released earlier this month, ranks four categories in order of importance for receiving funding from the university’s General Fee pool. The committee has 10 members, nine of whom are students appointed by either Student Senate or OU President Roderick McDavis.
Last year, the committee recommended Student Affairs receive the most money from the General Fee during this fiscal year, but McDavis prioritized Intercollegiate Athletics first. Student Affairs received the second-most amount of money from the General Fee.
“With the different cuts Student Affairs has taken in the past, I think it’s really important this year that it maintains its place as number one,” Neader said.
The committee also ranked the Graduate College and Marching 110 behind Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics last year.
Check The Post later this week for more updates on the committee’s report.
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