Student Fee Review Board changes members

Graduate students now have one less spot on the Student Fee Review Board.

Members of the SFRB voted unanimously on Wednesday to change its composition from four undergraduate students and three graduates to five undergraduates and two graduates.

GPSA President and SFRB chair Katie Richardson said the board agreed to participate in mediation when members of the group could not agree on the change. She said it was the first time mediation was needed to iron out differences between ASUNM and GPSA.

“(ASUNM President Jaymie Roybal) and I were mutually committed from the beginning to come to an agreeable solution for both student populations,” she said. “When we were unable to come to a resolution on our own, we voluntarily sought mediation.”

The Vice President of Student Life office provided the mediation, Richardson said.

Richardson said despite the loss of graduate seats on the board, she thinks the change will be beneficial because GPSA representatives will still have a strong voice.

“I think it’s an improvement for GPSA, for ASUNM and for the campus and student organizations that will be served,” she said.

“I think this is a win-win-win. The representation … provides ASUNM the representation they need, but needing six out of seven votes (to increase or decrease student fees) protects the minority rights of GPSA.”

It currently takes a majority of four votes of the board to increase or decrease fees on the seven member board. The board unanimously voted to require six out of seven votes for a fee change.

Graduate students contribute about 22 percent of UNM’s student fees, and will make up roughly 28.5 percent of the board, down from the current 43 percent. The board’s chair position switches between an ASUNM or GPSA representative each year.

Roybal said SFRB is one of the ways student voices can be heard most strongly at the administrative level.

“I believe the Student Fee Review Board is one of the most important boards at UNM, as it allows students to have a voice in how their money is being spent,” she said. “I am looking forward to the process this year, and I hope to receive great input from undergraduate students as to where they feel their fees are best spent.”

The policy changes can be reviewed at the UNM website under policy 1310.