Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee (SSETF)

Background

Effective AY 2012/13 and with approval from the Chancellor's Office, the campus implemented a new Category II Student Success fee that also included (bundled) the prior existing IRA fee and Course Support fees into one new, Student Success fee known as Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee (SSETF). The SSETF is authorized through the San José State University Fees policy.

SJSU's Priorities Supported by the SSETF

  1. Expand support for comprehensive student success services and improve pathways to graduation (e.g. access to high demand classes and labs; increase writing, math and tutorial services; enable career and professional development and alumni mentoring; implement a new integrative First Year Program; implement more high impact practices such as early-warning technology, enhanced advising and tutoring; support undergraduate and graduate research; increase service learning and community engagement opportunities; expand summer bridge; and enhance services for students with disabilities).

  2. Enhance support for effective academic technology initiatives (e.g., LMS, lecture capture, improve student access to state-of-the art software (e.g., adoption of digital media software such as Adobe), improve student access to academic technology hardware and devices including  e-readers, iPads, and increase utilization of multi-platform-based educational learning materials.

  3. Upgrade classrooms, laboratories, and other learning spaces (including virtual spaces) with the latest hardware and software to provide a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment for our students.

  4. Expand support to close the retention and graduation gap for Underrepresented Minority students (URM).

  5. Continue to support activities that are considered to be essential to a quality educational program and an important instructional experience for any student enrolled in the respective program may be considered instructionally related activities including co-curricular activities that enhance and support student engagement and retention.

  6. Continue to support Intercollegiate Athletics for costs that are necessary for a basic competitive program including equipment and supplies and scheduled travel.

Original Fee Proposal Materials

Fee Information by Fiscal Year

For a complete history of SSETF fee rates, please see:

Messages from the President and Interim VP

FY 15/16 SSETF Message from Interim VP

Dear Campus Community,

I’m writing with an update on plans for the Student Success and Excellence in Technology Fee (SSETF) in 2015-16.

Some of you will recall recent changes our campus made to “unbundle” the fee into three parts to more clearly and transparently convey how fees are structured and used to support students. As part of the unbundling process, President Qayoumi reduced the SSETF by $20 per term to $295 per semester.

Since the fee was unbundled and reduced in 2014, Associated Students (AS) has engaged in dialogue with students and campus leadership to solidify the fee rate. After much discussion, consultation and planning, no future increases are planned for any component of the unbundled student success fee with the exception of a provision that allows for a three percent annual inflation adjustment. The inflation adjustment for 2015/16 is $9 per term.

Here is a breakdown of the “unbundled” fees per term in 2015-16:

Course Support: $31.00
Instructionally Related Activities: $151.50
Student Success: $121.50
TOTAL SSETF: $304.00

The fee remains well below the amount authorized in 2012 by the CSU and is consistent with the sentiments of nearly sixty (60%) percent of students who, based on a survey of students commissioned by AS, supported keeping the fee stable or raising it to fund additional programs.

It is important to acknowledge that these fees impose an additional financial burden on students. At the same time, they make it possible to offer an array of programs valued by a majority of students, some of which make it possible for students to graduate sooner and thus save them money in the long run.

We have created a document with answers to basic questions about student success fees, and will provide details on submitting funding proposals soon.

Cordially,

Josee Larochelle
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

FY 14/15 SSETF Message from President

On May 15, 2014, President Mohammad H. Qayoumi announced a reduction of the Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee:

All,

San José State University, in consultation with elected student leaders, announced today fundamental changes to the Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee. With these changes, the university will sustain its commitment to all existing student support programs while implementing a fee reduction for the 2014-15 academic year.

This semester was a good time to re-consider this fee, which we introduced two years ago. We had very productive discussions with student leaders and we will continue to welcome input from the university community.

Here are the changes students should expect this fall:

  • The Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee will be “unbundled.” This means it will be split into three components: the Instructionally Related Activities Fee ($147), Course Support Fee ($30), and Student Success Fee ($118).
  • When combined, the total of the three fees will be $295 for Fall 2014, equivalent to the Fall 2013 rate and well below the $375 rate originally set for Fall 2014.
  • This change will clarify the purpose of each fee and facilitate comparisons with other CSU campuses.

Here is how the changes will impact programming and oversight:

  • Revenue from these fees will allow San Jose State to support all existing programs and several new proposals for 2014-15.
  • Athletics will continue to receive support through the Instructionally Related Activities Fee. This was the case previous to the introduction of the SSETF, which incorporated the IRA.
  • Associated Students, the Academic Senate and the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs will share oversight of these fees.

A few weeks ago, elected student leaders proposed holding a student poll to obtain feedback on the appropriate amounts for these fees. The administration voiced support for this approach. However, student leaders felt garnering sufficient student feedback was unrealistic at this point in the semester due to competing priorities such as final exams, graduation, employment, and housing.

Nicholas Ayala, Associated Students of SJSU president, shared with me that “Students have the right to know what their fees are paying for and unbundling the Student Success, Excellence and Technology Fee will improve this needed transparency. Our interest in the future of this fee is what is in the best interest of all San José State students. In order to make an informed recommendation, there must be adequate time for students to be educated and weigh in on this decision.”

Regards,

Mohammad Qayoumi
President