SIFC reviews CAPS, Student Health Services budget proposals

Last night, in the wake of a Monday meeting reviewing ASOSU and AABC budget proposals, the Student and Incidental Fee Committee heard two more presentations in sequence.

The first proposal came from Counseling and Psychological services.

Jackie Alvarez, CAPS director, and student representatives including Timothy Daniel, director of SafeRide, gave the presentation. The presenters noted the low ratio of CAPS licensed staff to the growing number of enrolled students. There are challenges, including no after-hours counseling, inadequate marketing resources and limited space. Currently housed in the fifth floor of Snell Hall, CAPS leaders are looking to relocate.

“Students will receive better services if CAPS goes to 24/7,” Daniel said. “If we can use the student positions for marketing, we can better connect with students.”




Group members outlined their budget proposals to account for mandatory salary increases, after-hours mental health care, hiring another office specialist and adding two student employees. Daniel noted the recent resignation of a CAPS specialist, who noted the workload as part of their decision. The package would allow for the specialist’s replacement and for an additional staff member.

The SIFC board tentatively decided on the second budget proposal, titled “increased enrollment,” by a unanimous vote. They called for a slightly reduced student fee to account for increased enrollment, and for a total salary increase of $64,010 for professional and student staff with a $57,020 increase in other payroll expenses. The proposal entails a CAPS student fee of $35.

“I appreciate that the decision packages were laid out in a very clear way,” said Brad Alvarez, SIFC chair.

“This is a neat way to reach more students and incorporate student fees,” added Tyler Hogan, SIFC board member.

The second presentation came from Student Health Services, with representatives presenting on behalf of a board of 12 students and four faculty members. SHS is a full services medical clinic on campus. Sixty percent of students have scheduled appointments there in 2011-12. Presenters requested the same amount in student fees to support SHS next year.

Hunter Alldredge, a Junior, made a case for SHS, arguing for the consideration of mandated student healthcare at OSU.

“As of now, 4,000 students stand without healthcare,” Alldredge said. “Many of these students are in precarious financial circumstances.”

SIFC board members questioned SHS more than CAPS. Many of the questions focused on the proposal to eliminate contraceptive care. Board members including Brad Alvarez, Hogan and Terra Setzler voiced their concern about the budget, citing contraceptive care as an example of an important resource for students.

“There are a lot of issues raised with this proposal,” Setzler said. “Just from my observations, the student presenters do not seem to be taking their first proposal seriously.”




The board decided to pass the budget, calling for SHS student fees of $85.20 for fall, winter and spring, and a summer fee of $89.09. Brad Alvarez said SHS should be prepared to re-work its budget proposal.

“We will spend the next two weeks creating something to agree on,” Brad Alvarez said. “Then we can get to a more clear budget for the board.”

The SIFC will convene this Saturday to review the Memorial Union and Music budgets. Final decisions on the student fee budget will be made at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union ballroom on Feb. 12. For the complete SIFC meeting schedule, visit oregonstate.edu/sifc/meetings.

Jack Lammers, news editor
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news@dailybarometer.com