Tuition and Fee Proposal

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Fee Reviews and Process
Tuition and Fee Proposal
Academic Years 2011 and 2012
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What is a fee review?

• UTSA has developed a process to systematically
• review all fees to
• Analyze expenditures and transfers to ensure
  appropriate use consistent with the fee
  justification and Texas Ed. Code.
• Evaluate balances at year end establish
  appropriate reserve set-asides for future usage.
• Confirm fee rate is based on budgeted
  requirements and approved reserves.
• Document spending plans for fee balances in
  excess of allowed limits.

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What is a fee review?

• Fee process is published in a Financial
• Administration guideline
• http//www.utsa.edu/financialaffairs/opguidelines
• /1.2.html
• See specifically Section H.

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Fee Review Status
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Analyze Expenditures and Transfers

• Expenditures and transfers from fee related
  revenues must meet
• Texas Education Code regulations
• Fee justification guidelines

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Texas Education Code

• a set of statutes governing public education.
• Example
• Sec. 54.5132 International Education Fee
• a)  The governing board of an institution of
  higher education, other than The University of
  Texas at Austin, may charge and collect from
  students registered at the institution a fee in
  an amount not less than 1 and not more than 4
  for each semester or summer session. The amount
  of the fee may be increased only if the increase
  is approved by a majority vote of the students at
  the institution participating in an election
  called for that purpose.
• (b)  Fees collected under this section shall be
  deposited in the institution's international
  education financial aid fund, a fund outside the
  state treasury. Money in the fund may be used
  only to assist students participating in
  international student exchange or study programs.
• (c)  The international education financial aid
  fund shall be used in accordance with guidelines
  jointly developed by the student governing body
  of the institution and the administration of the
  institution. If an institution does not have a
  student governing body, the president may appoint
  a committee of students to assist with the
  development of the guidelines.
• (d)  The fee imposed under this section may not
  be considered in determining the maximum student
  services fee that may be charged students
  enrolled at the institution under Section
  54.503(b) of this code.

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Fee Justification

• Fee Justifications describe the intended use of
  the fee for most fees this was provided when the
  fee was first approved.
• Narrative is normally generic however, proposed
  expenditures are implied to be part of the
  justified usage. Our process allows for a
  zero base budget to be reviewed vis-à-vis the
  current fee justification.
• Example
• Identification Card Fee
• To defray costs of producing and distributing
  student ID cards

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Analyze Expenditures and Transfers Outcomes

• Samples of expenditures were reviewed and found
  to be in compliance, however there were a few
  recommendations
• Texas Education Code for the University Center
  fee should be revised to specifically include
  student activities and programs. Currently, the
  code states these funds should be used for the
  sole purpose of financing, operating,
  maintaining, and improving a student union
  building.
• When the fee is to be specifically used for
  facility renovations, this should be included in
  the fee justification and normally a result of
  retained earnings at fiscal year end.

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Evaluate and Establish Appropriate Reserves and /
or Reserve Targets

• Reserves are funds set aside for approved future
  uses consistent with UTSA guidelines to promote
  efficient and effective operations and help avoid
  significant fluctuations in the fees charged for
  services.

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Reserve Categories
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Evaluate / Establish Reserves Outcomes

• Examples of approved reserves

Project / Purpose Total Cost Estimated Date of Need Amount to set-aside per year
Recreational Center Fee To replace carpet in lounges 30,000 FY12 7,500
University Center Fee To replace exterior furniture- UC I 50,000 FY13 16,500
Library Services Fee To replace Desktop Computers Printers over a 3 7 year refresh period 850,000 (asset value) Each Yr Oldest Machines are refreshed 170,000
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Validating the Fee Rate
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Validating the Fee Rate Example
Some equipment replacement or facility
repair/renovation to be covered from reserves may
need to be delayed to balance the budget and or
avoid fee rate increases.
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Overall Objectives of Fee Reviews

• Assure that the fee rates are cost justified
• Provide transparency
• Verify fees are spent in accordance with
  applicable laws and policies
• Audit compliance

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Questions? Note Written Fee Review Reports are
available for viewing upon request due to the
volume of paperwork, copies will not be provided.