In this communication:
- Spring 2024 funding for student organizations will remain intact and unchanged
- University and CUSA leadership are committed to working together to continue discussions to reach a long-term solution that will provide the same consistent funding for student organizations.
- Donations from alumni and friends of Clarkson ensure student organizations continue to thrive alongside expanded mental healthcare moving into 2024-2025.
To Our Clarkson Students,
We hope you have been enjoying your first full week of winter break. We realize many students have concerns about recent reallocations for student fees that will be phased in beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. University administration and student government have come together in the last week to bring greater clarification and short term solutions.
Both student leadership and the administration are very passionate about the wellbeing of our students and their Clarkson experience inclusive of club and organization experiences as well as access to mental health and health resources. Our shared commitment is to work together in all aspects of creating a better Clarkson environment without compromising the experiences students cherish.
Through dialogue since the Reimagining Clarkson Task Force recommendations were endorsed earlier this week, we are pleased to provide an update on both the advancement of mental health support on campus and restoring future resources for student organizations. CUSA is also continuing to review its fiscal policies for responsible new ways to manage its funds. With the combined efforts of the University administration and student government looking at the changes in policies and to fee structures, we have moved in the direction of our goal to not impact student organizations thanks to fundraising efforts already happening.
Allocations of Student Fees to Health & Mental Health Being Phased In: A CUSA presentation to the Board of Trustees in October shared the results from student surveys that support goals for increasing student mental health options with the Campus Improvement Fee (CIF). Demand for services in Clarkson’s Student Health and Counseling Center also trends with these results. The Provost/Faculty Senate Task Force recommended the dedication of a portion of the student activities fee to support health and mental health. With the objective of consistent support for students in this area, this critical staffing needs to be an ongoing budget item. After conversations with student leadership that identified student opposition on how this would be implemented, the administration and Board of Trustees chose to move forward with the recommendation to change the student activities fee allocation and add mental health counseling services. Specifically, the Board of Trustees voted to reallocate $37.50 per semester of the student fee annually starting in the next academic year 2024-25 to health and mental health. This reallocation is to increase to $75 per semester in the following academic year 2025-26. There is no reduction in student fees going to CUSA for clubs and organizations in Spring 2024.
Support for Student Organizations will Continue with University and Donor Support: We recognize and value the importance of robust student experiences. Clarkson’s Development & Alumni Relations team hit the ground running this week and already have donations covering half of the 2024-25 funds needed to keep funds the same for student organizations for the next academic year and more gifts in progress. This enables reinstatement of the activities initially canceled. The success of Clarkson Giving Days that appeal to alumni affinity groups and corporate partners alike gives us confidence that this important aspect of the Clarkson experience will continue providing additional funds to the student experience into the future. Springfest and gas reimbursements will carry on as planned for Spring 2024.
We all have a shared understanding of health and wellness needs that are intertwined with the critical role clubs and organizations have on campus. We are committed to raising these resources philanthropically without additional costs to students to permit time for continued discussions into long term solutions.
Everyone, please have a wonderful and safe holiday into the New Year and we’ll see you back on campus in January!
Diligently,
Marc P. Christensen, Ph.D., P.E., FNAI
President
Cameron Cunningham ‘24
CUSA President
Matt Draper ‘02
Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations
Jonathan Kent ‘25
CUSA Treasurer
