REVIEW PROCESS FOR EVALUATING STUDENT STIPEND POLICY
As part of SFAC’s bi-annual review process and in light of recent requests from student committees seeking new or increased stipends, the following presents recent changes to the Student Stipend Policy, outlines key provisions of the current policy, and offers some stipend review guidelines for the Committee’s consideration.
· The base annual stipend was set at a fixed amount of $3,000 for the 1997-1998 academic year. The base annual stipend should also be reviewed by SFAC every two years.
· In January 1999, SFAC removed Student Services Committee from list of stipended committees and included Campus Retention Committee. In addition, SFAC chair stipend increase was increased.
[http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/sfac/documents/stppol99.htm]
“The stipend is not viewed as employment income, but rather as an award in recognition for service to the University. The stipend is intended to encourage the participation of the highest caliber of students of any financial means.”
“The key factors involved in determining which committees shall be entitled to stipends and at what level are the gravity of the responsibility and the time required for participation.”
· Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)
· Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
· Community Activities Committee (CAC)
· Campus Programs Committee (CPC)
· Campus Retention Committee (CRC)
“Proposed changes to the committees eligible to receive stipends, the student member allotments, and the level of stipends shall be reviewed by SFAC. Recommended changes shall be forwarded to the Chancellor for consideration per provisions of the SFAC charter and by-laws.” (Section 4)
·
Open and Inclusive Process
The Stipend Review Process is an opportunity for SFAC members to learn about other Student Committees at UCLA and their scope of work. These committees serve an important student oversight function on many of the units that come before SFAC during the funding process, engaging them in this process will ensure continued dialogue. SFAC should strive to include participation from interested Student Committees and their appointing authorities including:
· Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)
· Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
· Community Activities Committee (CAC)
· Campus Programs Committee (CPC)
· Campus Retention Committee (CRC)
· Student Initiated Outreach Committee (SIOC)
· USAC President and Appointment Review Committee
· GSA President and Appointment Review Committee
· Establish and Agree on Criteria for Stipended Committees
Before decisions are made on current requests for student stipends, SFAC must finalize the criteria for providing stipends to committees. Specifically SFAC must consider:
A. Stipend Amounts
1) whether an increase is merited
2) under what criteria will committees receive an increase
B. Stipended Committees
1) whether additional committees should be added to the existing list
2) under what criteria will committees receive a stipend
Student Stipend Policy currently outlines two key factors:
1) gravity of the responsibility and 2) the time required for participation as meritorious of stipends.
· Develop and Adhere to Timeline for Review
To ensure that a revised Student Stipend Policy is in place before the beginning of the Budget process, SFAC must adhere to a strict timeline for review and development of the policy.
1. Collect information on Current Stipended Committees
· Such as meeting times, scope of work, stipend amounts at other UC campuses
2. Identify Student Stipend Policy Review Committee
3. Establish and Agree on Criteria for Stipended Committees
· Student Stipend Policy Review Committee and SFAC must finalize
4. Student Stipend Policy Review Committee to Begin Review Process
· Conduct Meetings, Collect Input, Develop Student Stipend Policy
5. Student Stipend Policy Review Committee Present Student Stipend Policy to SFAC
6. SFAC Finalize New Student Stipend Policy
7. Evaluate New Requests for Student Stipends under New Policy
Levin Sy, Spring 2001