PSSS Considers Rate Hike, Counseling Center Introduces Waitlist
James Kelly
He/Him
News Editor
9/29/24
The University System of New Hampshire has approved a student fee rate increase, and the Plymouth State Student Senate will offer a recommendation to the University Cabinet on where and by how much rates should be increased, PSSS advisor Josh Chandler said at Monday’s meeting.
Full time students currently pay $1,378 per semester in student fees, which fund clubs and organizations, transportation, counseling and health services, and athletic teams and facilities, among other things. The USNH Board of Trustees approved up to a 5% increase, or $68.90 per student per semester. PSSS must consider how the potential rate hike should be distributed. Initial student feedback suggests a general support for prioritizing counseling service fees and activity fees, which PSSS uses for club allocations. There was also substantial pushback to any rate increase at all, according to Class of 2027 President Quinn Hagerty.
The discussion comes in a year with significant financial woes. The Class of 2028 saw a significant enrollment dropoff, in part because of Spring FAFSA issues. Though student fees have stayed constant, the number of students and revenue has fallen. Student Life received over $1 million in student organization funding requests for the 2024/2025 school year with only $589,946 in available funds. PSSS will continue to solicit feedback with a polling table in the HUB, and may consider other mechanisms for student input as well, according to Student Experience Associate Director Melina Baker-Murphy. PSSS aims to make its final recommendation by October 14.
Ultimately, the Student Senate’s role in the funding process is ambiguous. As an advisory body, they have no official power in allocating funds, though it is hard to tell if their recommendations have ever been meaningfully contradicted. “I can’t remember a time in this role they’ve pushed back,” Student Life Director Jessica Dutille told PSSS. Still, the language was cloudy – advisors told new members PSSS’s responsibility is to “support” the allocations process – and most of that process happens behind the scenes.
Robert Orf presented to PSSS on behalf of the PSU Counseling Center, which is also funded by Student Fees. The center, which is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, lost three licensed clinicians over the summer and has to introduce a waitlist this year, Orf said. Though it is hard to estimate how long students should expect to sit on the waitlist, Orf emphasized that those with immediate counseling needs will be triaged. In the meantime, Orf encouraged students to take advantage of other mental health resources on campus, including the WellTrack Boost app, which PSU students get for free.