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UCI Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct

Governance and Fees

Section 1

Governance & Fees

60.00 Policy on Student Governments

61.00 - Status

Chancellors have authority to authorize or discontinue recognition of student governmental entities as official student governments, consistent with the status of such governments as official units of the University of California (see The Regents' Policy on the Status of Associated Students). Such governments are responsible for representing student constituencies comprising either the student body as a whole or particular segments of it. Chancellors may also assign to such governments specified powers and other responsibilities concerning student affairs.

61.10 - Authority, Responsibility, and Purposes

Student governments shall have authority and responsibility over matters that are consistent with their enabling documents such as constitutions and by-laws, and with the University's purposes for such governments as defined by these Policies and implementing campus regulations. It shall be the responsibility of student governments, in consultation with the Chancellor or the Chancellor's designee, to ensure that their enabling documents, as well as all their programs and activities, are consistent with the status of such governments as official units of the University, and with the University's purposes for such governments as set forth in Section 61.10-15 of these Policies, as well as with all other provisions of these Policies and with implementing campus regulations. Consistent with the provisions of these Policies, the University's purposes for student governments are:

61.11

To provide students with the educational benefits of participation in student government;

61.12

To provide a forum for the discussion of issues and ideas of interest, importance, and/or of concern to students;

61.13

To provide financial and other tangible support for student activities and organizations on a viewpoint-neutral basis, consistent with the provisions of Section 86.00 of these Policies, in order to foster a sense of community and to further discussion among students of the broadest range of ideas;

61.14

To communicate student views to audiences, including external governmental offices and agencies, consistent with the provisions of Sections 63.00 and 64.00 of these Policies; and

61.15

To provide such additional services to students as may be determined by the Chancellor or Chancellor's designee to be consistent with the status of student governments as official units of the University and with the other provisions of these Policies.

62.00 - Support

Student governments may be supported by compulsory campus-based student fees as specified in Section 81.00 of these Policies and/or by voluntary student contributions as specified in Section 90.10 of these Policies.

63.00 - Right To Take Positions on Public Issues

Student governments shall have the right to address and take positions on public issues as consideration of such matters serves the University's purposes for such governments as set forth in Section 61.10-15 of these Policies. Positions on issues taken by student governments shall not be represented as or deemed to be positions of any entity of the University other than the student government.

63.10

Student government legislation prohibits the funding of operational costs of organizations. Funding is only provided for specific programs which are open to the entire student population and serve to complement the University's mission.

64.00 - Lobbying and Other Public Policy-Oriented Activities

Consistent with the University's purposes for student governments as set forth in Section 61.10-15 of these Policies, student governments may undertake lobbying and other public policy-oriented activities on student-related matters, as defined in Section 64.01 and 64.02 of these Policies, supported by compulsory campus-based student fees and/or by voluntary student contributions.

The lobbying and other public policy-oriented activities of student governments serve the University's purposes for such governments when such activities provide students with educational experiences in developing, discussing, and resolving positions on student-related matters, and articulating these positions through public and private discussions, meetings, and other forms of communication.

In furtherance of the University's purposes for student governments, the educational benefit provided to students by such activities must outweigh any purpose of furthering a particular ideological or political viewpoint. Consistent with this requirement, all such activities must be established by and under the direct and exclusive control of student governments and their democratic processes, and offer opportunities for participation by University of California students in meaningful learning experiences.

64.01 - Definition of Lobbying Activities

The term "lobbying activities" as used in these Policies means the funding or sponsorship by student governments of any program or activity of such governments that involves direct contact (whether face-to-face, by telephone, or in writing) with non-University legislative or other governmental officials in order to communicate a student government position (including the supporting rationale for that position) on a student-related matter.

64.02 - Definition of Public Policy-Oriented Activities Other Than Lobbying

The term "other public policy-oriented activities" as used in these Policies means the funding or sponsorship by student governments of any program or activity of such governments (other than "lobbying activities" as defined in Section 64.01 of these Policies) that involves the communication to a University audience of a student government position (including the supporting rationale for that position) on a student-related matter.

64.10 - Systemwide Pro Rata Refund Requirement for Lobbying Activities

Any student objecting to a particular lobbying activity of student government (as defined in Section 64.01 of these Policies) supported by compulsory campus-based student fees is entitled to a pro rata refund of that portion of his or her fees that went to support the activity. Criteria and procedures for particular campus-based refund mechanisms shall be developed by campuses in consultation with their student governments, and with the Office of the President and the Office of the General Counsel as required, to ensure the compliance of such mechanisms with both these Policies and the law. Such criteria and procedures must provide that the availability of pro rata refunds be widely and frequently publicized among students, and that all requests for such refunds by objecting students be processed equitably and expeditiously. (See also Sections 70.83 and 86.13 of these Policies.)

64.20 - Pro Rata Refunds for Public Policy-Oriented Activities of Student Governments Other than Lobbying

In consultation with its student government or governments, a campus may at its discretion establish and administer a mechanism providing for a pro rata refund to any student of that portion of his or her compulsory campus-based student fees that has been allocated to support a particular public policy-oriented activity of student government other than lobbying (as defined in Section 64.02 of these Policies). Campuses are encouraged but not required to consult with the Office of the President and with the Office of General Counsel in the development of criteria and procedures for any such refund mechanism. Such criteria and procedures should provide that the availability of pro rata refunds be widely and frequently publicized among students, and that all requests for such refunds by objecting students be processed equitably and expeditiously. Establishment of such a refund mechanism for the public policy-oriented activities of student governments other than lobbying is not required either as a matter of University policy or the law. (See also Section 86.13 of these Policies.)

65.00 - Sponsorship of Speakers

Compulsory campus-based student fees allocated to student governments and/or voluntary contributions made to student governments may be expended to support speakers sponsored by those governments. The purpose of such support must be to stimulate on-campus discussion and debate on a wide range of issues. Student governments may bring in speakers as part of their public policy-oriented activities consistent with Sections 63.00 and 64.00 of these Policies. In the event that an allocation is made by a student government to sponsor a forum with speakers advocating for or against a candidate for a non-student-government office, or for or against an off-campus ballot proposition, the student government must make a good faith effort to invite a representative of the opposing campaign or campaigns to appear at the same time or, if this opportunity is declined, to appear at another time. (See also Sections 66.00 and 86.34 of these Policies.)

66.00 - Participation in Non-University Political Campaigns

Consistent with Section 41.10 of these Policies and with the University's Legal Guidelines for UC Participating in Ballot Campaigns, student governments may not use University resources to support or oppose a particular candidate or ballot proposition in a non-University political campaign. This is not intended to preclude the use of such resources by student governments for legitimate educational purposes related to such non-University campaigns, in which information about competing candidates for government office and/or information about competing viewpoints with respect to particular ballot propositions is provided in a fair and balanced way. (See also Sections 65.00 and 86.34 of these Policies.)

67.00 - Fiscal Soundness and Fiscal Accountability

Chancellors are responsible for the fiscal soundness of student governments, and are responsible in addition for maintaining fiscal accountability over compulsory campus-based student fees and voluntary contributions collected from students to support student governments under the University's authority. The allocation and expenditure of all such funds by student governments shall be in accordance with all applicable University policies.

In the discharge of these responsibilities, Chancellors may conduct audits of the finances of student governments, exercise control over expenditures of their funds when and to the extent necessary to maintain the financial solvency of student governments, and where required may take action to ensure that any financial or business activity under the control of student governments is operated in accordance with sound business practices and is consistent with legal requirements and University policies and procedures.

67.10 - Transfer of Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees to Non-University Entities

Compulsory campus-based student fees may be expended by a student government to cover the expenses of direct participation by University students in a particular non-University-sponsored educational program or activity. Such fees may also be expended in payment of applicable dues necessary to sustain student government membership in national and other regional non-University associations at the basic level established by such associations, so long as the level of any such assessment is in line with what is assessed similar student organizations at other institutions comparable in size and nature to the University as a requirement of basic membership. Except as provided immediately below, memberships at a preferential level that require the payment of higher periodic dues than what is required to sustain basic membership, or the assessment by such non-University associations of supplemental contributions from their members as an expectation but not a requirement of continued membership, may not be supported from compulsory campus-based student fees.

Other than for considerations of basic membership as set forth above, additional transfers of funds from compulsory campus-based fees by a student government to such non-University associations may be made only when they can be justified, in advance of the transfer, to the Chancellor (or other campus official designated by the Chancellor with administrative oversight over student government) as providing a direct educational benefit to University of California students commensurate with the proposed expenditure.

Compulsory campus-based fees may not otherwise be expended by a student government in support of, or be otherwise transferred to, a non-University organization, program, or activity, except in payment for goods and services directly necessary to the operation of that student government, its programs or activities.

The referendum process set forth in Section 82.00 of these Policies shall not be available either to establish a new compulsory campus-based student fee, or to lock in an increase to an existing such fee, that is earmarked for the purpose of providing direct support to any non-University organization, program, or activity. (See also Sections 70.90 and 87.00 of these Policies.)

80.00 Policy on Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees

The Regents have authority to impose fees for any University purpose. All campus-based student fees at a campus must be approved by the Chancellor of that campus, except that no compulsory campus-based fees shall be effective until also approved either by The Regents or by the President under the President's delegated authority, as appropriate.

81.00 - Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees: Definition and Exclusions; Provision for Return-to-Aid

81.10

Definition and Exclusions Compulsory campus-based student fees are fees levied at individual campuses that must be paid by all registered students to whom the fee applies. Such fees may be used to fund: (1) student-related services and programs, including, but not limited to, referenda-based student health insurance programs; (2) construction and renovation of student buildings and other facilities such as student centers and recreation facilities; and (3) authorized student governments (as defined in Section 61.00 of the Policy on Student Governments), Registered Campus Organizations, and student government- and Registered Campus Organization-related programs, events, and other activities.

This Policy does not apply to Universitywide fees, to non-referendum-based campus health insurance fees that may be assessed to meet a non-academic condition of enrollment established by either The Regents or the President, to fees related to instruction, or to campus-based miscellaneous fees that require either the Chancellor's or the President's approval.

81.10 (See Appendix 6 - Policy for Student Fee Funded Facilities)

81.20 - Provision for Return-to-Aid

Effective from the date of final issuance of this Policy as revised on April 14, 2006, any compulsory campus-based student fee approved as either a new fee or an increase to an existing fee shall provide for fee revenue for local need-based financial aid ("return-to-aid") to be set aside in an amount equal to at least 25% of the total new fee or fee increase as appropriate. The return-to-aid generated by undergraduate students shall be reserved for undergraduate student financial support and the return-to-aid generated by graduate and professional students shall be reserved for graduate and professional student financial support.

Campuses also are strongly encouraged to seek future student approval, through the referendum process, of either separate new fees or increases to existing fees that would provide financial aid to cover the need associated with all existing compulsory campus-based student fees that do not already include return-to-aid as of the date of final issuance of this Policy as revised on April 14, 2006, and that are thus exempt from the new return-to-aid requirement.

Any campus-based fee (whether referendum-based or non-referendum-based) that is charged to a student as a premium to purchase health insurance for that student shall be exempt from any return-to-aid requirement. This exemption shall not extend to campus-based fees that have been approved by students through the referendum process for the purpose of providing direct support to campus student health centers.

82.00 - Referendum Requirement for Establishing, Increasing, or Renewing Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees

Compulsory campus-based student fees may only be established, increased, or renewed following a referendum in which students vote in favor of the compulsory fees, except as provided in Section 83.00 of these Policies.

83.00 - Exceptions to the Referendum Requirement

83.10

A new compulsory campus-based student fee, or an increase to or renewal of an existing such fee, may be approved by The Regents subject to the President's and the Chancellor's recommendation, and does not require a student referendum, under any of the following circumstances:

83.11

When a student referendum was not specifically required for increases in a compulsory campus-based student fee, as established in the original ballot measure language approved by students in a student election;

83.12

When the Chancellor determines that a new fee, or an increase to or renewal of an existing fee, is necessary for the health and safety of students, and when that fee or fee increase or renewal is specifically related to the maintenance of the safety of a building or other facility that is funded, wholly or in significant part (as determined by the Chancellor with the concurrence of the Office of the President) by student fees. Safety issues are those that are potentially dangerous consistent with the standards set forth in the University Policy on Seismic Safety and the University Policy on Management of Health, Safety, and the Environment, as determined by the Chancellor with the concurrence of the Office of the President, such as those that relate to the risk of fire, the presence of asbestos, or the existence of seismic or other structural deficits.

Any new fee, or any increase to or renewal of an existing fee, established under the provisions of this Section shall be retired once the fee's stated purpose is fulfilled. Upon the recommendation of the President, the Chancellor may petition The Regents for continuation of any such new fee, fee increase, or fee renewal in advance of its retirement.

For buildings or other facilities with multiple uses, whenever possible the costs to students for funding safety-related or health-related maintenance should be based on the proportion of current non-academic student use of the building or other facility; or

83.13

When a new fee, or an increase to or renewal of an existing fee, is necessary to meet legal requirements (such as new code requirements) or contractual obligations (such as income projections) specified in the funding covenants of a building or other facility that is funded wholly or in significant part by student fees. For buildings or other facilities with multiple uses, whenever possible the costs to students for such increases should be based on the proportion of current non-academic student use of the building or other facility.

84.00 - Procedures and Required Approvals for Establishing, Increasing, or Renewing a Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fee

84.10

Except as provided in Section 83.00 of these Policies, to establish, increase, or renew a compulsory campus-based student fee Chancellors shall establish in campus implementing regulations, prior to any student referendum, procedures that meet at least the following minimum systemwide standards for such referenda:

84.11

Procedures for student consultation including consultation with student governments and campus student fee committees and, in the case of compulsory campus-based-student-fee funded buildings or other facilities, procedures for continuing student consultation once the building or other facility is constructed;

84.12

A requirement for a minimum voting pool of at least 20% of all students eligible to vote in a particular student election, subject to the following:

(a) a Chancellor may, in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, petition the President in advance of a particular student election for approval of a lower minimum voting pool requirement for that election;

(b) for any ballot measure in support of a non-capital-project-related campus program, where voter eligibility is limited to graduate and/or professional students, a Chancellor may set the minimum voting pool, for that ballot measure only, at a lower level (based on historical graduate and professional student voter turnout rates for the campus), without petitioning the President in advance for approval;

84.13

A requirement for at least majority-vote approval by students voting on a particular ballot measure, for that ballot measure to be successful;

84.14 A requirement that each proposed new compulsory campus-based fee, or proposed increase to or renewal of any existing such fee, (except as specified in Section 83.00 of this Policy above) be voted on by students as a separate ballot measure in a student election, except that multiple proposed new such fees or fee increases or renewals may be aggregated into a single ballot measure where the proposed fees or fee increases or renewals strongly and clearly support a common student life, student services, or other programmatically related goal;

84.15

A requirement that the actual language of any ballot measure in a student election that is intended to fund either construction of a new building or other facility, or major renovation of an existing building or other facility, explicitly state:

1) whether the fee will be continued following retirement of the original debt on the new construction or major renovation, and

2) if the fee is to be continued, the purpose or purposes for which the fee will be used, as well as the mechanism that will be used to determine the level at which the fee will be set, following retirement of the original debt (please note that, as a general principle, campuses are encouraged to continue such fees at an appropriately adjusted level following retirement of the original debt, to provide for the actual costs associated with long-term building or other facility maintenance needs); and

84.16

A requirement that payment by students of compulsory campus-based student fees to support student-referendum-funded construction of new buildings or other facilities, or major renovation of existing buildings or other facilities, be initiated only from the time that students can actually benefit from and use the new or renovated building or other facility, except as specified immediately below.

Notwithstanding this requirement, a campus may assess students a pro rata percentage of any such fee in advance of completion of the new or renovated building or other facility for the purpose of supporting the design and planning costs, project mitigations, and financing costs associated with construction or renovation of the building or other facility, provided that both the purpose and level of this assessment are approved by students as part of the original ballot measure for the new or renovated building or other facility.

84.20

All student referendum results are advisory to the Chancellor and, conditional on the Chancellor's recommendation, are subject to final approval by the President under the authority delegated to the President by The Regents.

85.00 Requirements For Reducing or Eliminating a Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fee

Chancellors shall establish in campus regulations procedures for reducing or eliminating a compulsory campus-based student fee.

85.00

The redirection or re-appropriation of any existing mandatory student government fee, i.e., ASUCI, AGS, GSMSA or AMSG, is not appropriate or in accordance with University or Regental delegated authority. Locking in a specific dollar amount to be appropriated for a specific program, organization, or service would be an example of an inappropriate redirection or re-appropriation action.

86.00 - Support for Registered Campus Organizations and Related Programs and Activities from Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees [replaces the University of California Guidelines for Funding Registered Campus Organizations and Related Programmatic Activities by Compulsory Student Fees, as revised October 26, 1999]

86.10 - Conditions for Support

Compulsory campus-based student fees allocated to student government may be reallocated to support Registered Campus Organizations and Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities consistent with the University's educational purposes in providing such support, as set forth in Section 86.20 of these Policies. The process for making such reallocations must be based solely on viewpoint-neutral criteria, as set forth in Section 86.30 of these Policies.

86.11

A Registered Campus Organization that is preponderantly or exclusively funded by a student government or other campus entity from compulsory campus-based student fees shall primarily have University of California students as its members. Particular programs and activities of a Registered Campus Organization funded from compulsory campus-based student fees shall be open to participation by the entire campus community. In addition, all expenditures relating to particular programs and activities of a Registered Campus Organization (whether the program or activity takes place on- or off-campus) that are funded from such fees must be under the direct control of University of California students. (See also Section 70.20 of these Policies.)

86.12

The referendum process set forth in Section 82.00 of these Policies shall not be accessible to a Registered Campus Organization or any student group other than a student government. The foregoing is not intended to preclude access to the referendum process by any administrative unit of the University, subject to appropriate student consultation. Support for a Registered Campus Organization or any student group other than a student government from compulsory campus-based student fees must be in the form of a reallocation from student government or other appropriate campus entity to the Registered Campus Organization or other student group. All such reallocations must be made consistent with the requirements for viewpoint-neutral funding set forth in Sections 86.20 and 86.30 of these Policies. (See also Section 70.81 of these Policies.)

86.13

A student government in consultation with the campus, or a campus with the concurrence of the student government, may at its discretion establish and administer a mechanism providing for a pro rata refund to any student of that portion of his or her student government fees that are allocated by a student government or other campus entity to support a particular Registered Campus Organization or Registered Campus Organization-related program or activity. Establishment of such a refund mechanism is not required either as a matter of University policy or the law. (See also Section 70.83 of these Policies.)

86.20 - The University's Educational Purposes

The University's educational purposes are served when reallocations by a student government or other campus entity of compulsory campus-based student fees to support Registered Campus Organizations and Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities are made: (1) to provide opportunities for the educational benefits and personal and social enrichment that derive from participation in extracurricular programs and activities; and (2) to stimulate on-campus discussion and debate on a wide range of issues from a variety of viewpoints.

Consistent with the above purposes, such reallocations shall only be made to support either the general organizational expenses of Registered Campus Organizations and Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities or their associated communicative purposes.

In addition, allocation decisions to provide such support must be made without regard to the viewpoint of a particular Registered Campus Organization or Registered Campus Organization-related program or activity, and must be balanced in relation to the support provided to other Registered Campus Organizations or Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities in similar circumstances.

86.30 - Campus Procedures and Criteria to Assure Viewpoint Neutrality

In fulfilling these purposes consistent with applicable law and Section 86.20 of these Policies, campuses shall have responsibility for ensuring that student governments and, as applicable, other campus reallocation entities, maintain procedures and criteria for making specific reallocation decisions for the support of Registered Campus Organizations and Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities from compulsory campus-based student fees. Such procedures and criteria must be viewpoint-neutral in their nature; that is, they must be based upon considerations which do not include approval or disapproval of the viewpoint of the Registered Campus Organization or any of its related programs or activities.

86.31

Criteria appropriate to be given balanced consideration in the making of viewpoint-neutral reallocation decisions might include, but are not limited to: the objectively documented organizational needs of the Registered Campus Organization based on membership size; its office or equipment requirements; the extent of financial support the Registered Campus Organization receives from other sources; or the production costs associated with a particular event or series of events the Registered Campus Organization typically sponsors. Such sponsored events supported in whole or in part by compulsory campus-based student fees need not avoid controversial political, religious, or ideological content, subject to the understanding that under current University policy (see Section 30.20 of the Policy on Speech and Advocacy) campuses have a responsibility to assure an ongoing opportunity for the expression of a variety of viewpoints.

86.32

Campus procedures and criteria shall provide: (a) that student governments or other campus entities responsible for reallocating compulsory campus-based student fees must publicize widely and regularly to Registered Campus Organizations the availability of such funds to support Registered Campus Organizations on a viewpoint-neutral basis, as well as the viewpoint-neutral criteria on the basis of which such funds will be reallocated; and (b) that communications to Registered Campus Organizations on the availability of such funds must be made in a timely fashion, and be reiterated periodically during the year as long as such funds remain available, to ensure sufficient time for the preparation of funding proposals in advance of funding decisions.

86.33

Campus criteria and procedures shall also provide for: (a) documentation of all funding processes available to Registered Campus Organizations, including notice of the opportunity to apply for funding and the criteria upon which funding requests will be judged, consistent with Section 86.32 of these Policies; (b) documentation of all funding requests by Registered Campus Organizations and actions taken by the student government or other campus entity with reference to the published funding criteria in response to such requests; and (c) a formal process that allows Registered Campus Organizations or individual students to appeal, in a reasonable and timely manner, funding decisions regarding particular Registered Campus Organizations or Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities made by the student government or other campus reallocating entity.

86.34 Compulsory campus-based student fees may be reallocated to pay for speakers sponsored by Registered Campus Organizations. Over time, such events should stimulate on-campus discussion and debate from a wide range of viewpoints on a variety of issues.

86.40 - Legal Review of Campus Procedures and Criteria

Campus procedures and criteria for reallocation of compulsory campus-based student fees to support Registered Campus Organizations and Registered Campus Organization-related programs and activities on a viewpoint-neutral basis must be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel to ensure that the procedures and criteria are consistent with the law and these Policies. In addition, campuses are advised to consult with the Office of the General Counsel should a question arise about whether a particular reallocation is viewpoint-neutral in nature and meets the University's educational purposes as specified in Section 86.20 of these Policies.

87.00 - Transfer of Compulsory Campus-Based Student Fees to Non-University Entities

Compulsory campus-based student fees may be expended by a student government, Registered Campus Organization, or other campus entity to cover the expenses of direct participation by University students in a particular non-University-sponsored educational program or activity. Such fees may also be expended in payment of applicable dues necessary to sustain membership by a student government or Registered Campus Organization in national and other regional non-University associations at the basic level established by such associations, so long as the level of any such assessment is in line with what is assessed similar student organizations at other institutions comparable in size and nature to the University as a requirement of basic membership. Except as provided immediately below, memberships at a preferential level that require the payment of higher periodic dues than what is required to sustain basic membership, or the assessment by such non-University associations of supplemental contributions from their members as an expectation but not a requirement of continued membership, may not be supported from compulsory campus-based student fees.

Other than for considerations of basic membership as set forth above, additional transfers of funds from compulsory campus-based fees by a student government, Registered Campus Organization, or other campus entity to such non-University associations may be made only when they can be justified, in advance of the transfer, to the Chancellor (or other campus official designated by the Chancellor with administrative oversight over the student government, Registered Campus Organization, or other campus entity) as providing a direct educational benefit to University of California students commensurate with the proposed expenditure.

Compulsory campus-based student fees may not otherwise be expended by a student government, Registered Campus Organization, or other campus entity in support of, or be otherwise transferred to, a non-University organization, program, or activity, except in payment for goods and services directly necessary to the operation of that student government, Registered Campus Organization, or other campus entity, its programs or activities.

The referendum process set forth in Section 82.00 of these Policies shall not be available either to establish a new compulsory campus-based student fee, or to lock in an increase to an existing such fee, for the purpose of supporting any non-University organization, program, or activity. (See also Sections 67.10 and 70.90 of these Policies.)

90.00 Policy on the Campus Assessment of Voluntary Student Contributions to Student Governments and Registered Campus Organizations

90.10 - Campus Procedures

In furtherance of the University's stated goal of actively encouraging voluntary student support for the programs and activities of student governments and Registered Campus Organizations, and consistent with the University of California Guidelines for Implementing a Voluntary Student Fee Pledge System, Chancellors may establish procedures permitting the use of the student registration process or other formal campus assessment process to collect voluntary contributions from students in support of student governments and their related programs and activities, as well as Registered Campus Organizations and their related programs and activities when they serve the interests of students enrolled at the University. No program or activity of a student government or a Registered Campus Organization may be supported by voluntary contributions collected through a formal campus assessment process unless that program or activity is also in compliance with all other applicable University policies and the law.

Campuses shall consult broadly with representatives of student government in the development of such assessment and collection procedures. Such procedures:

90.11

Shall require that any voluntary contribution assessed through the student registration process or other formal campus assessment process be collected only from those students who have affirmatively elected by means of a positive check-off mechanism to authorize such an assessment;

90.12

Shall require either a student referendum (conducted under the same criteria as for compulsory campus-based student fees as set forth in Section 84.00 of these Policies) or, subject to the concurrence of the Chancellor or Chancellor's designee, a duly adopted resolution of student government, to authorize use (consistent with the University of California Guidelines for Implementing a Voluntary Student Fee Pledge System) of the student registration process or other formal campus assessment process for the collection of voluntary contributions;

90.13

Shall require that the actual costs (as defined in Section 8 of the University of California Guidelines for Implementing a Voluntary Student Fee Pledge System) of the collection of voluntary contributions to benefit a Registered Campus Organization be borne by the Registered Campus Organization (at the discretion of the Chancellor or Chancellor's designee, all or a part of the actual costs of collection of voluntary contributions to benefit a student government may or may not be required to be borne by the student government); and

90.14

Shall require that a written disclaimer be incorporated into the ballot measure language (or the duly adopted resolution of student government) at the time of authorization, and into the student registration or other formal campus assessment process at the time of collection. This disclaimer shall state that the collection of such voluntary contributions through the University's agency for support of the programs and activities of student governments or Registered Campus Organizations does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement by the University (or, in the case of the programs and activities of student governments, does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement by any entity of the University other than the student government).

90.20

These Policies shall apply only to voluntary contributions collected from students as part of the student registration process or other formal campus assessment process and shall not apply to voluntary contributions solicited from students as part of the more general fund-raising activities of any University or University-affiliated entity. Student governments and Registered Campus Organizations engaged in more general fund-raising activities are subject to all other applicable University policies relating to the fund-raising activities of University and University-affiliated entities. rights, privileges, and responsibilities of those who comprise the University community.

120.00 Policy on Student Participation in Governance

As members of the campus community, students have a substantial interest in the governance of the University. Their participation has increased significantly in the last decades, and the University has benefitted from it. It is the intent of this Policy to reaffirm the University's commitment to the principle of student involvement in governance in both administrative and academic areas and to state the primary purposes and goals of that involvement.

This commitment is based on the premise that student participation is vital to a vigorous intellectual exchange and the furtherance of the objectives of University education and research. Appropriate, effective, and productive student involvement, consistent with the development of policies that reflect the total needs of the University, is the goal.

The governance of the University involves more than the process of making decisions. The process of governance provides a forum for group interaction, expression of concerns, exploration of feasible solutions, and reconciliation of diverse viewpoints. Within this context, student participation serves several functions.

First, it is important to the sound development of policy. Student views and advice, often from special perspectives, provide for more informed University decision making. Participation should be encouraged and strengthened through the involvement of all levels of student representation.

Second, there is a recognition that students have a vital interest in decisions directly related to policies and programs affecting their academic and non-academic experience at the University. Clear procedures are required to ensure that students are afforded access to needed information, an opportunity to share ideas, and encouragement to express concerns, both formally and informally.

Finally, student participation is crucial to ensure that student viewpoints are considered on issues of importance to the University community. This communication provides opportunities for testing assumptions, for understanding the attitudes of others, for sharing information, and for developing understanding and mutual trust among constituencies. The special nature of the University requires a sense of community. While every decision may not be wholly satisfactory to all parties, the governance process should provide a forum for candid discussion.

Efforts should continue to be directed toward improving not only the extent but also the quality and effectiveness of student involvement. To these ends, the University must work to achieve several goals.

First, the processes central to student involvement, including the selection, training, and continuity of student participants, need to be clearly understood by all members of the campus community and periodically reexamined. Care should be taken, in particular, that the process of reaching decisions in campus governance is openly communicated and well understood. Second, building on existing mechanisms, means for student participation in administrative and academic areas should be developed and implemented on the campuses and in the Office of the President; it is important that a variety of ways be provided to ensure that the University gains full benefit from student participation in those areas. Third, areas where students are not now participating need to be examined. In this regard, ways should be sought to enhance student involvement in academic departments, where important decisions that affect students are made.

In order to achieve these goals, each campus has developed a plan for student participation. Essential to the success of such plans is a periodic review of the procedures used by campus academic and administrative departments, student governments, and other student organizations, and an evaluation of progress toward implementation of the plan. This review process should involve broad consultation with the campus community, including formal consultation with student governments and the Academic Senate. Campus plans for student participation in institutional governance should be made readily available for review. Matters which have been delegated by The Regents to the Academic Senate are beyond the scope of these campus plans, but direct discussions between students and the Academic Senate on student participation in the deliberations of the Senate should continue.