Legislation & Resolutions
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Resolution Upholding Student Governance and Financial Accountability in Mandatory Fee Decisions

WHEREAS, on December 12, 2025, the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC), comprised of 9 students and 8 staff/faculty representatives, recommended an increase to the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) fee by an additional $120 per semester to fund athletic department programming & facilities, Return to Aid (3%), Sports Clubs (6%), Adapted Athletics (1.7%), Aztec Student Media Group (2%) and a designated allocation to the general IRA fund (2%) athletics department, and on January 20, 2026, San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre approved this proposal with minor modifications , and

WHEREAS, the IRA fee increase was approved using the alternative consultation process, as outlined by California State University (CSU) Executive Order no. 1102 , in which the SDSU President tasked CFAC with making a recommendation on the fee increase without a student referendum, and

WHEREAS, existing CSU policy allows campuses to raise mandatory student fees without holding a referendum, and even if a referendum is held, campuses are not bound by the outcome (see E.O. 1102 III-C), as demonstrated in the 2004 SDSU student fee increase that was approved by President Weber despite 51.8% of students voting in opposition , and

WHEREAS, the implementation of mandatory student fee increases without a referendum is inconsistent with the principles of student self-governance and shared governance articulated in the Associated Students Student Bill of Rights , and

WHEREAS, the total cost of attendance at SDSU, including tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and living expenses, has increased substantially in recent years, placing growing financial strain on students and their families , and

WHEREAS, SDSU is currently operating under fiscal constraints that have resulted in hiring freezes and instructional limitations affecting the academic mission of the University [5], and

WHEREAS, mandatory student fee increases represent a significant financial burden on the student body and therefore warrant direct student approval through referendum whenever feasible; and therefore let it be

RESOLVED, that we, the Associated Students of SDSU, condemn the Administration’s use of alternative consultation to approve the recent IRA fee increase without a student referendum; and let it further be

RESOLVED, that the Administration of SDSU should cease to use the alternative consultation process, and should instead require approval by a majority vote of participating students in a duly conducted referendum prior to implementation of any mandatory student fee increase; and let it further be

RESOLVED, that we urge the Administration to prioritize the greater needs of the student body when considering budget reallocations or student fee increases, including but not limited to: campus funding for recognized student organizations and college councils, programs designed to fight food insecurity, funding for mental health services, quality and availability of classroom instruction, access to tutoring services and supplemental instruction, and career readiness programs, and access to ample study spaces with adequate hours of operation; and let it finally be

RESOLVED, that this resolution be submitted for consideration by the University Council, and upon ratification, be distributed widely, including, but not limited to, the sitting SDSU President, the University Senate, and the Campus Fee Advisory Committee.

  1. Roman Fong, "CFAC Passes IRA Fee Increase Recommendation; Awaits Action by SDSU President", The Daily Aztec (December 18, 2025)
  2. "Campus Fee Advisory Committee Category II Fee Request" (January 20, 2026)
  3. Chancellor Timothy P. White, "Memorandum on the California State University Student Fee Policy"
  4. collegetuitioncompare.com, "How much has San Diego State's Tuition Increased over the Past 10 Years?"
  5. Kira Caspers, "SDSU Announces Hiring Freeze with Few Exceptions Amid Budget Shortfalls", Times of San Diego (March 25, 2025)