STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES SAFE FROM GENERAL FUND CUTS

ASMHCC held a budget forum in the Student Union on April 9 to provide transparency regarding the spending of student activity fees. Leaders shared co-curricular and athletic department budgets for the 2026-27 academic year in comparison to last year’s spending.

Students may have noticed the overwhelming discussion around the college budget lately. Notably, the AVID center and several other key positions and programs are being cut due to funding issues. This has caused an uproar among students and staff, who cited a lack of clear communication before the Board of Education made the cuts.

Dave Shirer, student leadership and engagement coordinator, assured students that the activity fee is separate from the general fund.

“[The student activities fee] is the $4.25 fee per credit that every student pays,” Shirer said. “It is a separate fund from the college general fund and that budget cut conversation.”

The total budget for the 2026-27 student activity fee reflects an increase of just over $200,000 from 2025-26. Despite this rise, the per-credit fee for students has not increased.

Most of the budget increases for student activities are due to a need for updated resources and a rise in student participation. This accounts for predicted event attendance, basic needs — such as Barney’s Pantry, book vouchers and bus passes — and student-run organizations, including clubs, The Advocate, Venture, Perceptions, and KMHD2. For ASMHCC and Athletics, costs include supporting members and traveling to events.

For further details, students can email ASMHCC Financial Affairs representative Nick Stone at ASGDF@mhcc.edu.