Student Engagement and Programs: Fiscal Year 2020

Each of the student fees are used for vastly different purposes. The overriding philosophy regarding fees is to provide a comprehensive offering of quality programs and services to Georgia State University students outside the classroom.

• The Student Activity Fee is distributed by a committee of seven students and three faculty/staff and is allocated to over 550 chartered student organizations. These funds provide a range of direct student services. Student organizations that receive these dollars are chartered through Leadership Programs and provide a wide range of services, including presentations, workshops, student media, and diversity programs. In addition, various student groups are supported whose activities are related to their specific degree program.
• Campus Programming supports a variety of campus wide programming initiatives. These include Spotlight Program Board (e.g. Homecoming, Panther Prowl, Distinguished Speakers Series and musical presentations) as well as other campus wide initiatives that promote leadership development and multicultural competence.
• The Athletic Fee is used to support varsity intercollegiate athletics. This fee is used for athletic scholarships and other costs associated with competitive athletics. The athletic fee allows students to use their Panther Card for free access to athletic events.
• The Transportation Fee is used to help fund the cost of operating the shuttle service (which transports students to campus from Turner Field), and the cost of leasing over 1,000 parking spaces at Turner Field. Additionally, the transportation fee provides for a significant discount on the purchase of monthly MARTA Breezecards.
• The Health Fee funds three areas of health and psychological wellness for Georgia State University students: (1) Health Clinic; (2) Student Health Promotion; and (3) Psychiatric Services. Students may visit the Georgia State University Health Clinic to receive ongoing medical consultations and receive prescriptions via appointments or through the urgent sick visit process. Psychiatric services, including psychiatric evaluation, medication, management, and clinical consultation, are provided in the Georgia State University Counseling & Testing Center by doctors and interns from Emory University Hospital. Student Health Promotion supports activities that empower Georgia State University students to make informed healthier choices and achieve academic success.
• The Student Recreation Center supports all programming, operations and facility needs that occur at the Student Recreation Center, Indian Creek Recreation and Panthersville areas. Since its inception in 2001, the Student Recreation Center has consistently been one of the highest accessed facilities on campus with over 8 million entries to date. The fee allows the department to offer a wide variety of programs and services for either no additional charge or at a very minimal additional fee.
• The Student Center Fee provides funding support for the operation and long-term repair and replacement of the Student Center (East and West). The Student Center serves as center for the campus community by providing meeting and event spaces, lounge and study spaces and student service offices. The Student Center hosts over 8,000 events per year with over 2.4 million visitors per year.
• The Library Fee provides funding for extended library hours and the renovation of library facilities.
• The International Education Fee supports Study Abroad by providing scholarships for international study. The fee also provides for compliance with the federally mandated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• The Technology Fee is used primarily to benefit students to assist them in meeting the educational objectives of their academic program by providing access to computers, software, databases, networks and other services.
• The Sustainability Fee supports campus wide sustainability initiatives.
• Tuition is used to cover the academic costs of your education. It is used in combination with state appropriations and donations to fund classroom instruction, academic facilities and faculty/staff salaries. Unfortunately, costs do rise. However, Georgia State University’s tuition continues to be lower than most large southeastern universities, and the percentage of increase has been kept lower than many similar institutions.

Clearly, in order to keep fees reasonable, many students subsidize services that they do not use. It is the intention of the university that the comprehensiveness of the services and programs provided will offer something for everyone.