Student Life Fee Referendum

Campus-wide vote takes place February 27 thru March 2, 2023

Student Senate at Inver Hills Community College has voted to move forward with a campus-wide referendum to increase the Student Life Fee by $1 per credit, bringing the fee to $5.55 per credit. The Student Life Fee helps fund campus events, recreational sports, clubs and organizations, theatre productions, the college’s Annual Research Project, and the Student Ambassador program.

This fee increased by 2 percent this academic year for the first time since 2009—when the fee was reduced. Prior to that increase, the fee hadn’t been raised since 2003. This fee is still below average when compared to other community colleges in the Minnesota. The average statewide Student Life Fee is $5.83 per credit.

Last year’s Student Senate voted to move forward with this campus-wide referendum. The fee increase is motivated by students seeking to expand opportunities for student involvement on campus and in our community.

Student Life, Student Senate, and our student clubs are working hard to reengage our campus population and offer valuable student leadership and learning experiences outside the classroom,” said Kimberly Swinney, Inver Hills director of Student Life. “Our current operating budget makes it challenging to enhance our events and programs while providing the opportunities our students deserve. With this $1 per credit investment, we will able to build on the momentum of the current academic year.”


The campus-wide vote takes place Monday, February 27, through Thursday, March 2, 2023, via electronic ballot on D2L Brightspace.


WHAT: Student Life Fee Referendum Vote

WHEN: Monday, February 27, thru Thursday, March 2, 2023

WHERE: Electronic ballot on D2L Brightspace

More about the Student Life Fee referendum…

If the Student Life Fee increase is passed, the additional money will help expand funding in four priority areas:
  1. Clubs and Small Communities: Invest in the budgets of our small communities and clubs so they can host events, meetings, and attend professional development opportunities.
  2. Campus wide events: Increased offerings for online and in person leadership workshops, social networking events craft events, and more community building opportunities. This also includes expanded prize and food offerings at campus events.
  3. Recreational Sports: Update and maintain equipment, relaunch rental program, extend hours, programming, and fitness class offerings
  4. Student Ambassadors: Expanded peer to peer leadership opportunities, increased student support at events such as Open House, KickOff, student panels and more.
What happens if the Student Life Fee increase doesn’t pass?

Student Senate will move forward with a proposed 2 percent increase to the college president per the Minnesota State Policies. Student Life will need to continue to make cuts to events, and also diminish our ability to approve funding requests from clubs and small communities.

The campus-wide vote takes place Monday, February 27, through Thursday, March 2, 2023, via electronic ballot on D2L Brightspace.

Have questions? We understand that!

Get your questions answered by Student Senate and Student Life members at the following Q & A sessions on campus:

  • Monday, February 27, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Second Level College Center near Food and Resource Center
  • Tuesday, February 28, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Fine Arts Lobby
  • Wednesday, March 1, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • College Center Cafeteria
  • Thursday, March 2, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Heritage Hall
  • Thursday, March 2, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Student Life Front Desk in the College Center

You are also welcome to stop by Student Life in College Center Room 116; or email student_life@inverhills.edu with questions, comments, or concerns. We hope you consider voting in favor of this referendum and expanding opportunities for Inver Hills Community College Students.

Referendum FAQ

What is a referendum?

To put it simply, a referendum is an all-campus vote. For this referendum to pass, we must have 51 percent of the voters vote “yes.” Only Inver Hills registered students are eligible to vote.

What happens if the referendum is not approved?

We will move forward with proposing a 2 percent increase to the Student Life Fee to be approved by Student Senate and campus administration.

Can I opt out of paying that fee?

No, unfortunately, once the fee is voted into place, the fee is for all our students.

I take my classes online: how does the Student Life Fee benefit me?

Many of our clubs operate in a hybrid modality, which means you can connect via Zoom. With expanded resources that can come with the success of this referendum, we plan to create hybrid leadership development opportunities.

Why are these fees being raised?

The combination of keeping fees low, a drop in enrollment, and an increase in costs has cultivated major cuts in budgets throughout the last few years.

How will the fee increase affect my financial aid?

It won’t. Fees are all covered under financial aid.

What happens if I don’t receive financial aid?

The fee will be charged to your tuition as normal.

Where will I be able to see the impact of these fees?

All over campus. Some effects will be obvious, i.e., more campus programs equals increased opportunities, while other effects will be less obvious, but still just as important. You can easily make the money back by attending events with activities and free food!

Learn more about the Student Life Fee Referendum at Inver Hills by contacting:

Kimberly Swinney
Director of Student Life
Inver Hills Community College
651-450-3544
Office: College Center Room 116c

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