Student Enhancement Fee
What does an undergraduate student's enhancement fee provide?
The Student Enhancement fee of $300 is applicable to undergraduates and the funds go directly to Student Life to help subsidize important student activities such as events and concerts, cultural programs, wellness programs, and other student initiatives.
The Enhancement Fee Committee, comprised of undergraduate students and Student Life staff, allocated $392,8000 in fall 2024 for events that both occurred in the Fall Term and will occur in January and Spring Terms. Applications continue to be accepted and further allocation will be forthcoming!
Categories Include:
Go Big: These are the large-scale, fun events! Fall Events included the Saddle Up Fall Fest, Preacher Lawson show, HalloWeekend & Glow Dance, fitness classes, Battle of the Halls & First Year Olympics, and various other campus-wide activities. The Go Big category is intended to be large events that create memorable experiences for students. Spring 2025 events will include a WinterFest, Carnival, casino night, and other campus-wide experiences.
Belonging: This category is intended to help students feel a greater sense of belonging on campus. With deliberate attention to fostering students’ sense of connection to Saint Mary’s, events from fall 2024 that were captured by this category included enhanced welcome events, the diversity dance, programming & support around the election, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Spring 2025 events will include the annual Cultural Celebration, increased events sponsored in the recreation center, and events as part of International Women’s Month and sexual assault awareness month.
Exploration: The category of exploration includes the outdoor adventure program, which has gone on river rafting, camping, taken trips to Santa Cruz and Monterey, and off-campus glass blowing trips. These, free, once in a lifetime opportunities take advantage of the local Bay Area and will continue in spring with a variety of new events.
Wellness: Supporting students’ mind, body, and soul, the wellness category is intended to support student success by offering activities and initiatives that nourish students. Through TimelyCare, the campus now offers 365/24/7 support to all students including counseling services, medical appointments, and on-demand workshops and support. Wellness initiatives included increased fitness classes (yoga, pilates, spin, etc.), a new series of events during Veterans Week, guest speakers and workshops, and support for student events surrounding health and wellbeing such as the wellness fair and stress management fairs. Spring events will include continued wellness fairs (including popular animal therapy), additional fitness classes, and further student engagement opportunities.
Student Development: The category of student development provides opportunities for students to develop their skills and talents through engaging and intentional programming. These activities are intended to enhance student engagement and have supported leadership development and student website opportunities, including a leadership conference, micro-grants for student-driven events, and the development of leadership programs.
2024-2025 Enhancement Fee Proposals
The application for the 2024-2025 student enhancement fee is now open! We recommend first reviewing the application to ensure you have all of the information & materials that are requested. Utilize the chart below to prepare your application materials.
2024-2025 Enhancement Fee Application
What happens once I submit an application?
- A member of the Enhancement Fee Committee will email you with any questions or comments.
- The Enhancement Fee Committee will review the materials and determine: a) approval; b) need for further information or modification; c) denial or request to re-submit. This process takes 2-3 weeks.
- The Chair, or designee, will contact the collaborators with the results of the application. If approved, details on next steps will be included.
The Enhancement Fee Committee includes representatives from Student Life departments including members of the Intercultural Center, Campus Rec & Club Sports, CARE/Wellness, Residential Experience, Student Disabilities Services, Campus Safety, and students including an at-large undergraduate student, Associated Students Vice President for Student Organizations, Associated Students Vice President for Finance, and Chair of the Campus Activities Board. The Vice President of Student Life serves as the Chair of the committee and is a non-voting member.
SMC Student Life
Enhancement Fee Funded Activities
