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Student Fee Advisory Committee

The Student Fee Advisory Committee met Friday to discuss part of the budgeting for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The committee discussed the budgeting for: the Food Pantry, Student Life, the Spirit Program, the Center for Student Involvement, the Student Government Association, Student Media, the Chess Program and Student Activities.

Ismael Amaya, dean of Students and chair of the Student Fee Advisory Committee, talks about the budget for different programs during the SFAC meeting today in the University Center on the Edinburg campus. Also pictured is Maricela Zarate, an administrative associate.
Jose Rodriguez/THE RIDER — Ismael Amaya, dean of Students and chair of the Student Fee Advisory Committee, talks about the budget for different programs during the SFAC meeting today in the University Center on the Edinburg campus. Also pictured is Maricela Zarate, an administrative associate.
**Jose Rodriguez/THE RIDER**

The committee consists of: Ismael Amaya, dean of Students and SFAC chair; Marcela de Leon, director of Business Analytics and Academic Strategies; Peter-James Ehimika, director of Student Success Initiatives; Erica Giles, lecturer; Dr. Cameron Ortega, assistant professor; Elva Valle, student representative; Samantha Lopez, student representative; Andrea Maldonado, student representative; Odalys Saenz, student representative; and Tanja Visoiu, student representative.

Amaya said the main purpose of SFAC is to review funding proposals and give recommendations to the president.

“It’s the job of the committee to assess what they think is important to enhance the student experience,” Amaya said. “The funding we get is based on enrollment so, when we get an increase [in the budget], it is generally because of an increase in enrollment.”

Last year, the funding was at $4.6 million and the budget request for this year is at $5.5 million, according to financial manager Yazmin Sanchez.

“That’s almost a $1 million difference that, if it is in line with the prior year, we’ll have to adjust,” Sanchez said.

According to Amaya, the Food Pantry is a continuing request. The wages are used to hire student employees and operating funds are used for food purchases, promotional items and events.

Student Life is requesting more than $12,500 for wages and $8,100 in operating expenses. Overall, there was no increase in the wage request except for benefits.

It is also requesting $16,148 for travel, membership and participation in the Association for Training for Youth Advisors, the Association of Fraternity Leadership and Values West conferences.

Ismael Amaya talks through the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year of 2026 during the SFAC meeting today in the University Center on the Edinburg campus. Also shown are Maricela Zarate (from left), administrative associate; Odalys Saenz, student representative; and Yazmin Sanchez, financial manager.
Jose Rodriguez/THE RIDER — Ismael Amaya talks through the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year of 2026 during the SFAC meeting today in the University Center on the Edinburg campus. Also shown are Maricela Zarate (from left), administrative associate; Odalys Saenz, student representative; and Yazmin Sanchez, financial manager.
**Jose Rodriguez/THE RIDER**

The Spirit Program requested a slight increase in salaries, which is based on longevity adjustments and merit increases. There are no requests for new positions or a major salary increase. There was no increase in student wages nor operating expenses.

However, there is an increase in travel of $64,084 to cover football, with seven home and four away games. The request would also include coverage of the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament. There is also an additional request for $15,000 for scholarships.

“I think the only thing that really jumped out to me was home-gaming expenses,” Giles said. “It is just interesting to me that there’s such a large cost for home games as well. I understand the away games, absolutely.”

The Center for Student Involvement is requesting $11,500 for position change and adjustment to those positions. There was no increase in wages nor operating expenses. The travel request is under $4,000.

The Student Government Association is requesting an additional $155 for benefits, with no increase in wages. It is also requesting $30,000 for operating expenses, but it is not an increase from last year, $5,500 for travel, and $26,400 for scholarships.

The Student Media Department has a continuing request with some increase. There is a $50,000 payroll cost added to the salary request. Operating expenses have no increase, with it being a little under $13,000. There was a travel increase by $4,500 that is justified to accommodate increased mileage rates and traveling to the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference.

The Chess Program has no salary- nor a wage-increase request. There was an increase for operating expenses, a request of $20,000, which is an increase of $8,421. There is a $48,078 increase in travel due to wanting to make the women’s team competitive for the National Collegiate Women’s Championship. The program currently only supports 10 men and five women.

Student Activities and Campus Activities is requesting a $6,000 increase in salaries and $2,500 for wages for student employees. There is also an increase of $50,000 for the operating funds, which support expanding the program, marketing and activities. There is also an increase in travel of $3,000.

The next SFAC meeting will take place 2:30 p.m. today in University Center Room 323 on the Edinburg campus. For more information, visit the committee’s website.

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