Dear ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay community,
I am writing today to begin the process to potentially increase the athletics fee portion of ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay’s mandatory student fees. This proposal has been initiated by the Athletics program and represents the first athletics fee increase since 2008. The proposed fee increase is intended to address current athletics budget shortfalls, primarily due to inflation over many years, and to sustain the programs and services for students consistent with the original intent of this fee.
To ensure the broadest and most inclusive fee proposal review process possible, I’ve asked the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) to lead an alternative consultation process during the remainder of Spring semester 2026. CFAC will oversee the process, including the creation of a comprehensive communication plan and multiple opportunities to keep relevant stakeholder groups within the campus community informed and meaningfully engaged in weighing in on the proposed fee increase.
ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay remains committed to maintaining affordability for students in its cost of attendance. During the alternative consultative process, CFAC will share how our overall mandatory student fees compare to other CSUs as well as how the proposed new athletics fee portion compares to other CSUs. Given the remarkable success of our student athletes—particularly men’s basketball—a strong athletics program supports and advances our outreach, community engagement, and enrollment goals.
The proposed changes to the athletics fee would be phased in over three semesters starting in Spring 2027 and would increase from $64.50 per student per semester to $158.50 per student per semester over the period as follows:
- Spring 2027: $108.50 per semester ($44 increase)
- Fall 2027: $133.50 per semester (additional $25 increase)
- Spring 2028: $158.50 per semester (additional $25 increase)
An annual inflation adjustment would be implemented thereafter, beginning in Fall 2028, to help the program keep up with inflation more gradually.
Over the coming weeks, students will have several opportunities to learn more about the proposal and share their feedback through campus presentations and Town Halls. More information about dates, times, locations, and the overall process can be found on the corresponding website below:
Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Cathy Sandeen
President
April 8, 2026