Questions Arise Concerning SAB Budget

As discussions about the Student Activities Board circulate across campus, questions about funding, attendance and transparency have become crucial to conversations about SAB. While many students say they enjoy SAB’s event planning, others argue that the organization’s budget doesn’t align with active participation. 

SAB oversees a wide range of events throughout the year, from craft-based activities to large-scale performances. These events are funded through the student activity fee included in tuition — a cost that many students say they didn’t realize they were paying. With SAB planning its Spring schedule, both board members and students are weighing what kinds of events best serve the campus community. 

SAB treasurer Matthew Freitag, a senior member of the board, has served in multiple roles since joining during the fall of 2023. 

“If students aren’t coming to events, we want to know why. It’s ultimately their money we’re using,” Freitag said. 

Freitag explained that the Board relies heavily on student input. Surveys, suggestion boxes and committee discussions help determine what events are planned, giving students a direct role in shaping the program. 

“Our budget is public on our website. We want to be transparent, and we use student feedback to decide where the money goes,” Freitag said. 

While SAB posts its budget online and encourages feedback, students juggling classes, work and other commitments may not always notice how their tuition supports campus events. 

Many students say they were unaware that tuition dollars support SAB. Graduate student Cole Renshaw said he only recently realized he contributed to the budget. 

“I’d like them to elaborate more on the student activities fee. I didn’t have the availability to attend, and I kind of paid for it regardless,” Renshaw said.

Renshaw explained that because he is unable to attend events, he should have more of a choice regarding the student activity fee. 

Even for students who enjoy SAB’s events, schedule conflicts and awareness of funding can affect participation. Many students live busy lives, which can make attending events difficult, even if they are interested. 

Junior Rachael Agoncillo said she has no negative opinions about SAB and appreciates the events she’s been able to attend. 

“I don’t really have any negative opinions on SAB,” Agocillo said. “I really liked the rock painting and pickling events they did. If I have time in my schedule, like between classes and they’re on the quad or something, I love stopping by.”

Agoncillo also noted that attendance often depends on timing and suggested that transparency and marketing might improve turnout. 

“If it’s not conveniently in my schedule, I’m probably not going to go out of my way to go,” Agoncillo said. “I feel maybe some like transparency about that, and maybe people would show up to events more often, like if you’re like just so you know whenever you pay your tuition and stuff, the activities fee is going to SAB.”

“I’d like to see more bands play. I think it would be really fun if someone like Breanden Urie or AJR showed up,” junior Natalie Whipple said. 

Freitag explained the board would love to bring more recognizable names to campus, but large-scale concerts come with a significant price tag. 

“It all comes down to money. Bigger names need a bigger budget, and right now we just don’t have the funds for a $100,000 artist,” Freitag said. 

Freitag said SAB welcomes concerns, suggestions and participation. SAB holds public meetings every Thursday at 6 pm. 

“If anybody has any suggestions … we have a suggestion box in our Linktree linked in our Instagram,” Freitag said. “We love to see our suggestion box used. We want to be transparent with the student population. We want people to know about SAB.”