College Based Academic Fees

WVIT College Based Fee Process

The WVIT College Based Fee student advising committee along with their selected faculty members meet regularly throughout the academic year to:

1. Discuss needs for the academic program;
2. Recommend an expenditure plan to the Department Head;
3. Provide oversight on how expenditures are occurring.

Progress reports and information regarding the College Based Fees should regularly be posted on the WVIT website (wvit.calpoly.edu).

Committee Structure

• Faculty membership will be on a committee service basis for the Wine and Viticulture Department.
• Student membership will be based on recommendations of the faculty. The six students should represent a breadth of grade levels and concentrations from within the major. Appointment of new student members will ensue upon graduation of current student members. Prior to becoming committee members, new members will be required to attend one meeting as an orientation before their membership commences.
• The chair of the committee will be selected from among the six student members. A vice chair will also be selected who will serve in the chair capacity if the chair is absent. A third student will serve as secretary to take minutes of the meetings.

Expenditures in 2017-18 for WVIT

• approximately 97% of funds spent are being used for salaries and benefits (faculty and student assistant)

Expenditures in 2016-17 for WVIT

• approximately 97% of funds spent are being used for salaries and benefits (faculty and student assistant);
• An additional 10% will be used for viticulture lab equipment; enology lab supplies; senior project supplies

Expenditures in 2015-16 for WVIT

• approximately 97% of funds spent are being used for salaries and benefits (faculty and student assistant);
• An additional 10% will be used for viticulture lab equipment; enology lab supplies; senior project supplies

History and Purpose

In 2002, Cal Poly students passed the College Based Academic Fee (CBF) initiative, mandating an increase in tuition for the purpose of initiating and funding the College Based Fees program. Since then, the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) College Based Fees Committee has been dedicated to promoting student development and enhancing educational quality for students of the college. Each year, approximately 10 percent of the fees are allocated to the college to fund college-wide initiatives, while approximately 90 percent were passed through to each student’s respective department to fund department-level initiatives.

At the college level, a CAFES College Based Fee Committee worked with the Dean to determine how the funds were to be allocated. The committee consisted of a student chair, selected by the Dean, and one student representative from each department within CAFES. The committee met quarterly to review expenditure proposals.

Funding of college-level initiatives from 2002 through 2009 consisted of both permanent allocations (funding computer technicians) and one-time expenditures for items used by multiple departments. Starting in 2009, the base budget from state dollars allocated to CAFES declined significantly, reaching a low point in 2011 (a decrease of $3.2 million).  The CAFES’s College Based Fee committee recognized the need and agreed to allocate all CBF funds to keep essential functions going. This resulted in funds being directed for faculty and staff salaries.

By 2014, base budgeting still had not returned to previous levels, and was approximately $1.4 million less than the 2008 high. As a result, CAFES’s CBF funds continue to be used to support faculty and staff positions to ultimately support student success. As this deficit declines, it is anticipated that funding will be available for student-directed initiatives in the future.