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Proposed Student Fee Increase

2025 Student Fee Increase

In spring 2025, Fresno State's Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) began providing oversight to an alternative consultation process to consider adjusting existing campus mandatory (Category II) fees. In April 2025, President Jiménez-Sandoval approved a $495 annual increase to the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) fee, effective Fall 2025. This decision was not made lightly, with the goal of expanding the university’s ability to support students and address issues that matter most to them. Fresno State remains deeply committed to enhancing academic success, strengthening student support services, and enriching student life, which are vital to a rewarding college experience. See President Jiménez-Sandoval's April 1 memo to the Campus Fee Advisory Committee following the conclusion of the alternative consultation process. 

Student Fee Increase Memo

 

Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) Fees

Instructionally related activities (IRA), as defined in Education Code 89230, are “those activities and laboratory experiences that are at least partially sponsored by an academic discipline or department and that are…integrally related to its formal instructional offerings. Activities that are considered to be essential to a quality educational program and an important instructional experience for any student enrolled in the respective program may be considered instructionally related activities”. All student fees collected for IRA are governed by this code section and the California State University, Fresno Student Fees policy, regardless of how they are allocated. 

Student fees charged for IRA are part of a variety of mandatory student fees charged by the campus (a full list and breakdown can be found on this Accounting Services webpage under “Campus Mandatory Fee Allocation”). Note that other fee types will have different requirements/guidance than the IRA fees.
 
 

IRA Fee Allocations

Prior to the fee increase, the IRA fee was $264 per student per year. These funds remain allocated to Athletics, Academic Projects and ASI Co-curricular Activities, with the latter two awarded through a process managed by the IRA Fee Committee.

However, the additional funding from the fee increase approved in April 2025, which added $495 per student per year, is distributed differently—supporting a set of programs and initiatives outlined in the dropdown menu below. The fees are allocated directly to these programs for their use, with any remaining funds rolling forward into the next fiscal year. The President reserves the right to adjust the allocations or use the funds for other eligible IRA programs. While amounts have been outlined as to estimated fee revenue generated for each program, the actual fee revenue will be based on the amount of fees collected (net of fee waivers, uncollectible amounts, etc.).
 


See Your Fees at Work

Here are a few highlights of how the student fees have been used to support student success: 

  • Hired student staff across key roles, including six career mentors, three career coaches, two clothing closet associates, and three marketing team members. 
  • Acquired Candoor Student Mentoring Platform
  • Collaborating with Financial Aid to establish a disbursement strategy for Bulldog Experience Grants for students in required, unpaid internships.

  • Increased the number of student staff for the Collegian from 21 to 31, and increased the number of budgeted hours for students from approximately 9,000 to 16,500 hours for the academic year.
  • Increased the budget for each of the Ethnic Supplement news divisions (Hye Sharzhoom, Asian Pacific Review, La Voz De Aztlan and Uhuru Na Umoja).
  • Increased the number of Collegian print editions from 4/yr to 8/yr.
  • Provided funds for increased promotions, student travel, new computers and the movement of workstations to accomodate increased student staff.  

  • Created five new student assistant positions to support the development, implementation, and recruitment for service projects open to all Fresno State students.
  • Increased paid service learning opportunities and hourly student positions through programs such as Scholars in Service and Fresno State College Corps.

  • Increased course support (SI and Tutoring) from 32.5% to 39.6% of undergraduate courses, marking a 7% increase in course pairing.
  • Hired 32 student employees, providing more opportunities for peer learning and leadership development.

  • Began upgrades to the new testing space to create a distraction-free environment.
  • Hired two new Student Assistant Proctors who have initiated outreach and accommodation support.

  • Collaborating with ASI to purchase and install vending machines to increase after-hours and campus-wide food access.
  • Partnering with Graduate Services to establish the first Satellite Student Cupboard for graduate students.
  • Replaced refrigeration equipment.

  • This campus shuttle service was launched on November 3, 2025. The shuttle operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Convenient stops include Bulldog Lane, Millbrook Avenue, Campus Drive (North Gym), the Save Mart Center parking lot, and Campus Pointe. Coming soon: new stop and bus signage and real-time vehicle tracking with live arrival estimates.

  • Hosted two family-centered campus events, connected with 1,647 parent scholars and distributed school supplies to 274 families, benefitting more than 500 children. 
  • Kicked off the 6-month Parenting Students Community of Practice.
  • Provided over $40,000 in services, including providing meal plans to unhoused commuters and low-income student parents, paying for students' books and school supplies.
  • Hired student assistants.

  • Hosted major community-building events, including Welcome Week, Dia de Los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, Queer Talk, Care Closet, Sistah-to-Sistah, Student Employee Orientation.

  • Expanded club grants, increased support for underfunded programs and events, and enhanced student life.
  • $40,000 has already been awarded in club grants across club sports, sponsored activity, booster and new club grant programs.

  • Completed Basketball backboard adjustment, maintenance, and safety inspection.

  • Supported new uniforms, equipment upgrades, instrument repairs, and instructional staffing, most of which could not have been possible otherwise. 

FAQs

Yes. Fresno State has the third-lowest student fees in the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system. Even with the proposed increase, total fees still remain below the CSU average and those at our Valley sister-universities, CSU Bakersfield and Stan State.  

The fee increase took effect in Fall 2025.

The student fee increase directly enhances the student experience at Fresno State by addressing key needs identified by students. Informed by student feedback, funds are allocated to expand academic support services like tutoring and career preparation, remove barriers to student success through improved access to resources, and enrich campus life with more social and competitive experiences.

The California State University system has established two mechanisms for increasing fees as outlined in Executive Order 1102. The mechanism identified for this proposed fee increase is alternative consultation.

Alternative consultation enables the university to meaningfully engage the campus community regarding the proposed fee. Open forums were held to ensure that students understood the fees and had the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

The Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) compiled and analyzed student feedback, engaged in committee discussions, and ultimately made a recommendation to President Jiménez-Sandoval based on student feedback.

President Jiménez-Sandoval was responsible for making the final campus decision. Once approved by the president, the recommendation moved on to the CSU Chancellor for final review and approval.

CFAC is a campus committee consisting of students, faculty, staff and administrators. Learn more about the committee's activity.