Fall 2019 Alternative Consultation: Student Health & Wellness Fee Proposed Increase
INFORMATION PAMPHLET
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
PROPOSED INCREASE OF STUDENT HEALTH & WELLNESS FEE
Executive Summary
A proposed Student Health and Wellness Fee increase (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee) shall be determined through a series of public forums and consultations with interested, regularly-enrolled students at San Diego State University, except those exclusively attending Imperial Valley Campus. The Student Health and Wellness Fee increase amounts for consideration are $55, $61 or $73 per semester (during fall and spring) and $20, $22 or $27 for the summer term beginning fall 2020. Moreover, it is proposed that the total Student Health and Wellness Fee be adjusted annually by the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), beginning fall 2021. Revenue generated from this proposed increase will sustain existing, and allow the hiring of additional counseling faculty and staff to meet the mental health needs of SDSU students.
Open Forum Times
Please visit sdsu.edu/alternativeconsult for the most current list of scheduled forums.
Background
Basic mental health services are provided on campus to enhance the academic performance of matriculated students and to facilitate their retention. Mental health problems can impact students’ concentration and focus, overall mental ability, energy level, and optimism, hindering academic performance. As an example, depression is associated with lower grade point averages and has been linked to dropping out of school.
Counseling & Psychological Services (C&PS) has a demonstrated commitment to serving students in comprehensive ways along the continuum of care from prevention to intervention to management of imminent crises. Tens of thousands of students have been assisted by the department via the robust and innovative clinical services, provided both inside and outside the office. Since 2011, the number of students seeking C&PS services has increased by over 100% and the demand for crisis intervention has increased by 170%. To improve coping and other skills to improve academic success and prevent the occurrence of crises, programming provided along the entire continuum of care should continue. Of note, crisis services, since they cannot be postponed, negatively impact wait times for scheduled treatment appointments. These increases are occurring across the U.S. and are predicted to continue in future years.
The service delivery model at C&PS focuses on strategic outreach to the campus community. To effectively engage in prevention, programming must occur outside the office via presentations, facilitated interactions, drop-in informal consultation, and many others. Although the clinical services in the office are heavily utilized, reaching students in non-traditional ways who may be reticent to seek professional help in the department, is a strong value.
It is important to impact the campus at the community level, engaging all partners. C&PS faculty therapists provide training for faculty, staff, and students to support students in distress and connect them to resources.
Uses of Health and Wellness Fee Revenue
This alternative consultation process seeks student input regarding the proposed increase of the Health and Wellness Fee, effective fall 2020, between $55 and $73 per semester (fall and spring) and between $20 and $27 for the summer term (see Financial Analysis). The additional revenue will allow the University to sustain existing and hire additional counseling faculty and staff to meet the mental health needs of SDSU students through improved access and increased outreach and programming.
C&PS is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS), which provides guidance regarding the standards of practice for mental health services in the university setting. Increasing counseling center staff will allow the University to attain the standard set forth by IACS, which is a ratio of one therapist to between 1000 and 1500 students. The current C&PS therapist-to-student ratio falls short of the standard, impacting the services offered. The current ratio for fall 2019 is 1:1813.
While the current ratio falls short of the standard, this ratio has improved in recent years, a result of increased funding from the Student Health and Wellness Fee (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee). This fee is currently $150.00 per semester and supports services offered by Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Well-being & Health Promotion and Student Ability Success Center.
The therapist-to-student ratio has decreased steadily since 2015 when it was 1:2857 as compared to the current 1:1813. Investments have been made in recent years to hire additional therapists in an attempt to address rapidly growing demand. The increase in demand has outpaced the investments. Moreover, the budget cannot sustain the investments and additional funding is needed to support the existing staffing levels and augment the department with additional staff to best serve the needs of SDSU students.
Summary of the Issue
A recommendation in favor of the fee increase means:
- Beginning fall 2020, the Student Health and Wellness fee will increase to an amount between $55 and $73 per semester (fall and spring) and between $20 and $27 for summer term and will be adjusted annually by the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), beginning fall 2021.
- Increased access to mental health services on campus, including reduced wait times for treatment.
- Additional primary prevention, intervention, and consultative program offerings.
- An increase in the number of therapists will allow for greater diversity in the range of services provided, areas of expertise, theoretical modality and race and ethnicity in the department.
A recommendation in opposition to the proposed increase of the Health and Wellness fee means:
- The Student Health and Wellness Fee will remain $150 per semester (fall and spring) and $110 for summer term.
- Access to mental health services will become more impacted, as demand for treatment and crisis services rises.
- Preventive and consultative program offerings will be reduced, to divert necessary resources to supporting immediate crises.
- Revenues from an increased fee will not be available to support counseling faculty positions therefore existing ratios will be maintained or may decrease.
Financial Analysis
The proposed adjustment to the Student Health and Wellness Fee (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee), if adopted, will increase the fee, not including students exclusively attending the Imperial Valley Campus, equal to $55, $61 or $73 per semester (during fall and spring) and equal to $20, $22 or $27 for the summer term beginning fall 2020. It will be adjusted annually by the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), beginning fall 2021.
The Student Health and Wellness Fee (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee) is currently $150.00 per semester and supports services offered by Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Well-being & Health Promotion and Student Ability Success Center. If this fee increase is approved, the Student Health and Wellness Fee (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee) will be adjusted from $150.00 to either $205, $211 or $223 per semester (fall and spring) and from $110 to $130, $132 or $137 during the summer term.
This proposal will also include a 3 percent return to aid component to help to offset the impact of this fee increase.
Current Student Health and Wellness Fee (currently referred to as the Health Services Fee):
| Health and Wellness total fee with proposed increase, effective fall 2020 | |||||
| Current Fee |
Option 1 1:1500 student to therapist ratio |
Option 2 1:1300 student to therapist ratio |
Option 3 1:1000 student to therapist ratio |
||
|
Fall |
$150 | $205 | $211 | $223 | [a] |
|
Spring |
$150 | $205 | $211 | $223 | [a] |
|
Summer |
$110 | $130 | $132 | $137 | [a] |
[a] Annual fee increase based on Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) starting in fall 2021
Fee Revenues
Option 1:
A fee increase to support mental health of $55 per semester (fall and spring), and $20 per summer term is estimated to generate approximately $3.8 million of additional fee revenue. This fee increase will support the Counseling and Psychological Services existing and additional operations to bring their therapists to a 1 to 1500 ratio and provide critical infrastructure support such as a 24-hours SDSU access line and case managers to supplement the services provided by the therapists.
Option 2:
A fee increase to support mental health of $61 per semester (fall and spring), and $22 per summer term is estimated to generate approximately $4.2 million of additional fee revenue. This fee increase will support the Counseling and Psychological Services existing and additional operations to bring their therapists to a 1 to 1300 ratio and provide critical infrastructure support such as a 24-hours SDSU access line and case managers to supplement the services provided by the therapists.
Option 3:
A fee increase to support mental health of $73 per semester (fall and spring), and $27 per summer term is estimated to generate approximately $5 million of additional fee revenue. This fee increase will support the Counseling and Psychological Services existing and additional operations to bring their therapists to a 1 to 1000 ratio and provide critical infrastructure support such as a 24-hours SDSU access line and case managers to supplement the services provided by the therapists.
|
Option 1 - 1:1500 student to therapist ratio |
Option 2 - 1:1300 student to therapist ratio |
Option 3 - 1:1000 student to therapist ratio |
|
|
Estimated Total Fee Revenue |
$3,797,500 | $4,210,500 | $5,043,500 |
|
Estimated Total Expenses |
$3,797,500 | $4,210,500 | $5,043,500 |
|
Therapist Costs |
$2,479,147 | $2,879,757 | $3,687,767 |
|
Case Managers and Interns |
$506,400 | $506,400 | $506,400 |
|
Infrastructure Costs: staffing |
$556,028 | $556,028 | $556,028 |
| Infrastructure Costs: other operating expenses | $142,000 | $142,000 | $142,000 |
| Return to Aid (3% of revenue from proposed fee) | $113,925 | $126,315 | $151,305 |
Prepared by the Campus Fee Advisory Committee
Statement in Favor of Increasing the Student Health & Wellness Fee
I think we need more mental health professionals available for counseling sessions on campus, and adding a fee that can be covered by financial aid will help students without health insurance get access to quality therapy. I have needed mental health services several times in college and had to be put on a waitlist to see a counselor, but seeing a professional at a private practice was too expensive. I think the fee amount per semester is a good value if we can have increased access to regular counseling sessions. Thanks!
Charlotte Roberts, SDSU Senior
Statement Against Increasing the Student Health & Wellness Fee
I am against this price increase because as is, I am already struggling to pay for costs associated to attending SDSU. I am in debt and would have to take out more loans to cover this increase. Even at the minimum of $55 per semester, that’s an extra $110 a year. That money is usually used toward other expenses like textbooks, but now I would have to spend it on this fee. Another reason I am against this is because I personally do not use the wellness or health center. I would be forced to pay for something I do not use. As a commuter student, I feel the extra $110 would be paying for someone who lives on campus to be using these resources. Making an appointment at school is a hassle compared to making one somewhere closer to home. The lower wait times does not get rid of this hassle. Also someone who normally wouldn’t use this resource could start using it to make use of their money spent. Therefore it would increase the wait time or at least not follow the exact decreased times presented in the plan.
Jayleen Ballesteros, SDSU Junior
Submit a comment/question to CFAC at [email protected].