“I believe that the Student Activity Fee will work wonders for student life at Roosevelt University. Instead of coming to campus only for class, students will have the opportunity to experience films, concerts, speakers, and performers with fellow students, both on campus and off. Essentially, the Student Activity Fee will transform Roosevelt University from an institution to a gathering place for students, both commuters and residents alike. More importantly, the student organizations will finally receive the funding they deserve to organize incredible programs that will enhance student life and foster a sense of community. I am glad that students have voted to invest in their own co-curricular lives through the Student Activity Fee, and I am excited to see what opportunities will arise as a result of this addition to campus life.” Ashley Kehoe, English Literature ‘07

SPEED Activities Board

The Student Activity Fee

The student activity fee of $25 each semester (fall and spring only for Chicago and Schaumburg Campus students) was designed to improve the caliber of activities and programs on campus. This fee allows student organizations more funding opportunities, as well as allow students to experience a variety of enhanced programs, such as comedians, hypnotists, musical performances, and speakers. In addition, discounted tickets to area events are available in larger quantities to students. This means more opportunities for Roosevelt students to get connected to the campus community.

History

During the 2005-06 academic year, the Student Government Association (SGA) of Roosevelt University recognized a number of trends in the student population, such as a sharp rise in registered student organizations, and a drastic increase in the aggregate amount of funds requested by the organizations.  Furthermore, statistical data indicated a rise in enrollment of traditional aged students at Roosevelt University, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. In response to the changing nature of the Roosevelt University student population, the SGA proposed a Student Activity Fee (SAF) in order to enhance the quality of campus life through co-curricular events and opportunities and to better fund the efforts of student organizations.

The SAF, proposed at $25 per fall and spring semester to be charged to all degree-seeking students, was voted on by the constituency and was approved with a 58.6% majority in favor of implementing the fee. The student programming board, hereby be referred to as Students Programming for Enrichment, Enlightenment, and Development (SPEED) Activities Board, was subsequently established to exhaust all funds generated by the SAF through co-curricular events and opportunities.

“I think the SAF is an important advancement at Roosevelt, because for the first time Roosevelt will be able to compete with other schools in programming.  The money raised will provide bigger and better events.  No longer will there be "poster events," but there can be public speakers, cartoon artists, comedians, and musicians.  Besides this, ticket sales is going to get a huge boost.  There can be a larger supply of tickets, better seats, and low prices for students.  I think the most important thing that is going to come out of the Student Activity Fee is the community and atmosphere it creates.  Students are going to want to stay on campus because there are finally events that are cool, interesting enough to entice them to stay.” Nicole Hamblin, Secondary Education ‘06

Student Activity Fee Passes

This proposal has been endorsed by Dr. Charles R. Middleton, President of Roosevelt University, and has been voted upon and passed by the Board of Trustees at the June 16, 2006 meeting. The SAF will generate funds to assist with the cultural, recreational, co-curricular, entertainment, and artistic needs of RU students. The funds collected through this fee are assessed each semester, and the SPEED Activities Board plans activities and administer programs throughout the year to enhance student life at Roosevelt University.

Are you interested in building leadership while planning fun events?

Do you like working with people? Do you like planning and preparing social gatherings? Do you like to serve as a leader in the community? Do you like working on a team? Do you like learning about and planning cultural and educational events? Are you a good motivator? Do you like working in an action-packed team environment? Do you like learning about and planning musical concerts, movies, or speakers?

The SPEED Activities Board is made up of eight Roosevelt students at each campus, and their main role is to plan and implement activities for the students of Roosevelt University. This provides wonderful employment opportunities for the student leaders who comprise the SPEED Activities Board. Applications may be downloaded from the link below, and must be completed and turned in to the Center for Student Involvement, HCC 105 in Chicago, or the Center for Campus Life, Room 430 in Schaumburg.

• SPEED By-Laws (PDF, 58K)

We want your input! Please suggest programs you would like to see at Roosevelt. We are always looking for your great ideas for programs. Past and future programs include:

• Concerts and performances by artists
• Family-oriented fun, including picnics, carnivals and movie nights
• Discounted tickets to local events, including theater, sports, and movies
• Public speaking appearances

“The Student Activity Fee is going to change how students look at campus life. It’s such a small fee, but think of what it can do: bring in movies, performers, seminars . . . the sky’s the limit! Best $25 I’ve ever spent!” Melissa Ferdinand, English ‘07

For comments, ideas, concerns, or questions, please contact SPEED at either campus via email:
SPEEDChicago@roosevelt.edu or SPEEDSchaumburg@roosevelt.edu.