爆料社区

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a referendum?
  A referendum is the CSU's formal process for the adjustment of a campus-based mandatory student fee. 爆料社区 students will have the chance to participate in this campus-wide voting process starting Monday, October 21st at 7:00am through Wednesday, October 23rd at 5:00pm. 
• Why is the Recreation fee being raised?

  Due to ever-increasing costs of programs and operations, the services of Campus Recreation have been, and will continue to be, limited. While student demand and growth increases, quality recreation and wellness programs and services are severely restricted on space and resources to serve all students. A new, fully-funded facility will provide increased recreation and wellness resources, will reduce impacts and demand for existing spaces, and will revitalize programs and services for students facilitated in different locations across campus.

• What is the fee used for?

  Currently, the Fee is used for:

  • Salaries and benefits for professional staff who run the department and for student employees who lead excursions, offer fitness & wellness programs, coordinate sport club activities, provide open play, referee intramural games, support marketing and outreach etc.
  • Operation and program costs for all Rec programs including fitness instructors and classes, wellness workshops, annual signature events (Wellness Fair / REC Fest), single day and multi-day excursions, intramural games and tournaments, specialized certification trainings (yoga, Zumba), etc.

  • Subsidized travel costs for outdoor excursions (hiking, backpacking, kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, Outdoor Spring Break, renting campsites, etc.), travel, training, and competition costs for intramural and sports clubs.
  • Insurance for all programs in addition to staff training, certification, professional development, marketing, and outreach costs.
  • Repair or replace equipment/supplies and rent fields as necessary.

   

  The increased fee will pay for:

  • The leasing and operational costs of the facility while increasing full-time, part-time, and student employment.
  • New and expanded wellness initiatives through partnerships with ASI, Cougar Care Network, Student Health & Counseling Services, HOPE & Wellness Center, and academic programs.
  • Improvements in fields and facilities used by Campus Recreation programs.
• Why are you leasing space instead of building a new facility?

  We carefully analyzed the potential cost to students of constructing a similar facility using conventional state funding and on-campus construction processes in 2023. The results of the analysis indicated a potential fee of over $1,000 dollars per semester, which was considered to be far too expensive. Development of the facility through a public-private partnership alongside the new affiliated student housing facility results in significant efficiencies that have reduced both the cost to build and the resulting fee, making it a more feasible approach.

• There was a referendum last Spring, why is there a second one this Fall?

  CSU San Marcos is one of the only CSU campuses without this benchmark facility, which supports recruitment, retention, student mental and physical health outcomes, social mobility and student success.

  Based on student feedback and lessons from the past referendum, significant changes to the design of the facility have been made to reduce the costs. The second referendum presents an opportunity for students to consider a revised proposal with (1) a reduced fee increase, (2) an increase that does not commence until the 2026-27 academic year when the facility opens, and (3) includes programmatic efficiencies for more multi-use, multi-function space to support more diverse programming.

• Will only certain students be able to use the new facility?

  No, the facility is for all enrolled 爆料社区 students that pay the Recreation Fee. For some enrolled students, the Recreation Fee can be opt-in, which can enable access to the facility inclusive of programs and services.

• What is the current fee?

  The current Recreation Fee is $35 per semester.

• What is the proposed fee?

  The proposal would increase the Recreation Fee by $210 per semester, to $245 per semester. The proposed fee increase will not take effect until Fall 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year. To address the inflation over time of costs like utilities, staffing, and equipment, the Recreation Fee will increase by 3% annually which is standard practice for similar fees across the CSU. 

• When would the fee go into effect?
  The increased fee will take effect for the academic year of 2026 - 2027.
• Will my financial aid cover it?

  At 爆料社区, nearly 80% of students are financial aid students. The Recreation Fee is a mandatory student fee, which is factored into the students鈥� total cost of education. Financial aid, including grants and loans, can be used to cover mandatory fees. For any questions related to your financial aid, please connect with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

• How will wellness programs be incorporated into a new facility?
  With a goal of creating intentional student focused programs based on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, this proposed plan includes additional full time and part time staff hires for Wellness Programs.  The addition of one full time wellness staff position in addition to wellness student assistants will build synergy and partnerships with existing wellness service areas including but not limited to ASI, Cougar Pantry, Student, Health & Counseling Services, HOPE & Wellness Center, Cougar Care Network, academic programs and more.  
• What will the proposed new facility provide for students?

  The new facility will provide additional and expanded spaces for student-centered programs and services, create social areas for engagement and skill-building and centralize physical and mental wellness resources to support student success, sense of belonging and community at 爆料社区.

  • • An 鈥渙asis鈥� atmosphere featuring unique program and activity spaces supporting wellness, recreation, relaxation, and social connection to promote sense of belonging, well-being and build community.
    • Active Zone - Over 10,000 square feet for cardio machines, functional fitness, and strength training equipment (more than triple the space of the Clarke Field House Fitness Center)
    • Relaxation Zone - Dedicated wellness areas include mindful reflection space, comfortable lounge seating and massage chairs for students to relax and rest.
    • Rooftop Terrace Zone - Outdoor rooftop deck featuring synthetic turf field for fitness programs, intramurals, sport club workouts, teambuilding, student org events or other student activities. Includes walking / jogging path and lounge space for eating, studying, or socializing.  Possible reservation space for student organization activities or student events.
    • Indoor Courts - Two (2) standard-sized indoor courts suitable for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and events with spectator viewing area. Possible reservation space for student organization activities or student events.
    • Movement Multi-Purpose Rooms - Two (2) Multi-Purpose Rooms (MPR) featuring flexible flooring for a variety of individual and group activities including group fitness classes like Zumba, Hip Hop Dance, strength-based cardio, Yoga, Pilates or mindfulness / meditation sessions. Possible reservation space for student organization activities or student events.
    • Wellness Suite - Connect with wellness staff or peer leaders for resources and skill building workshops or destress in tranquil lounge seating areas, nap pods or massage chairs.
    • Commuter Lounge - Destination for residential and commuter students to access microwaves, food storage lockers, high quality vending, power and Wi-Fi.
    • Esports Digital Collaboration Den - Play and gaming areas for practice, competitions, spectator viewing, studying, and socializing.
    • Outdoor Wellness Courtyard - Secured outdoor courtyard (over 8,000 sq. ft.) providing hammocks, a wood deck patio with both fixed and flexible seating areas.
    • Outdoor Adventures Hub & Rental Center - Provide students access to short term equipment and gear rentals for outdoor and adventure-based outings. Information Center for day and overnight trip registration and pre-travel workshops and trainings.
    • Sport Club / Intramurals Office - Provide program information and registration, student support and equipment storage.
    • Fitness Resource & Assessment Office - Connect with Fitness & Wellness staff or a Personal Trainer for orientations or guided workouts, complete fitness assessments or develop physical activity and nutritional plans.
    • Gender Inclusive changing rooms and restrooms
    • New Student Employment Opportunities (Anticipated 70 student assistant positions)
• Who can vote?

  All matriculated students who pay the Recreation Fee are eligible to vote.

• How do I vote?

  On October 21, 2024, you will receive an email directing you to information about your ballot and where to vote.  This will be sent to you email listed as your primary email in My爆料社区.

• When can I vote?

  Online voting will begin at 7:00am on Monday, October 21 and be open until 5:00pm on Wednesday, October 23.   Ballots will be emailed to eligible students via their university-registered email addresses. An authentication survey link will be featured on the referendum website during voting dates. 

*All renderings are subject to change