December 28, 1992

CHANCELLORS

Dear Colleagues:

As you know, we have been considering a proposed pledge mechanism as a means of implementing a voluntary student fee in support of a registered campus organization. Under the proposed pledge system, a student would affirmatively pledge to pay the fee, which is assessed on the student's individual billing statement. The voluntary student fee would then be collected from the student each term unless revoked in an appropriate manner.

This pledge mechanism has been reviewed by Office of the President staff and the Office of the General Counsel. We have concluded that it is consistent with existing University policy and that it complies with the definition of a positive check off mechanism for collecting voluntary student fees. Given this, campuses may use this pledge mechanism if they so choose.

Based on our discussions, I am issuing the enclosed Guidelines for Implementing Voluntary Student Fee Pledge System to assist those of you who have registered campus organizations on your campuses that want to implement such a mechanism. These Guidelines are based on University and campus policies and incorporate suggested revisions made during our consultation process. They are effective immediately.

The Guidelines are based on a number of assumptions, including the following:

  1. To ensure that implementation conforms to Universitywide and campus policies and regulations, written agreements between the campus and the registered student organizations should be executed to address the campus specific parameters for collecting a voluntary student fee using a pledge mechanism. Agreements should address such issues as accountability, the duration of the agreement, and circumstances that may trigger a student referendum.

  2. Should issues arise that are not addressed specifically by the Guidelines or, in the event that the Guidelines are not consistent with campus procedures, University and campus regulations should be followed.

  3. Consistent with University policy, the procedures should ensure that administrative costs associated with collecting the voluntary student fee are borne fully by the registered student organization, regardless of the amount of voluntary student fees actually collected.

  4. Actual costs incurred will be charged to the registered student organization and will be kept as low as possible. Implementing procedures will conform to the technical limitations of existing registration and billing systems.

  5. Students will be informed fully on how the pledge mechanism works, including methods to initiate and revoke a pledge.

It is my understanding that several campus CalPIRG organizations have expressed interest in implementing this pledge mechanism. Campuses with prior CalPIRG contracts may initiate contract negotiations and begin collecting pledges in advance of student referenda.

Cordially,

J . Peltason

Enclosure

cc: Interim Senior Vice President Schwartz
Vice President Baker