The Alumni Association at CU is developing a new way for students to network with a proposed $70 matriculation fee for all incoming freshman and transfer students.
Ronald Stump, director of Alumni Services, says the proposed one-time payment is being referred to as the “Forever Buffs Model”, and will promote a lifelong membership in the Alumni Association.
“With those $70, [students] will never be solicited or contacted for money again,” Stump said.
Stump says that the idea developed from the positive effect similar programs have had in other universities.
“We’re really trying to develop that sense of culture,” Stump said. “So when prospective students think of CU, they think that [it’s] a great place to get a degree and a great community.”
Stump emphasized a renewed sense of community while speaking about the fee that aims to benefit all students, especially undergraduates who don’t know the benefits they can receive from the Alumni Association.
“What we’ve done is we’ve done away with dues,” Stump said. “We’re trying to develop a sense of bonding by undergraduates and alumni.”
The CU Review Committee has passed the Forever Buffs Model unanimously, according to Stump. Stump also reports that students on the committee want a resolution to be approved by UCSU Legislative Council and will be presenting the idea to them in the coming weeks.
Ryan Biehle, a tri-executive of UCSU and senior political science major, confirmed that a resolution was going to be presented to the Legislative Council in the future.
Biehle said the tri-executives are in support of the Forever Buffs Model.
“I had a lot of questions as to whether or not we should be increasing students’ fees,” Biehle said. “After much thought, discussion and feedback, I decided it’s worthwhile for the students.”
The students may not feel the same way.
“I mean, $70 doesn’t seem like all that much but it adds up,” said Tina Weeden, an 18-year-old freshman psychology major. “I think it should be an optional thing.”
It is expected that the resolution will be presented to UCSU within the coming weeks.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Emily Zarka at Emily.zarka@colorado.edu.
