Board of Trustees approve new student fee for College Activities Building enhancements

Students at The Evergreen State College will see everything from a new student operated café to art galleries, an indoor waterfall and an amphitheatre performance space after a 'yes' vote from enrolled students for a student fee that will significantly enhance the College Activities Building (CAB).

Evergreen’s Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the new $5.75 per credit fee July 12.

The project will dramatically boost the appearance of the building and create a better connection to campus housing and student life. In total, the project will add 14,500 square feet to the CAB.

The first complete renovation of the CAB in 35 years also provides major upgrades to the building’s infrastructure – including ventilation, heating, electrical systems and seismic upgrades. Funding for those components of the project is being requested from the state legislature.

The new fee for the unique project was voted on by students Spring 2006. A 25% participation rate from the student body was required for validation and 27.6% of eligible students voted (1,155 total votes). 57% of those students voted in favor of a new fee. Three levels of fees, each with different levels of enhancements were voted on – $3.35/credit, $4.25/credit, and $5.75/credit – and the fee of $5.75/credit received the most votes.

Besides including the most amenities, the $5.75 fee will ensure that the project is designed and built to the Leadership in Environmental Design commission’s rare ‘Gold’ standard, which the college’s new Seminar II Building already holds.

The college will begin collection of the new fee in Fall 2006 and legislative approval of state support of $4.9 million will be sought during the 2007 legislative session. Completion of the project is slated for 2010. The fee applies to Olympia campus students only.

View a PDF of the approved plan for the CAB redesign and details about the aspects of the project.

For more information on financial support for this increased cost of attendance for students qualifying for financial aid go to www.evergreen.edu/financialaid.