• • •

A current University of Hawaii at Hilo student is also questioning her school’s finances.

The student, junior Jennifer Ruggles, teamed up with Puna state Sen. Russell Ruderman after she said she was repeatedly stonewalled in her attempts to glean financial information regarding the school’s Campus Center.

Ruggles is also treasurer of a registered independent student organization — not affiliated with the school — called “The Student Union” (UHSU). On behalf of the group and Ruggles, Ruderman introduced a resolution last month which seeks a fiscal audit of the Campus Center, special financial reports and budgets over the past 10 years.

“Questions have arisen as to how student fees are used to pay for certain services related to the Campus Center, as well as the use of student fees to pay for the salaries of certain Campus Center employees,” it reads.

Ruggles said her requests, which included a decade’s worth of financial information, were not met entirely, and she’s not sure why. Specifically she’s missing Campus Center budget information for 11 months starting in July 2013.

Information she did receive didn’t raise alarms, Ruggles said, but the issue boils down to transparency. She said student fee increases in recent years have not correlated with the same increase in services.

“I’d just like to see how the fees are being spent,” she said. “Also, where that money went during these 11 months. That’s two semesters of student fees and that’s a lot of money.”

UH-Hilo spokesman Jerry Chang said in an email student fees are used for programming, operations and staff hiring under certain guidelines. He said UH-Hilo sent requested budget information to Ruggles on July 31.

“UH Hilo responded to requests made for information that met guidelines of the Office of Information Practices,” he said.

Ruderman said he’s not planning to move forward with the resolution contingent on a meeting slated for May between Ruggles and relevant parties.

Ruggles is also a candidate for County Council District 5 seat. In 2012, she said she worked for Ruderman’s campaign as his event coordinator.

Information shows fees in the 2005-06 school year totaled $69 for a full-time student. Next fall, fees are $225 for a five-credit or more student — a $15 increase from the year prior. Students pay a $25 media broadcasting fee — not included in 2005 — and a $78 Student Life Center fee. The Campus Center fee has increased from $6 in 2005 to $31 next fall. Student Activities fees have increased from $17 in 2005 to $27 currently, and students also pay a $27 Student Association fee. The Student Publication fee has increased from $18 to $30 next fall. The health fee has remained $7.

Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com

Student fees at UH-Hilo and community colleges around the state:

(Information taken from each school’s website.)

Hawaii Community College

Student Activity Fee: $1.50/credit up to a max of 10 credits or $15

Student Government Fee: $1/credit up to a max of 10 credits or $10

Publications Fee: $5

Total: $30 max

University of Hawaii at Hilo (Fall 2016; 5 or more credits)

Student publications: $30

Student activities: $27

Student association: $27

Campus center: $31

Media broadcasting: $25

Student health: $7

Student life center: $78

Total: $225 max

Honolulu Community College

Activity Fee: $0.50/credit and up to a maximum of $5

Publication Fee: $5

Student Life Fee: $5

Total: $15 max

Kapiolani Community College

Publications fee: $10

Activities fee: Full-time students $20.00; part-time students $2.00 per credit up to $20.00

Total: $30 max

Kauai Community College (Fall/Spring terms)

Activity fee: $30

Bus pass: $24

Total: $54 max

Leeward Community College (spring 2016)

Student activity fee: $0.75/credit up to a max of 10 credits or $7.50

Student publication fee: $5 added to 1st credit

Student health center fee: $15 added to 1st credit

Total: $27.50 max

University of Hawaii Maui College

Student activity fee: $1 per credit, $7.50 maximum

Student government fee: $1 per credit, $7.50 maximum

Board of student publication fee: $4

Technology fee $3 per credit, $36 maximum

Health center fee: $8

Total: $63 max

Windward Community College (Fall 2016)

Student activity fee: $1 per credit ($10 max)

Board of publication fee: $1 per credit ($10 max)

Total: $20 max