2025-2026 Enhancement Fee

What does an undergraduate student's enhancement fee provide?

The Student Enhancement Fee of $307 is applicable to undergraduates and the funds go directly to Student Life to help subsidize important student activities such as events and concerts, cultural programs, wellness programs, and other student initiatives. 

The Enhancement Fee Committee, comprised of undergraduate students and Student Life staff, allocated around $600,000 in 2025-2026 for events and initiatives sponsored by the enhancement fee. The Enhancement Fee Committee, comprised of undergraduate student and Student Life staff, allocated around $500,000 in 2024-2025 for events and initiatives sponsored by the enhancement fee. 

Go Big: These are the large-scale, fun events! Events included the four 'pillar events' (Camp SMC, HalloWeekend, Glow Night & Saddle Up), the Oasis concert, campus rec programs, WinterFest, live music series, Banda nights, coffee carts, and various other campus-wide activities. The Go Big category is intended to be large events that create memorable experiences for students.

Belonging: This category is intended to help students feel a greater sense of belonging on campus. With deliberate attention to fostering students' sense of connection to Saint Mary's, events from the year that were captured by this category included enhanced welcome events, the diversity dance, programming & support around Veterans, the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration, events as part of International Women's Month and sexual assault awareness month, and student-driven programs such as the Cookout and Dia del Nino. The 2026 annual Cultural Celebration has become a staple of the programming calendar. 

Exploration: The category of exploration includes the outdoor adventure program, which has gone on river rafting, camping, taken trips to Santa Cruz and Monterey, and off-campus glass blowing trips. These, free, once in a lifetime opportunities take advantage of the local Bay Area and beyond. The annual ski trip is a popular event and this year's outdoor adventures included partnerships with the Black Student Union and Residence Hall Association. 

Wellness:  Supporting students' mind, body, and soul, the wellness category is intended to support student success by offering activities and initiatives that nourish students. Through TimelyCare, the campus now offers 365/24/7 support to all students including counseling services, medical appointments, and on-demand workshops and support. Wellness initiatives included increased fitness classes (yoga, pilates, spin, etc.), a new series of events during health and wellbeing such as the wellness fair and stress management fairs. The annual Teal Out events (sexual assault awareness) and popular finals Smash-a-Plate support student wellness initiatives. 

Student Development: The category of student development provides opportunities for students to develop their skills and talents through engaging and intentional programming. These activities are intended to enhance student engagement and have supported leadership  development and student engagement and have supported leadership development and student website opportunities, including a leadership conference, microgrants for student-driven events, and the development of leadership programs.