Student Enhancement Fee
What does an undergraduate student's enhancement fee provide?
The Student Enhancement fee of $300 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 $500,000 in 2024-2025 for events and initiatives sponsored by the
enhancement fee.
Categories Include:
Go Big: These are the large-scale, fun events! Events included the Saddle Up Fall Fest, Preacher
Lawson comedy show, HalloWeekend & Glow Dance, fitness classes, Battle of the Halls & First Year Olympics, Short Films Fest, WinterFest, Casino Night 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 the election, 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 Black Experience and Dia del Nino. The 2025
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
Veterans Week, guest speakers and workshops, and support for student events surrounding
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 website opportunities, including a leadership conference, micro-
grants for student-driven events, and the development of leadership programs.
SMC Roller Skate Night, Sofia Mastroianni
2024-2025 Enhancement Fee Proposals
The application for the 2024-2025 student enhancement fee is now open! We recommend first reviewing the application to ensure you have all of the information & materials that are requested. Utilize the chart below to prepare your application materials.
2024-2025 Enhancement Fee Application
What happens once I submit an application?
- A member of the Enhancement Fee Committee will email you with any questions or comments.
- The Enhancement Fee Committee will review the materials and determine: a) approval; b) need for further information or modification; c) denial or request to re-submit. This process takes 2-3 weeks.
- The Chair, or designee, will contact the collaborators with the results of the application. If approved, details on next steps will be included.
The Enhancement Fee Committee includes representatives from Student Life departments including members of the Intercultural Center, Campus Rec & Club Sports, CARE/Wellness, Residential Experience, Student Disabilities Services, Campus Safety, and students including an at-large undergraduate student, Associated Students Vice President for Student Organizations, Associated Students Vice President for Finance, and Chair of the Campus Activities Board. The Vice President of Student Life serves as the Chair of the committee and is a non-voting member.
SMC Student Life
Enhancement Fee Funded Activities
