I am writing in response to the “Fees committee doesn’t fully represent campus,” article published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Minnesota Daily.

The University of Minnesota casts a wide net when recruiting potential members for the Student Services Fees Committee. Applicants were solicited by the following: an email sent to all students from the vice provost for student affairs and dean of students; a call for applicants in both the Undergraduate and Graduate and Professional Student Update(s), which go to all Twin Cities students; five ads in the Minnesota Daily; a notice in the Student Unions and Activities newsletter for student groups “In the Know;” postings on GoldPASS, as well as on the Office for Student Affairs and Student Services Fees websites and an email to academic advisers via the University’s advising listserv.

As you can see from the lengthy recruitment plan detailed above, dedicated and intentional efforts are made to recruit a diverse pool of students to apply to serve on the SSFC.

To determine membership of the SSFC, all applications are reviewed by the SSFC selectors, who are chosen by the Minnesota Student Association and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly. The three to four selectors determine who should be interviewed, conduct interviews and then forward a slate of recommended SSFC members and alternates to MSA and GAPSA for approval by their respective governing bodies.

The recruitment and selection processes are not intended to favor any particular group of students or applicants over another. Rather, it is intended to allow all interested students to submit an application and be appointed by groups of students who represent the broader University student community.