Penn State’s student governments put in months of hard work and it’s all coming to fruition — the University Park Student Fee Board is finally here. UPUA President Terry Ford and GPSA President Kevin Horne (also an Onward State editor) sent an email to students yesterday announcing the board’s official formation and asking students to apply to be one of the five at-large members.

The Student Fee Board will manage the recently created Student Initiated Fee, which combined the Student Activity Fee and the Facilities Fee that students formerly paid into one. President Barron approved the Student Initiated Fee earlier this year, but student governments had been working on it more than a year prior to that.

Starting with the 2016-17 school year, full-time students paid $960 in one, consolidated fee. Previously, students paid three separate fees for student activities, facilities, and a third called the Information Technology Fee (in addition to tuition). The latter of the three is now worked into tuition instead.

The Student-Initiated Fee will generate $40 million, which the Student Fee Board will allocate. The board will determine how much students pay for the fee (with the ability to raise or lower the fee) and decide how the fee is spent. Having the fees combined into one will provide more transparency as to where students’ money is going and will allow a smoother funding flow.

The Student Fee Board will consist of both student government-appointed members and at-large members. The application process involves the intent to bring diverse opinions to the table. Those interested in applying for an at-large spot on the Student Fee Board can do so here. Applications are open now through Friday, November 4 at 5 p.m.

Ultimately, the Student Initiated Fee will optimize how student money is spent, and members of the Student Fee Board will represent tens of thousands of their peers in collecting and allocating millions of dollars. It’s a unique opportunity for a direct say in how things are done.