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Regents approve ASUM fee increase; transportation raise draws a dissenting vote
Summary
The Board approved a $10 ASUM general fee and an $18 per‑semester transportation fee after student government presented turnout and usage data; at least one regent voted against the transportation increase, citing concerns about long‑term sustainability and the need for clearer ridership and operational planning.
The board approved student government requests to raise the standard ASUM fee by $10 per semester and the transportation fee by $18 per semester.
University of Montana student leaders explained the need: the $10 increase will support club sports, student groups, food pantry, legal aid and a subsidized childcare program; the transportation fee supports two bus lines that serve campus neighborhoods and Missoula College, which the student presenter said logged 107,104 trips last year.
University staff told regents they could not precisely report unique riders because the system is fare‑free and does not swipe IDs, but estimated the trips represent more than 50,000 round trips. The student vote to increase fees passed student government ballots with support above the policy threshold (about 14.5% turnout and approval rates around 69% for the ASUM fee and ~62% for transportation).
One regent, while supporting the $10 ASUM increase, voted no on the transportation increase and said the board should see a concrete sustainability plan and better ridership metrics before approving recurring increases for transit operations. Other regents cited the service’s access and congestion benefits when backing the fee.
Next steps: The fee increases were approved and will be implemented as part of the tuition/fee schedule; campuses and student governments will continue monitoring ridership and service costs.
