Student Service Fee Board Structure
News
SSFAB Applications for FY24-25 are now closed. Please check back in February 2025!
Board Structure
The Student Services Fee Advisory Board (SSFAB) consists of eleven students - seven undergraduates and four graduates - who review proposals and recommend funding allocations to the Provost. The students represent the broader student body along with the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) and the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC).
Additionally, four staff members serve as advisors on the Board: three leaders from the Provost's Office who provide insight on campus needs and report back to their departments, and a budget representative who lends financial expertise. The ASUA President, GPSC President, and a Budget Office representative attend meetings by invitation as Ex Officio Advisors.
The Board accepts applications for appointment in late February or early March. Appointments begin in the Fall semester and details on deadlines are updated here when the application process opens. Those who are selected to serve on the board will receive a $500 stipend, split between the Fall and Spring semesters.
Board Documents, Reports, Survey Results, and SSF Policies can be accessed on this page.
Voting Members
| NAME | TITLE | CLASS | RESPONSIBILITIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirat Khushwinder Bains | Member | Graduate | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Roman Orozco | Member | Sophomore | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Ciara Garcia | Member | Graduate | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Michael Maietto | Member | Sophomore | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Famesh Patel | Member | Senior | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Srikar Kollipara | Member | Senior | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Damanitza Romo | Member | Junior | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Lawrence Zhang | Member | Sophomore | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Aaryan Mandale | Co-Chair | Senior | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
| Samuel Jesse | Chair | Graduate | Represent all students at the University of Arizona, maintain unbiased approach, understand and outreach to the departments of Office of the Provost and be familiar with university-wide budgets. |
Administrative Members
| NAME | TITLE | ROLE | RESPONSIBILITIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kian Alavy | Director, Strategic Planning & Initiatives | Administrative Advisor | Administrative Advisor |
| Marilyn Taylor | Associate Vice President, Finance & Administration | Administrative Advisor | Advice on policy, finance, and resources |
| Scott M Norris | Senior Director, Finance & Administration | Administrative Advisor | Advice on policy, finance, and resources |
SSFAB Testimonials
"Serving on the Student Services Fee Advisory Board(SSFAB) was a great opportunity to both gain a larger understanding and scope of how the university functions but also to help give back to the campus community by advocating for important needs through funding recommendations. SSFAB has given me the chance to see so many projects and better understand how funds are allocated, allowing me to feel far more knowledgeable about both projects but also the process on campus as a whole. Additionally, being able to help recommend funding for so many amazing projects that I as well as so many others have been able to benefit from, and hopefully will continue to do so, has helped me feel a better sense of community on campus, learn about so many resources, and furthered my understanding of how impactful these projects are."
- Chaz Alvarez, 2024 Board Member, Undergraduate - College of Engineering
"Serving on SSFAB has been one of the most important experiences of my undergraduate experience thus far. Being able to see how student's fees are allocated to essential proposals on campus is not only extremely rewarding, but also beyond insightful. While tough decisions must be made, being a part of the deliberation process and being able to see the effects of our actions in a very tangible and positive manner makes the entire experience worth it."
- Grace E Harrington, 2024 Board Member, Undergraduate - College of Soc & Behav Sci
“SSFAB has allowed me to interact greatly with the interdisciplinary nature of the University of Arizona. I had felt tunnel visioned in my area of study, feeling extremely disconnected from campus and from my own voice as a first-generation college student. However, serving as an at-large board member of SSFAB allowed me to see how projects such as basic needs, academic support, and research initiatives all interact with one another. I was able to learn an incredible amount from my peers and project leaders, but particularly from the students that demonstrated their passion for the projects that they were involved in. Serving on SSFAB has truly been the most valuable experience of my undergraduate education. “
- Talia Sugden, 2024 Board Member, Undergraduate - College of Science
"My two years of service on the board have been nothing short of fulfilling and rewarding. As a student representative I have been fortunate enough to represent my communities and provide support for campus resources that serve our students. As a co-chair, I have developed my leadership, organizational, analytical, and communication skills through collaborating with my fellow board members and members of the campus community. The student service fee board is a prime example of student activism and advocacy at work."
- Patricia Yango, 2024 Board Member & Co-Chair, Undergraduate - College of Soc & Behav Sci
"Serving on the SSFAB as a member and co-chair the two years has been a profoundly meaningful experience. I've been appointed to the board through the Graduate & Professional Student Council and this role has allowed me to cultivate three major impacts in my life. First, it has helped me understand UA's inner machinations; you can learn a lot about higher education by participating in this decision-making process. Second, I've developed a deep appreciation for the great labor undertaken by a wide variety of institutional units that deliver vital resources to students; you become thoroughly aware of the numerous projects funded by SSF that transform the UA student experience. Third, I've been able to put my beliefs into practice by advocating for solidarity with underserved communities and the importance of student autonomy; you can have a direct impact by making sure that as students, we have collective control of our personal educational experience. If you have frustrations and concerns with the decisions made by the University's administration, the SSFAB is for you. If you want this institution to be responsive to the needs of all students, it is imperative that you get involved."
- Samuel David Jesse, 2024 Board Member & Co-Chair, Graduate - Biosystems Engineering - Plant Science
"Serving on the Student Services Fee Advisory Board was both a humbling and rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to learn how some of the most valued programs on campus seek funding, budget their costs, and implement feedback from students. As a board member, I felt like I was a part of change on this campus. The SSFAB serves as a unique platform where students’ voices are amplified in a way like no other. Although tasked with making difficult decisions on the board, I take pride in knowing that we allocate student-contributed funds to support the needs they value the most."
- Sydni Fomas Do, 2024 Board Member, Graduate - Marketing Management - Public Health