Bethel Student Government (BSG) executives will receive stipend increases starting this upcoming school year following a recent decision by the university. The student activity fee, which had been cut significantly in previous years due to budget cuts and lower enrollment numbers, will be restructured and broken down into percentages per group, allowing for some wiggle room to pay BSG executives more.
The student activity fee will likely be increased to $250, with BSG receiving about 60% of each student’s fee. Student Life is also looking to receive close to a 20% portion of that increase.
This increased fee will also make BSG executive positions a more feasible option for students as a potential on-campus job, as the pay should accurately reflect the responsibilities and workload typical of these leadership roles. As a result, an executive role in BSG becomes more comparable to a Resident Assistant (RA) position and looks less like a volunteer role than an actual campus job.
Current BSG executives have expressed excitement about these upcoming changes because their successors’ pay will rise to match their workload, which can average from 15-20 hours each week. But it’s not just about getting paid for their hard work.
“I think it’s great experience and great mentorship,” Executive Director of Student Activities Abby Burbach said. “I’ve had an incredible experience on the BSG team… I think [the stipend increases are] drawing in more leaders and giving people more opportunities.”
Burbach and her colleagues, Student Body President Mild Du and Financial Officer Austin Magnuson, hope that the stipend increases will encourage more competition as students apply for open positions. Director and committee member position applications are currently open, and the executives are seeking to help foster the next group of student leaders.
