Class, Studio & Lab Fees
Learn how to submit and manage proposals for new or revised class, studio or lab fees.
New and Revised Fees
Departments may submit applications for new class/studio/lab fees and/or request revisions to existing class/studio/lab fees using these guidelines and proposal forms.
All applications must be submitted via the DocuSign form. Other formats will not be reviewed.
- If applying for more than one class/studio/lab fees, please apply for each course separately in separate application forms.
- Class/studio/lab fee proposals are reviewed by RPAC, and if approved, go into effect the following fiscal year.
- The submission deadline for new class/studio/lab fee proposals for next fiscal year is January 2, 2026. Proposals submitted after this date will not be reviewed.
- New fees and revision of fees to any course will be accepted this year. Any approved new class / lab fee will be instituted no earlier than for Fall 2026 semester.
Requirements for Fees
Documenting Course Fees
Any classes approved to charge enrolled students a new class or lab fee must list that fee and how it is being used on the course syllabus. This is achieved by providing a link to the list of course fees (PDF) on the syllabus, along with a description of the items for which fees are potentially used.
An example of a syllabus statement that includes the required information is: “A course fee of $50 is charged in this course. This fee pays for distillation kits, replacement of broken glassware, sample vials and chemicals, and lab consumables.”
A copy of the syllabi must accompany the submitted proposal.
Semester Accounting Requirements
Any department approved to charge students a class, studio and lab fee must submit a semester accounting of how the class/lab fee monies are spent.
RPAC will review the submissions on a semester by semester basis and an annual review of each department's class fee budget balances after the close of the fiscal year.
* Each department must track class fee funded expenditures by class number (e.g., KNES 246). This information is collected on a semester basis (i.e., Fall and Spring).
Semester Accounting Report Deadlines
- Fall report is due to PBO by January 16th (pbo AT_TOWSON).
- Spring report is due to PBO by May 15th (pbo AT_TOWSON).
- All class fee expenditures should be completed by April 1st
- In July, following the fiscal year close, PBO will provide the RPAC subcommittee a fiscal year-end report showing budget balances for each department class fee account.
Please contact the PBO directly for elimination of existing class / lab fees.
Documentation
Proposals and supporting materials will only be accepted in electronic form (as a single PDF file) submitted by e-mail as specified on the class / studio / lab fee proposal form.
- Class Fee Proposal Form (DocuSign)
- Class / Studio / Lab Fee Guidelines (approved 10-28-2011) (PDF)
- Class / Studio / Lab Fees Listing (fiscal year 2025-2026) (PDF)
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Amanda Jozkowski, ajozkowski AT_TOWSON or 410-704-5138.