Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 298

529US1

Unit: $U39

[09-26-01 13:21:31] PAGES PGT: OPIN

Cite as: 529 U. S. 217 (2000)

223

Opinion of the Court

versity’s view, the activity fees “enhance the educational
experience” of its students by “promot[ing] extracurricular
activities,” “stimulating advocacy and debate on diverse
points of view,” enabling “participa[tion] in political activity,”
“promot[ing] student participa[tion] in campus administra-
tive activity,” and providing “opportunities to develop social
skills,” all consistent with the University’s mission.
Id., at
154–155.

The board of regents classiﬁes the segregated fee into allo-
cable and nonallocable portions. The nonallocable portion
approximates 80% of the total fee and covers expenses such
as student health services, intramural sports, debt service,
and the upkeep and operations of the student union facilities.
Id., at 13. Respondents did not challenge the purposes to
which the University commits the nonallocable portion of the
segregated fee.

Id., at 37.

The allocable portion of the fee supports extracurricular
endeavors pursued by the University’s registered student or-
ganizations or RSO’s. To qualify for RSO status students
must organize as a not-for-proﬁt group, limit membership
primarily to students, and agree to undertake activities re-
lated to student life on campus.
Id., at 15. During the
1995–1996 school year, 623 groups had RSO status on the
Madison campus.
Id., at 255. To name but a few, RSO’s
included the Future Financial Gurus of America; the Inter-
national Socialist Organization; the College Democrats; the
College Republicans; and the American Civil Liberties Union
Campus Chapter. As one would expect, the expressive ac-
tivities undertaken by RSO’s are diverse in range and con-
tent, from displaying posters and circulating newsletters
throughout the campus, to hosting campus debates and guest
speakers, and to what can best be described as political
lobbying.

RSO’s may obtain a portion of the allocable fees in one
of three ways. Most do so by seeking funding from the
Student Government Activity Fund (SGAF), administered