An open house May 24 will celebrate the first five years of the student alternative transportation fee, which students recently voted to extend another half decade. Courtesy photo

Western Washington University students recently renewed the student transportation fee, giving it another five years, and the Sustainable Transportation Program is throwing a party -- complete with cake, coffee and tea -- to celebrate.

At an open house event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, students and staff of Western’s Alternative Transportation Fee Advisory Committee will present a review of the first five years.

The event is a celebration of everyone who worked so hard to ensure the first five years went well. Western staff from many departments came together as a team, working with Transportation Services, the Western Card Office, Associated Students and Whatcom Transportation Authority to ensure accuracy, accountability and convenience in student bus pass distribution and functionality, said Carol Berry, manager of Western's Sustainable Transportation Program.

"The process has been so well-designed, it's invisible," she said.

The event will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in Viking Union Room 565. A presentation will take place at 1:15 p.m. The entire Western community is invited to attend.