Spring Break
Face Off: Students give take on $15 per semester athletic fee increase
Ian Bezek
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: Opinion
Before spring break, the Student Fee Review Board approved a student fee increase of $15 per semester requested by the Athletics Department at CSU.
The Collegian set out to find out what CSU students had to say about the increase. Amy Rausch, a junior double majoring in art and art education, and Mike Temple, a freshman undeclared major, were kind enough to offer their insights.
Amy rausch, junior art and art education double major
Q: What do you think about the recently approved $15 per semester fee hike for athletics?
A: At first, when I read about it in the Collegian, I was a little upset by it because it seems like our tuition gets raised constantly, but when I found out it was only $15, I didn't feel as upset. I think the best thing about the (fees) being raised $15 is that it's like the minimum that they can charge us, and I do think that if our Athletics Department does get more recognition, it will be likely that our school will get more people applying to it.
Q: So you think this fee could lead to more students and potentially more revenue?
A: Yeah. However, with the Athletics Department we have two new coaches, for basketball and football, and I think the money can help them out, but at the same time we haven't been scoring well enough that we've been getting that positive recognition too.
Q: Did athletics play a role in your decision to come to CSU?
A: No. Not at all.
Q: Do you attend many sports games?
A: I used to. Well, I go to a basketball game here and there. The basketball coach, Tim Miles, he is my dad's sister-in-law's brother and I used to baby sit his kids. I know he's had a rough year or two, but they are making progress.
Q: You said initially that you were upset at first by the fee increase. Do you think it would be better if there was no increase at all?
A: Well, it's kind of hard to say. I wish that there was a way we could make it for athletics and academics because I think that with the athletic recognition, more people will hear the name CSU and more people will apply. However, it seems like a lot of budget cuts have been on teachers and academics. If you're going to put $15 toward athletics, you might as well put an additional $15 toward academics.
The Collegian set out to find out what CSU students had to say about the increase. Amy Rausch, a junior double majoring in art and art education, and Mike Temple, a freshman undeclared major, were kind enough to offer their insights.
Amy rausch, junior art and art education double major
Q: What do you think about the recently approved $15 per semester fee hike for athletics?
A: At first, when I read about it in the Collegian, I was a little upset by it because it seems like our tuition gets raised constantly, but when I found out it was only $15, I didn't feel as upset. I think the best thing about the (fees) being raised $15 is that it's like the minimum that they can charge us, and I do think that if our Athletics Department does get more recognition, it will be likely that our school will get more people applying to it.
Q: So you think this fee could lead to more students and potentially more revenue?
A: Yeah. However, with the Athletics Department we have two new coaches, for basketball and football, and I think the money can help them out, but at the same time we haven't been scoring well enough that we've been getting that positive recognition too.
Q: Did athletics play a role in your decision to come to CSU?
A: No. Not at all.
Q: Do you attend many sports games?
A: I used to. Well, I go to a basketball game here and there. The basketball coach, Tim Miles, he is my dad's sister-in-law's brother and I used to baby sit his kids. I know he's had a rough year or two, but they are making progress.
Q: You said initially that you were upset at first by the fee increase. Do you think it would be better if there was no increase at all?
A: Well, it's kind of hard to say. I wish that there was a way we could make it for athletics and academics because I think that with the athletic recognition, more people will hear the name CSU and more people will apply. However, it seems like a lot of budget cuts have been on teachers and academics. If you're going to put $15 toward athletics, you might as well put an additional $15 toward academics.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Alumnus
posted 3/23/09 @ 9:20 AM MST
Dammit! This happens every year! They ask for "just a little bit more". No one admits that it adds up over time, that it'd be so sad if the athletic program goes under/can't keep up with its competitors. (Continued…)
Pete
posted 4/08/09 @ 8:52 AM MST
Rarely in this country do schools make money off the athletics department. When they hide the stadium building and maintenance costs, when they don't include student scholarships, when they forget to include the coaches huge salary. (Continued…)
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