Closer look at UTEP athletic fee

Thursday is the last day for UTEP students to cast their vote on a tuition increase to give the athletic department more money. 

The measure is on the ballot along with student government elections. If it passes, it would mean students could pay up to $240 more a year starting fall 2011 and up to $360 more by fall 2013.

The new fee would establish a fund of $3 million to $5 million (depending on which news agency you’re reading/watching) that would go toward coaches’ salaries and team travel. The fund will increase in the following two years and collect $7 million in 2013. The changes are also said to free up $1 million from another fund that helps student clubs.

Here’s the wording of the ballot: 

Proposed implementation of the Campus Life and Athletic Enhancement Initiative:

 

Decrease UTEP’s existing Student Service Fee by $2 per credit hour through 2013.
•Currently, a portion of Student Service Fees is allocated to support UTEP Athletics. This initiative will move Athletics funding out of Student Service Fees releasing one million dollars to support campus life enhancements. These enhancements include upgrades to student facilities like club and organization meeting space; increased student service awards; and enhancements to key student services like University Counseling Center, University Career Center, and Student Development Center.
 
Create an athletic fee starting in fall 2011 at a rate of $10 per credit hour increasing $2 per credit hour each year in 2012 and 2013.
•This will provide a stable funding base for Athletics to compete at the highest level of NCAA sports, strengthens recruitment of highly sought athletes and top level coaches, and continues to provide students with the full campus athletics experience. 
 
Implementation of the Campus Life and Athletic Enhancement Initiative will result in a net increase of $8 per credit hour effective Fall 2011.
 
Select one option:
 
o Accept       o Decline

First of all, a bit sneaky to begin the measure with wording about a DECREASE in fees. 

In spring 2010, UTEP students paid $14.75 per credit hour in Student Service Fees.

And based on this, if you’re a 12-credit-hour student in fall 2011, you’re paying a net increase of $96 in tuition after the athletic fee and Student Service fee decrease. That’s still a net of $10 per credit hour for the Athletic Department. That’s $120. And all $120 of that is going to UTEP athletics. 

This $1 million for “campus life enhancements” is coming out of the Student Service Fee, which you’ve taken $2-a-credit-hour out of. I don’t pretend to be a math maven, but it sounds like the Athletic Department was digging into this Student Service fee pretty deep already. And now they’re trying to get students to shell out a little more. 

Plenty have strong opinions about this. I certainly think if UTEP athletics wants to compete at a higher level, more cash is absolutely necessary. However I don’t necessarily agree that it’s the students’ responsibility to subsidize the school’s athletic programs. 

I also don’t think it’s fair to throw words like “tier one” into this subject. UTEP is not going to achieve tier-one status because the Miners go 9-3 on the football field next season or any other season. It’s a little misleading to say, as Bob Stull did on Phillip Mena’s report on KTSM on Wednesday, that “we’re aspiring to be a tier-one institution” in conjunction with this vote. 

Mena also states that Stull told him UTEP is the only public university in Texas without an athletic fee. It’s an accurate statement, sort of. Texas Tech does charge a fee that goes toward the campus’ recreational centers. Surely, athletic-related things go on in rec centers. But this money doesn’t go toward the Red Raider basketball team’s travel costs. It goes toward something students can freely use. 

UT-Austin students are charged a fee that pays for the school's Student Activity Center but nothing that goes directly to sports teams. UTEP students also pay rec and other facility fees. But this new proposed fee gives students nothing but a lighter wallet. 

So surely it’s a touchy subject. One that I’m not necessarily taking sides on. But I don’t know if UTEP has gone about it in the most honorable way. But then again, some politicians don't act honorable when a vote is at stake. 

So UTEP students, be sure to make your voice heard, whatever side of the argument it's on. 

If the fee is approved, the bill will be introduced in next year’s Texas Legislature, said Richard Padilla, UTEP's vice president for student affairs.

Officials will announce results Thursday evening.

Comments

[Adrian Mac]

Great article. Had they forced the vote in earlier in the semester it really would have been shady.

I don't see why UTEP didn't first consider an optional fee that guarantees students tickets to football and other varsity games. At Texas, students don't get to swipe their cards and walk through the gate. Rather, they pay an optional fee (ranging from $60-$125 I believe) that gets them in the gate.

At least then, the fee would be optional and assessed to students who value intercollegiate athletics. Of course, it wouldn't generate the revenue this does. But it wouldn't raise tuition across the board either.

Adrian Mac
www.minerrush.com

[John C]

I see the issue as an icreased responsiblity on the students, alumni, boosters, and the community of El Paso.

The increased atheltic fee should provide some additonal benefit to the students such as more and quicker access to atheletic events. The students at the schools is what it is all about.

We as alumni and boosters take pride in the tradition rich basketball program of UTEP and with Tim Floyd new heights will be achieved. I beleive that we now have excellent coaches in Price, Floyd, Kitchens, etc.. to include the weomens coaches.

Alumni and boosters should also step up to the plate and contribute more to the University. If the alumni would self asses themselves ($200-$500 per year) then some of the pressure would be taken of the students. The alumni that reside in El Paso have this opportunity to do this by purchasing season tickets. I did!!

[David]

Well, I voted no to the proposal. I can't honestly sit back and see more of my money being wasted on sports. I love the teams, basketball more then anything else. However, until the Miners can prove they are worthy of more money, they get nothing.

I go to UTEP to get an education, not to watch the basketball team or football team cheat on exams or have their homework done for them. People don't see that side of story because everyone turns their back. However, it happens every day and professors are quite okay with it, very disgusting.

[ac]

First of all before saying such charges (concerning cheating) you should have proof. Also, what you fail to realize is that good academics and competitive athletics do go together and both work to build up the school rep. I know from personal experience that a school's athletics as well as academics can come up in a job interview and serve as a good ice-breaker. Also, athletics work like advertisement for the school helping its name get around. Finally, UTEP will win IF YOU INVEST THE MONEY!!! To say that you will not spend a dime more til they prove something to you is short sited. They have actually done pretty good with what they have but they need the financial resources to help them compete consistantly.

Additionally, several schools have reinvested their winnings back into the school for scholarships and academic programs. Thus, it is recyclical, but only if you are willing to invest in it. It is a good scenario overall for students and alumni.

[need new governor who is ethical]

UTEP needs to focus on academics primarily before burdening the students more for athletics who have yet to prove themselves. Performance pay increases should come out of UTEP's other funding sources NOT STUDENT HIKES.

UT Austin doesn't charge students to support the coaches' salary and travel expenses. UT Austin also has the most over paid top salaries at a public university.

Pablo Villa points out some clear facts.

[MANNY T]

My understanding of the initiative students pay an existing $2 student service fee going to athletics. If approved the service fee is eliminated freeing up 1 million dollars that could improve campus life enhancements. Accept this athletic fee at a net increase of $8 per credit hour starting next fall. Then, a $2 dollar increase in 2012 & 2013. It's sounds like an investment for students in athletics and profits in campus life improvements annually. So why not approve this it's not like students are going to pay a lump sum of money next year. IN THE END I BELIEVE THE INITIATIVE WILL IMPROVE UTEP ON AND OFF THE FIELD. SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE SHOW EL PASO YOU CARE FOR YOUR UNIVERSITY! GO MINERS!!!!!!!!!!1

[baballa31]

i think this is a good idea and hopefully it gets approved. For those students who say that they dont use the sports facilities or they dont participate in sports i do see where you all are coming from saying that you should not have to pay more BUT there is a lot of money to be made by the university as well by having successful sports programs. Money for other programs, facilities, etc is being made so you are not just investing the money only into the sports programs. by the way i am a current utep student and i voted yes.

[whatever]

I'm not going to UTEP just to watch sports, I'm there for the education... "F" this stupid proposal. Making us spend more money that we don't have just to watch them lose anyway.

[nike air max 2003]

Accept this athletic fee at a net increase of $8 per credit hour starting next fall. Then, a $2 dollar increase in 2012 & 2013. It's sounds like an investment for students in athletics and profits in campus life improvements annually

[Athletic Clothing]

I think you wrote great article. I lost my all money on sports practices but know i don't have more money to participate in Olympics.