This spring, during the Student Government Association (SGA) election, students may be voting for more than just their student government representing officers. A fee increase that could ultimately change what is offered on campus could also potentially make an appearance on the ballots.

The proposed package of fee increases would raise the $45 current level of student self-assessed fees by $75.25, supplementing departments that have most felt the strain caused by the recent budgets cuts. This will bring the student self-assessed fee total to $112.25.

The fee, which will be submitted to the University of Louisiana System (ULS) Board for further approval before being presented to the student body vote in spring’s SGA election, is a package deal of nine departmental increases.

Some of the existing fees, such as those for the Lion Traxx Shuttle Service, the concert choir, the opera and the student scholarship funds, have not been subjected to an increase since their inception. Others such as those to benefit KSLU 90.9 FM have not been updated since 1983, a 26-year period without any form of increase.

“We presented our proposal to the SGA concerning a need for a fee increase,” said Todd Delaney, general manager at KSLU 90.9 FM. “We presented our case and are waiting to see what happens. We need that fee increase now more than ever.”

Other departments slated to benefit from the increase would be Student Recreational Operations, the Spirit Squad, for which a fee increase of $3 would be divided between the cheerleaders, the Lionettes and the varsity band. A Lion’s Athletics fee of $50 has also been proposed, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the appropriated increase.

“Each department only has a limited amount, and with the continued budget cuts, that balance continues to decrease,” said Charika Tolliver, SGA vice president. “In some ways, this is a way to both offset and supplement those budget cuts to ensure that students receive the benefits of the university.”

With recent tuition increases, the student opinion is not favorable to additional increased fees.

“It just feels like we are paying more and getting less for our money,” said Michael Webb, a computer science junior.

In actuality, fees at Southeastern would still be the third lowest in Louisiana, as ranked in a report by the ULS. The highest reported fees are $337 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

“The most important thing is publicity,” said Tolliver. “I felt the same way at first; I didn’t want a fee increase, but we have to adjust. Even students who are not SGA members but sit on the board saw where a fee increase would help overall. But we want to publicize it and make sure that students know where their money will go.”

Even the organizations that are looking to benefit from this fee increase are still aware of the strain that it could place on student finances.

“I understand the viewpoint of the students who are against the fee increase,” said Delaney. “It’s tough financially, but if the radio station or any organization means anything to you, vote. We try to get feedback everyday and give the students what they want. We try to offer experience.”

With the fee increase, KSLU looks to keep its on-air hosts and train more students, since training for new on-air talent has been reduced by a dramatic amount because of the budget cuts.

“The fee is critical to the expansion and continuation of KSLU,” said Delaney. “Otherwise, we will have to reduce man hours, which mean less training and less job opportunities for students. I truly hope it doesn’t come down to that.”

When students have the opportunity to vote, they will have to look at the package as a whole. Regardless of if they agree with just one increase, they will be charged with the task of whether an overall fee increase is what is in their best interest.