With talks of budget cuts still looming, little light has been shed on ways of supplementing programs that have been affected by it. But last semester, a proposed tuition increase caught the eye of the student body, teachers and other faculty members. The tuition increase would be $75, with $50 going into the athletics program.
“Well, with the budget cuts the way they are it’s important that most schools do have that, and so with the strain on the state, it’s very important that we do that,” said Athletics Director Bart Bellairs, on supplying money to the athletics program.
Bellairs also pointed out the fact that the athletics program would be gaining nothing, just breaking even.
“It will probably be divvied up. Again, we’re not going to grow, we’re going to maintain what we have, so we’re still way far behind the curb,” said Bellairs.
Head Men’s Basketball coach Jim Yarborough also lobbied for the money, citing facts that the program has been doing a lot with a little bit of money, and that the return product could be greater than the investment.
Some students supported the fee increase, citing the budget cuts.
“I think, considering everything else the state is going through and all the budget cuts, I think 75 dollars probably isn’t too much considering what all the other students [at other colleges] may end up paying,” said freshman communications major Matt Doyle.
Others thought positive of the entire situation.
“I think that the athletics department could always use the money,” said freshman sports management major Blake Borgstede. “I think they could use it on more scholarships or maybe better facilities. It’ll definitely go to good use.”
Others still, weren’t so supportive of the idea.
“I think it goes without saying most of us don’t choose to attend SLU for their supreme athletics… if athletics wants higher funding they should earn it themselves,” said junior art major Michael Heumann. “I’ve recently transferred from three years at LSU and have only seen one football game. One hundred percent of this tuition increase won’t make me anymore inclined to watch SELU athletics.”