Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Students vote down fee proposals

Courtesy+of+Josh+Levario
Courtesy of Josh Levario

The Athletics and Transportation Fees at UTSA will not be raised for students next school year. Over 6,100 students casted their ballots during the two-day voting period. Both proposal to raise the fees were voted down by the largest voter-turnout in UTSA history.

 

Athletics Fee voting results

For: 1,439 or 23.3%

Against: 4,734 or 76.7%

Transportation Fee voting results

For: 1,857 or 30.1%

Against: 4,316 or 69.9%

 

The athletics fee will remain $20 per semester credit hour, with a cap at 12 hours ($240). The proposed increase would have increased it to $21 per semester credit hour for the 2018-2019 academic year and $22 per semester credit hour for the 2019-2020 academic year while also removing the 12 credit hour cap. The fee is currently capped at $240.

The transportation fee will remain $20 per semester. The proposed fee increase would be to $29 per semester for the 2018-2019 academic year, and to $38 per semester for the 2019-2020 academic year; the transportation fee does not have a cap.

In the 2016-2017 school year, the athletics fee consumed nearly 17 percent of all mandatory student fees, making it the second largest student fee after the Automated Services Charge.

Athletics Director Lisa Campos said UTSA needed the fees to continue to build the athletics program and to attract students.

“I am very appreciative that so many Roadrunners came out for the referendum vote,”UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “It is vitally important to have participation in this democratic process and use the results to better understand our students’ viewpoints and areas of concern. We will carry this knowledge forward as we work toward supporting our athletic programs and their role in helping to build UTSA’s reputation beyond San Antonio and Texas.”

UTSA athletics ran a campaign titled “Be The Why in Yes” in support of the proposal. Isaac Serna/ The Paisano
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