Newly formed fee up for vote

Texas A&M University-Commerce has proposed an athletic fee that will be charged to all students beginning in the fall 2009 semester. The proposed fee will be $10 per semester hour up to 12 semester hours. Students that register for more than 12 hours will only pay the fee on the 12 semester hours.

"Most universities have an athletic fee; we do not," Dr. Mary Hendrix, interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. "The effect is that we must fund athletic scholarships from our student service fees. If we are able to fund athletic scholarships through an athletic fee, it will free student service fees so that we can provide more scholarships to other students and improve the services we provide, while still maintaining a tuition and fee structure that is affordable."

The fee is designed to provide additional funding for the athletic department. At the moment, some funding for the athletic department comes from the student services fee that all students pay. If this athletic fee is passed, money from the student services fee will no longer go to athletics. This will allow more funding to be used by programs funded by the student services fee, such as Residence Life, Breakout Entertainment, Student Government Association and similar programs.

"There is excitement and energy on our campus," Hendrix said. "We are in the process of rethinking all processes to determine how we can better serve all students, whether they receive their education on campus, off campus and online. Our tuition and fees are among the lowest in the state; however, to continue providing affordable tuition and fees and improve our services to students, we must fund activities differently."

The fee is expected to generate $1,800,000. This money will be used in a wide variety of different ways. It will provide scholarship money for student-athletes and funding for a strength and conditioning coach. Money would also be allocated for recruiting, scheduling, marketing and promotions.

On Nov. 13 and 14, students will participate in an online, general student election to vote either for or against the proposed athletic fee.