2008 Woodie Awards
SGA tries to resolve activity fee budget for 2009 and 2010 year
Emma Egli
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News
The Student Government Association tabled a resolution in its last meeting that would raise the activity fee by $10 or $20 per semester.
The last time the fee was officially raised was in 1998 when the fee was increased from $5 to $20. If the resolution is voted on again by the SGA and is passed, the student body will vote by referendum in November.
"The SGA brought up the idea of raising the activity fee for everybody's interest," said Gene Fitch, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Student Life. "It's been about 10 years since it was last raised."
Every student who is registered seven hours or more is required to pay the $20 per semester student activity fee. The money goes to registered student organizations for their programs and activities. The money is then distributed among each group in accordance to requests made by smaller organizations within those divisions.
Arguments have arisen as to whether or not raising the student activity fee would be in the best interest for all students who have to pay the fee. While many students do participate in sports clubs, Greek life and other organizations, there are still some who don't.
"A lot of [students] aren't involved in these student organizations," said Matthew Hurtt, senior political science major. "So their money is going to something they don't participate in.
Hurtt, who was the 2007 and 2008 senator for the college of Liberal Arts, said that each Sen
ate seems to have an issue that gets brought up every year, and this year it might be the student activity fee increase.
"I just don't think it's fair to the students," Hurtt said. "Especially in these tight economic times where the cost of filling up your gas tank has doubled within a year and a half."
The reason for the noticeable increase in the student activity fee is that there is simply not enough money to go around for all the student organization activities, according to Fitch.
The last time the fee was officially raised was in 1998 when the fee was increased from $5 to $20. If the resolution is voted on again by the SGA and is passed, the student body will vote by referendum in November.
"The SGA brought up the idea of raising the activity fee for everybody's interest," said Gene Fitch, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Student Life. "It's been about 10 years since it was last raised."
Every student who is registered seven hours or more is required to pay the $20 per semester student activity fee. The money goes to registered student organizations for their programs and activities. The money is then distributed among each group in accordance to requests made by smaller organizations within those divisions.
Arguments have arisen as to whether or not raising the student activity fee would be in the best interest for all students who have to pay the fee. While many students do participate in sports clubs, Greek life and other organizations, there are still some who don't.
"A lot of [students] aren't involved in these student organizations," said Matthew Hurtt, senior political science major. "So their money is going to something they don't participate in.
Hurtt, who was the 2007 and 2008 senator for the college of Liberal Arts, said that each Sen
ate seems to have an issue that gets brought up every year, and this year it might be the student activity fee increase.
"I just don't think it's fair to the students," Hurtt said. "Especially in these tight economic times where the cost of filling up your gas tank has doubled within a year and a half."
The reason for the noticeable increase in the student activity fee is that there is simply not enough money to go around for all the student organization activities, according to Fitch.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matthew Hurtt
posted 10/06/08 @ 6:33 AM CST
There are a couple things from the article that interest me:
"There are over 300 different organizations at MTSU," Fitch said. "Each semester the requests for money pile in for trips, lectures, concerts and other programs. (Continued…)
Post a Comment