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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Students to Vote on Stadium Fee

Posted on: Monday, 20 February 2006, 15:00 CST

By Kate Schott, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

Feb. 19--Matt Wissell hadn't planned to learn more about a proposed stadium for his school last Thursday night.

But as the sophomore was wrapping up a fundraiser outside Port O' Call in Cartwright Center on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, he heard student senators talking about the project and decided to listen in.

He found out students are considering contributing $2.5 million to the $14 million project. He learned the student body has the chance to voice their opinions Tuesday in an online advisory referendum.

Wissell was among a handful of students who took advantage of the presentation. An earlier session also drew few students, creating concern among several student senators.

Some worry students may not know about a project that could cost them money as soon as next year. If students don't know about Tuesday's Student Association referendum, the outcome might provide little feedback for the senators who will vote whether, and how much, students contribute.

Members of the campus' Residence Hall Association Council have talked to dorm residents, and the student newspaper, The Racquet, has published stories about the project.

If the student senate votes to contribute, $750,000 would come out of a reserve fund and $1.75 million would be raised over a 20-year period through a new fee on students. Students would pay a segregated fee of at most $8 a year until the 2008-09 school year. Then it would jump to at least $15 a year.

This year, full-time students paid $894.47 in segregated fees, fees above and beyond tuition, room and board that fund particular programs or projects.

Student senator Maggie Gomez said additional fees, even if only a few dollars, aren't feasible for some students struggling with recent double-digit tuition increases.

Gomez is one of several students who have expressed frustration that those who might gain more from a new stadium -- like businesses that benefit from the annual state high school track meet -- are waiting to see how much students are willing to shell out before making their own donations.

Those who support the stadium have countered that students are members of the community and the track meet showcases campus to thousands of potential students. The meet also provides at least $70,000 for residence life, as well as funding for the parking office, food services and student employees.

Fees are often lumped in with tuition costs and no professional organization tallies state averages. UW-L students have seen their segregated fees increase by 18.63 percent in five years.

UW-L at-large senator Beth Erickson recommends fees to the Student Association through her work on the apportionment committee. They try to keep them as low as possible while still providing services students demand, she said.

"It's tricky. Students aren't rich," Erickson said. "They can't afford to pay more on student fees, but these organizations depend on that money. It's hard to say what's too much and what's not enough."

UW-L Student Association President Ryan Kockler is aware of those concerns and doesn't want the stadium project pushed onto students. But he sees benefits beyond better facilities for student athletes.

There will be lighted playing fields for the more than 6,000 students who take part in intramural sports. Money from corporate boxes will be used in part to fund scholarships. The artificial turf can be used for other activities. A new weight room will be added.

"The way I can justify adding this to student seg fees is we're setting up something for the students of the future," he said. "If we don't make this investment, we'll be losing out on a lot of chances to get money for students."

Ron Lostetter, vice chancellor of administration and finance, said student leaders approached him about making donations.

Administrators are aware of complaints surrounding fees. Lostetter said they try to keep increases to a reasonable level, but noted students control some fees while others are mandated by state law.

Lostetter said students should help pay for some types of campus facilities, but not those used for academics. He said the Eagle Recreation Center would never have been built if students hadn't asked for a fitness center -- and agreed to fund it. Students have a large part in operating and scheduling that facility.

Student senators are not required to vote in a manner that reflects the referendum results: Several have noted that a student referendum in the 1980s showed little support for the Eagle Recreation Center.

Wissell said he's "more for the stadium than against it" because it would be a good addition to campus.

"It's like the (Eagle Recreation Center)," he said. "Everybody uses it. I think this would be like that."

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Copyright (c) 2006, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

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Source: La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisc.)

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