Increase in Student Athletic Fee Rejected by Student Senate

The air was charged Sunday night, as multiple student senators expressed their doubts about a bill proposing a 5 percent increase to the Student Athletic Fee. Marty Scarano, director of athletics, sat with his arms crossed. Pat Madsen, senior associate athletic director for finance, was equally solemn.

Geoffrey Wellington, a student senator who presented the bill, commented that ten years from now, he would rather have UNH be known for an excellent business program than an excellent hockey program, drawing restrained applause in an environment that generally forbids it. Katherine Steere, speaker of the student senate, banged a gavel to remind the senators of the no applause policy.

Finally, after two hours, it was time to vote.

"All in favor, say 'aye,'" Steere said.

There was silence. Scarano and Madsen did not wait for the verdict to make their exit.

Student senate voted unanimously against the bill. Currently, the fee is $762, and a 5 percent increase would raise it to $800 for next year.

Many student senators expressed concerns about the athletic department's budget for 2009, which projects losses of $339,000 even if the Student Athletic Fee would be increased to $800. These losses would reduce athletic department reserve funds, which are used in case of unexpected circumstances, to $12,833. The recommended reserve funds amount for the athletic department is $2.3 million.

Madsen said the budget's revenues are "maxed out" and that expenses are outpacing their ability to generate money.

Patrick Cambiasso-Helfer, business manager for student senate, called the low reserves "not fiscally responsible."

"I think athletics certainly has value… [but] I think the bottom line is the bottom line," Cambiasso-Helfer said. "You're taking student money and losing it. Athletics should be held liable for losing people's money."

Andrew McKernan, public relations chair for student senate, said he appreciates the athletic department's work and their problem but could not bring himself to pass the increase.

"I can't accept that the reserves will be down to $12,000," he said.

Senators also raised concerns about hold harmless funding. Hold harmless funds come from tuition money, and are used to help departments become more fiscally self-sustainable. Athletics currently gets $2.8 million in aid from hold harmless funds, but it is unknown when the money will be taken away, leaving questions as to how the athletic department would be prepared to handle a sudden financial change with low reserves.

Scarano said there is a plan, but did not go into details. He said only that athletics would relay the "dire consequences" of losing the funds to the appropriate parties if their hold harmless funds were threatened.

The Student Athletic Fee helps fund the athletic program, which has over 650 student athletes in 20 different sports. The fee helps cover the costs of student tickets to all home volleyball, hockey, basketball and gymnastics events for the year, a value of $737 per student. It also provides access for students to the outdoor track and fields. The fee also covers tutoring, training, weight room time and travel costs for athletes.

In addition to the fee, about $632 of each student's tuition goes to athletics. Overall, students support about 71 percent of the athletic department's budget. About 5 percent of the student population is student athletes.

Four years ago, a 13.2 percent increase of the student athletic fee was approved so the department could stop its deficit from increasing, and two years ago programming was cut in order to reduce expenses.

Scarano said they have considered raising hockey ticket prices by $1 to help generate revenues, but said they are reluctant because there would be "considerable pushback." He said their fear is the demand for hockey tickets would decrease. Currently, reserved seating is $21-24 a ticket and general admission seating is $19-22 a ticket.

"Our feelings are it's tough to balance [fee increases and ticket increases]," said Bryan Fritts, a Student Senate member who presented the bill. "My feeling is we should raise ticket prices… before the student fee."

Wellington said he thought there would be high enough demand that hockey games would still sell out despite a rise in ticket prices.

Scarano stressed the intrinsic value of athletics to students, such as generating school spirit, in addition to the monetary benefits of free tickets.

"The athletic department and what it does is important to the university beyond allowing you guys to go to games," Scarano said. He mentioned the athletic program draws national attention, and the athletes act as ambassadors for the university. He said athletes "put in countless hours" between academics, training and community service. This year, athletes have done 3,000 hours of community service, according to Scarano.

Nationwide, Scarano said, rising athletic fees are common, even among wealthy schools.

"No one is immune in Division I schools to athletic fees rising," he said.

"I'm torn right now," said Student Body Vice President Mike Merrill during a comment period. "I really am. Obviously people are upset about this fee… I wouldn't want to go to a school without an athletic program with pride. But such a small percent receive benefits when there's such a large increase for all students."

He later said that passing the fee increase would not be responsible as representatives of the general student population.

"I'm not against a student fee for athletics," said Wellington. "It's good for the university… but $800? I don't think so. When [are the fee increases] going to stop? I don't see it stopping."

The Board of Trustees will make the final decision about the fee, but the student voice is strongly considered in the process.

"The Board of Trustees listens to what we have to say," said Fritts.