2008 Woodie Awards
Increase in Student Athletic Fee rejected by student senate
This article was originally published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
Amanda Flitter
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: Year in Review
The air was charged Sunday night, March 2, 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 with a recommendation to fail, 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.
Geoffrey Wellington, a student senator who presented the bill with a recommendation to fail, 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.
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