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Posted: 12/13/07

TAMIU Student Vote Nixes Athletics, Rec Fee Increases

 

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A majority of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students have voted down a proposed increase in athletics and recreational sports fees in a referendum vote held online Dec. 4 – 6.

For the athletics fee increase, proposed to be $2 per semester hour, of 660 votes cast, 213 were in favor and 447 against. For the proposed recreational fee increase, to be $1 per semester credit hour, of 661 votes cast, the vote tally was 221 in favor and 440 opposed.

Both fees were to help sustain current and new athletics and recreational programming at the University, said Joe Garcia, TAMIU vice president for finance and administration.

“The athletics fee would have assisted the University in its move from the NAIA Athletic Conference to NCAA Division II (no football). The move to NCAA requires additional funding levels for student scholarships and the athletics program to meet NCAA, Division II requirements. Also, another sport, women's softball, has been added to the TAMIU program.

“The recreational sports fee was to help support augmented programming and student fitness options for the University's new Kinesiology and Wellness Recreation Center dedicated this Fall,” Garcia explained.

In advance of the vote, the University hosted two public hearings on the proposed fees and made information available on the University's web site for students. Both fees could not be imposed unless approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student referendum.

Garcia said that the University will now re-evaluate both areas that would have been assisted by the proposed fees.

“Obviously, we'll need to look at the level of services we've been providing and we do not want to jeopardize our NCAA Division II status. While we would hate to reduce services, in order to sustain the services our students have become accustomed to, funding must be secured. We cannot rule out other fee increases in the future,” he said.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu