http://www.standard.net/live/news/167947
USU students put their money where their teams are

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
By BROOKE NELSON

Quote:LOGAN -- Utah State University students voted Tuesday for a $130 increase in annual student fees to support the university's athletics programs.

The increase of $65 per semester will generate $2 million annually for the athletics program.

With the NStar covering it? Probably not so much. Would need quite the campaign to make that happen.
On the other hand, no one votes here. So if the student athletes knew going in they needed the money and got all their friends to vote and voted for it themselves, that group alone might outdraw the apathetic student body that doesn't vote for anything.

That's how we ended up with expensive TV screens and GPS units for the bus routes or a guy who was already caught misusing funds running for a spot in the SA this year (could there be a bigger waste of money than that GPS garbage?) Of all the things that have let me down in regards to NIU, there is no bigger embarrassment then that GPS nonsense.

(03-26-2009 11:57 AM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  With the NStar covering it? Probably not so much. Would need quite the campaign to make that happen.
On the other hand, no one votes here. So if the student athletes knew going in they needed the money and got all their friends to vote and voted for it themselves, that group alone might outdraw the apathetic student body that doesn't vote for anything.

That's how we ended up with expensive TV screens and GPS units for the bus routes or a guy who was already caught misusing funds running for a spot in the SA this year (could there be a bigger waste of money than that GPS garbage?) Of all the things that have let me down in regards to NIU, there is no bigger embarrassment then that GPS nonsense.

It would almost be worth seeing that happen just to see the Northern Star's reaction. They would be organizing marches on campus to protest.

I could imagine giving it a whirl but for a far lesser amount -given the current mindset about the uncertainties facing families and students alike.

MY "substantial gut reaction" is probably not agreeable to a majority of NIU students - but you only need a majority of those voting.

$25 per semester x 25,000 students raises over $1 million bucks for NIU but think about what Peters said on air last nite about MAC Presidents faced with striking a balance between academic needs, sports and affordability in challenging econ times.

What % of the total of all Huskie athletic dept expenditures is supported by student fees?
Has that been a steady % over time or shrinking?

Not a chance.

Not a chance. The cost of a NIU education is already escalating beyond the means of many who are the student demographic of the school. And with the state of Illinois in financial meltdown you can bet the ranch that further major increases in tuition are coming down the pike for NIU students.

No chance no how should student fees be raised in support of NIU athletics. A non-starter topic in fact.

godda wonder how much the average NIU student spends per semester on CDs , video games, lattes .... and beer....

(03-26-2009 05:11 PM)cyberdawg Wrote:  godda wonder how much the average NIU student spends per semester on CDs , video games, lattes .... and beer....

That is their choice as to how to use their disposable income. I bet most students would rather have the fees reduced.

Student support for NIU athletics is dismal.

I wonder what the majority of students would vote if they were given the choice of eliminating their student athletic fees and dropping down to DIII athletics, or even removing the athletic department all together.

(03-26-2009 01:25 PM)Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:  Not a chance. The cost of a NIU education is already escalating beyond the means of many who are the student demographic of the school. And with the state of Illinois in financial meltdown you can bet the ranch that further major increases in tuition are coming down the pike for NIU students.

No chance no how should student fees be raised in support of NIU athletics. A non-starter topic in fact.

Not to hijack the thread but the escalating costs are just another reason why NIU's administration should be lobbying anyone with imput to extended the train line that was lengthened 2 years ago from Geneva to Elburn on out to DeKalb.

Elburn as many of you know is on Rt 47 and only about 12 miles from DeKalb. Students would be able to commute to DeKalb on a daily basis, while not increasing vehicular traffic on I88 or on DeKalb streets. Given that the state apportions what $ they provide to state universities based on enrollment; NIU should get a larger share of the appropriation without having to construct additional on campus housing.

NIU is the only state university outside Chicago that isn't accessible by train. It will make NIU more of a commuter college but one who's enrollment is likely to increase instead of decrease like Carbondale's. The next decade is going to be a very trying time for state universities outside the major metro areas that aren't named U of I. A train line to DeKalb from Chicago will increase NIU's enrollment far past that of ISU.