Vol. 66, Issue 5
Est. 1981
September 26 - October 3, 2023
THE PAISANO
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /PaisanoOnline
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Athletics department proposes increase in athletics fee By Jessica McLaren News Editor
U
Student voting to take place Oct. 25 and 26
TSA athletics is proposing an increase to the mandatory athletics fee assessed to all students each semester. Students can vote on the proposed increase on a ballot copresented by Student Affairs and athletics on Oct. 25 and 26 via RowdyLink. If approved, the fee will increase by $1.50 per credit hour each year for five years starting in Spring 2024. UTSA students currently pay a semesterly athletics fee of $20 per credit hour, capped at 12 credit hours, or $240. If the initiative passes, the fee will increase each academic year until 2027-28, reaching a total fee of $27.50 per credit hour and a maximum fee of $330. “We’ve had the opportunity to speak to a lot of organizations about what athletics is doing well [and] what we need to improve,” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director Dr. Lisa Campos said. “It was very clear that it’s not just about football, that students want us to [invest in] soccer, volleyball, golf [and] all the other programs.” The athletics fee makes up
approximately 35% of the total athletics operating budget. The budget includes athletic scholarships, where “seven million dollars of the operating budget goes back to the institution through tuition and fees.” According to Dr. Campos, the proposed fee increase would help build awareness around UTSA’s athletics program, promote university pride, add student worker positions and enhance the student experience of athletic events by providing more transportation and hosting celebrations, events and giveaways. The funding would also go towards supporting spirit groups like Rowdy Crew, UTSA Cheer, ROTC and UTSA’s Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band. History of athletics fees UTSA’s athletics fee was first established in 2004 after a student-led initiative proposed starting the fee to fund campus recreation, student services and athletics. It was approved by students with a 63% majority vote. ‘Runners have paid a semesterly fee of $20 per credit hour since 2011. The fee was gradually increased from $10 after
65.9% of students approved the proposal in 2007, which ultimately helped fund the addition of UTSA’s football program. In 2018, the athletics department attempted to increase the fee and eliminate the 12-credit hour cap, but the campaign was unsuccessful. The proposed increase would have raised the fee by one dollar per credit hour in 2018-19 and another dollar in 2019-20. However, 76.7% of students rejected the measure. How to vote Voting for the proposed fee increase will take place alongside the UTSA Spirit of the Roadrunner elections during homecoming week. Students can access the ballot from 8 a.m. Oct. 25 to 11:50 p.m. Oct. 26 by signing into rowdylink. utsa.edu. There will be two informational sessions where students can learn more about the proposed fee increase from UTSA leadership, including Dr. Campos, president Taylor Eighmy and Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students LT Robinson. The first session will be held at 5:30
SGA addresses tuition and budgets By Kara Lee Graphic Editor In last week’s General Assembly, the Student student fees covered 60% of our budget. So that means Government Association (SGA) brought guest when we added football we added more revenue, speakers Associate Dean of Students Jessica Dawson, donations and scholarships,” Dr. Campos said. Athletic Director Dr. Lisa Campos and District 10 Dr. Campos also remarked she wants to make an Councilman Marc Whyte on stage. investment in the classroom and career initiatives on The main initiative of the night was to give insight campus. Before COVID-19, there were 100 student into why UTSA has frozen its tuition rates and what workers in the athletics departments but many were let that means for students. In exchange for go due to budget constraints. the frozen tuition rates, UTSA athletics Next, the assembly welcomed Marc partnered with Student Affairs to Whyte, a newly elected city councilman. announce a proposed increase Whyte remarked how elements of the in the mandatory athletics fee assembly were similar to his job as assessed to all students every a city councilman, adding that he is semester. glad to see college students getting The proposed increase could involved and learning from each add an estimated half to $1 other. million to the budget, currently After all the guests were done slated at $47 million. speaking, the board shared some Dr. Campos emphasized that events SGA will be having. This the fee increase would bring more Thursday, Sept. 28, there will be a GA C ou national visibility to UTSA, explaining vaccine clinic from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. rtesy of UTSA S how, on a national level, better sports teams in the Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28) for bring more exposure to universities. “Seven out students who need a flu and COVID-19 shot. of the last nine years, the football champions played SGA then moved on to discuss their proposed budget in the New Year’s six bowls,” she said. “Millions of for Fall 2023 using an open forum approach. Interim people are watching and will go to recognize UTSA Director Chantea Swinson-Rhoe heavily stressed the embracing the spirit.” budget is subject to change. “[Budgets] are subject to Dr. Campos claimed that the last time the fee was change based on the needs and direction you do within increased, the addition of a football program opened your committees. So this will fluctuate based on what a whole new door for UTSA athletics. Since then, you do in your committees,” Swinson-Rhoe said. football has allowed UTSA to generate more revenue The total proposed budget for the 2023-24 academic and scholarships. “The [athletic] fee equates to about year is $47,173. See SGA on page 2 35% of our overall operating budget. Before football,
p.m. on Oct. 3 in the Harris/Travis Rooms (HSU 2.202 and 2.212), located in the H-E-B Student Union on the Main Campus. The second session will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the La Villita Room, located in the Durango Building on the Downtown Campus.
“It was very clear that it’s not just about football, that students want us to [invest in] soccer, volleyball, golf [and] all the other programs.” Dr. Campos presented the “Everyone Wins” campaign Thursday at the Student Government Association general assembly. Students can find more information and ask questions about the campaign at utsa. edu/everyonewins, where Dr. Campos will respond to student comments weekly.
UTSA freezes in-state tuition at 2021 rates By Luna Infante Staff Writer In the legislature’s efforts to reduce college education costs, UTSA has recently changed the annual tuition price. On Aug. 24, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted at their board meeting to keep certain tuition fees at the same rates for the next two years. Since then, UTSA has frozen in-state costs for undergraduate students, including tuition and all academic fees. Under this umbrella are mandatory academic fees, academic-related general fees and class course fees for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. This decision will freeze UTSA’s tuition rate at its Fall 2021 rate. UTSA’s tuition and fees are $4,495 per semester for undergraduate in-state students taking 12 credit hours per semester. This is the third lowest rate for research universities in the University of Texas System. Additionally, UTSA’s total financial aid and scholarship disbursement is esti-
mated to top $300 million. Seventy-one percent of UTSA’s student population is eligible for need-based financial aid, and over 43% receive federal Pell grants. Pell grants are provided to students with greater financial need. Undergraduate students who receive no family contribution to their college costs have 90% or more of their tuition covered through financial aid, provided they submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the necessary deadlines and meet eligibility criteria. This year, rather than opening in October, FAFSA will be opening in December. UTSA President Taylor Eighmy shares his enthusiasm in a UTSA press release: “I appreciate the Board’s action. As the cost of living rises across the nation and here in Texas, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide a top-quality education at an affordable price.”