To combat about $20,000 in budget cuts next year, Campus Recreation created two possibilities that would make students responsible for generating new revenue.
In the first option, students could pay an optional quarterly $20 fee that would cover their participation in intramural sports and fitness classes at Ping Student Recreation Center. It would generate about $450,000 in initial revenue during the school year, according to the proposal.
In the second, every intramural team would pay between $50 and $150 to play, depending on the sport. Students in fitness classes would pay $40 per person per class. This would generate about $120,000 for the school year when taking into consideration the number of teams that would decide not to participate.
In addition to coping with the cut, Campus Recreation would use the money to put artificial turf on the intramural fields. This year, the department received nearly $2 million from students' general fees.
Chris Diehl, Student Senate's Academic Affairs commissioner, presented Campus Recreation's proposal at last night's senate meeting. The majority of the senate said it preferred the first option but overall was not supportive of Campus Recreation's proposal to make students pay.
City and County Affairs Commissioner Amanda Estok, who is also an OU tour guide, said she believed prospective students would balk at the thought of paying for intramurals and classes.
My biggest selling point on my tours is the free classes and free intramural sports
Estok said. That lights up faces. I know this will not go over well at all.
This is the third optional student fee proposed this year, coming after the student health and activity fees. The health fee, which will fund improved health care in Student Health Services, will go into effect in the fall with students having an option to pay $40 per quarter. If a student decides not to pay the health fee, he or she would spend $15 for a typical office visit.
Diehl said there is no threat to terminate the intramural program should the senate not support either option. Currently, Budget Planning Council has delayed discussing Campus Recreation's requests for an unspecified time. 17
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Kristina Hauptmann
