The Football Opportunities Committee’s proposal to expand varsity athletics facilities is finally making its way to the Board of Trustees (BOT) Friday with the suggestion to cap general student fees. The Appalachian reported last week both the faculty and student senates oppose the proposal. Capping these fees will mean the loss of a 5 percent increase to areas under general fees. This 5 percent will instead fund the expansion of Owens Field House, new entrance gates for Kidd Brewer Stadium, resurfacing the stadium field and renovating Varsity Gymnasium.
    Sounds like a good deal, right?
    Maybe not for every student.
    General fees include educational and technology, Health Services, University Recreation, Cultural Affairs, the student union, book rentals and transportation. Students directly benefit under these areas by having cheaper textbooks, lower ticket prices on cultural events, free AppalCART transportation, free medical services and the use of computer labs on campus.
    Students also benefit from employment opportunities offered under these programs.
    Student employees working in W.H. Plemmons Student Union, computer labs, University Recreation and even AppalCART services may be the first to feel the crunch if this proposal is passed by the BOT.
    Therefore, some students will benefit from improved varsity athletics facilities and some students will lose income.
    University Recreation alone employs over 400 students. Slicing off the 5 percent may result in slashing work hours or even lowering wages.
    Directors of departments under general fees told The Appalachian last semester no existing student employee will lose his or her job, but that fewer positions may be filled next year.
    And what does it mean when there are fewer employees?
    We’ve seen it happen recently with the shortage of faculty on campus due to a hiring freeze.
    Without workers to fill certain hours, computer lab hours may be shortened, information desk and game room hours in the student union may see cuts and intramurals in need of student officials may take a little longer to play through. Currently, some intramural games extend into the early morning hours because of the large number of teams and shortage of space.
    On top of the employee cutbacks, students may end up paying more to attend events brought to campus by cultural affairs.
    These events are met with subsidies from student fees to keep ticket prices low. If the money is not there, students will have to make up for the loss through higher ticket prices.
    The student union may have to leave repair projects on hold. Walls may be left unpainted, broken furniture may go without repair and old carpet may not be replaced.
    The AppalCART may not be able to replace old buses or keep current services in place.
    Are these costs really worth it to enhance varsity athletic facilities right this moment?
    If this plan to expand and renovate is placed on hold until more money is available from private funds, then the entire student body may not have to suffer as money is pulled from the areas they use and need the most.