Some departments will have to “tighten up the belts” to make way for varsity athletic improvements, said Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski Tuesday.
    Departments under general fees such as technology, health services and student activities would have benefited from an annual 5 percent increase. Instead, those departments will relinquish that increase to fund a plan to enhance varsity athletic facilities.
    Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert L. Shaffer said Tuesday the 5 percent increase would have gone towards general fees. These areas will now remain static for the next academic year.
    This recommendation comes from the Football Opportunities Study Committee, appointed by Borkowski last February.
    Shaffer said the Football Opportunities Study Committee approved a $32 million plan to enhance varsity athletics. The recommended plan will create additional seating in Kidd Brewer Stadium, resurface the field, expand Owens Field House, refurbish Varsity Gymnasium, and create new gates to the stadium and additional restrooms, Shaffer said.
    Shaffer said committee members also approved a recommendation to fund part of the plan through student fees.
    “Normally fees go up every year to handle inflationary costs and we’re looking at all of the categories and capping that,” said Borkowski. “There’s a lot of tweaking that has to go on here. So nothing is firm.”
    Borkowski said taking away the 5 percent increase would not have a large impact, and departments that will be affected will be ready to tighten their budgets.
    Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, vice chancellor for student development, said departments have received the 5 percent increase for the past five years. With the fee restructuring recommended by the committee, those areas will do without the expected increase.
    The committee also approved a marketing plan to develop fundraisers that will cover the rest of the projected $32 million undertaking. Roachel J. Laney, director of athletics, said Tuesday that recommended student fee increase would cover costs for the resurfacing of the field, renovating Varsity Gymnasium, expanding Owens Field House and the cost of new gates for Kidd Brewer Stadium.
    This plan will now move to the Board of Trustees (BOT) for another vote, said Shaffer.
    The BOT will vote on the recommendation in December.
    As far as student fee increases are concerned, Borkowski said he is “sensitive to the tuition issue” and does not wish to see any tuition increases, but that feasibility dictated the use of student fees.
    “We needed what was feasible and this is what emerged,” Borkowski said. Laney said public money could not be used for the athletics project and fundraising and gifts may not cover the entire cost.
    Borkowski said the plan to raise student fees is a minimal plan compared to some other suggestions raised by committee members.
    “There was a fair amount of pressure to lay [the cost for the project] all on students,” said Borkowski. This plan will hopefully minimize the impact on students, Borkowski said.
    Borkowski said he has no idea what the final tuition cost including fees will be next year since the state may further change the final cost. He said he realizes the university’s current financial difficulties, but that now is a good time for the Football Opportunities Study Committee recommendation.
    “I surely understand the timing relative to fiscal restraints we are operating under,” said Borkowski.
    However, Borkowski said the timing for the athletics expansion project fits well into the university’s campaign schedule. With the last major funding campaign complete, Borkowski said it would be a good time to begin a fundraising campaign on a smaller scale specifically for the athletics project. This campaign will bring in funds to cover what is not covered by student fee increases.
    “We finished our campaign, our major campaign. This is a good time,” Borkowski said.
    “This is kind of a mini campaign focusing on athletic areas.”
    Borkowski said the need for the improved facilities also determines the timeliness of the varsity athletic project.
    “Physical facilities are part of a learning environment,” said Borkowski. Borkowski said that these facilites are key to the learning experience of Appalachian athletes.
    Borkowski said the current facilities were inadequate, calling the visitors’ locker rooms in Owens Field House “the worst in the Southern Conference.”
    “This certainly doesn’t engender the kind of spirit and good will and financial support that Appalachian has engendered in many other ways because the facilities are not adequate,” Borkowski said.