The recent athletic proposal by Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski’s Football Opportunities Committee is calling for $13 million from student fees and almost $17 million from private funds. This will pay for renovations and additions to Kidd Brewer Stadium, Owens Fields House and Varsity Gymnasium, according to the plan.
    Many of the improvements the proposal calls for will benefit varsity athletics, specifically varsity football.
    Those in agreement with this proposal are athletes who will directly benefit from these improvements, those who are not willing to wait for the money to be raised without further burdening the students and students who fail to realize the future implications of this decision.
    Yes, Kidd Brewer Stadium needs new locker rooms and women’s changing facilities. Better handicap access is also required. The press box has many blind spots but is not a dire need.
    What many students fail to realize is the can of worms this proposal may open for the future use of student fees. Student fees go to fund activities that affect the general student population, such as health services and cultural affairs.
    Our opposition to this plan lies not with the proposed additions and renovations, but from where the money will come.
    If the 2003-2004 budget is approved by the Board of Trustees Friday, future student fees may be used to fund projects that will not directly affect the students who pay the fee.
    Athletics Director Roachel J. Laney said in a Nov. 12 Student Government Association meeting “[The athletics proposal] doesn’t affect every student.”
    Asking most areas around campus that rely on the student fee increase to crunch their budget one more year is not a good choice for students or this campus.
    Currently six universities in the UNC system have proposed a tuition increase for the 2003-2004 academic year. Vice Chancellor for Student Development Gregory S. Blimling has said the current budget proposal will guarantee students will not be asked for a tuition increase for next year.
    How will students react when Appalachian administrators ask for a tuition increase exceeding 10 percent next semester, after the current athletic proposal is passed?
    Athletic proposal: not now, not student fees.