SGA leaders explain merit of proposed fee increase
SGA wants to continue bringing quality events to the university, but representatives say that will require more funding from the student body.
By Emily turner
Staff Reporter

Student Government Association treasurer George Peyton said that even though the House of Student Representatives has $121,000 in its reserve fund, a fee increase is necessary to improve quality programming and the university’s chance of becoming more nationally recognized.

SGA has proposed a bill to increase student government fees by $10, making the fee $30 a semester as opposed to the current $20. Students can vote on the issue during elections Nov. 12.

Peyton, a junior astronomy and physics major, said $60,000 from last year’s budget rolled over into this year’s reserve fund. The reserve fund is used as an extra source of money for specific situations, he said.

“It’s not good financial practice to always rely on the reserve fund,” Peyton said. “Eventually that would deplete the reserve and if we went over we would be in trouble.”

Cheryl Wilson, financial controller, said SGA collected approximately $260,000 in student fees for fall 2001 and spring 2002. At the end of the fiscal year in May, Wilson said SGA expenses were about $240,000.

Chris Mattingly, author of the proposed fees bill and SGA treasurer candidate, said inflation has made it difficult for SGA to pay for speakers and give organizations the money they request.

Rodney Thomas, a sophomore religion major and a candidate for vice president of House of Student Representatives, is the only candidate not to support the fee increase as it currently stands.

“I do not think students are aware of the fee increase,” Thomas said. “Representatives need to meet with constituents and tell them about it.”

SGA advisor Larry Markley said the cost for speakers has almost doubled in recent years. He said the fee increase will allow SGA to fund quality speakers and plan more concerts, festivals and other large events.

“With the fee increase, SGA will be able to revive some of the programming that has become too expensive for us,” Markley said.

Mattingly, a junior international accounting and finance major, said SGA wants to keep the fee as low as possible and that $10 more would be satisfactory for years to come.

“If the student body entrusted us with that amount of money, we should make better programming happen,” Mattingly said.

“The reserve is important because it helps us cover costs if SGA goes over budget,” Peyton said. He also said if Programming Council needs to put on a really important program or make a permanent improvement, badly needed money is taken from the reserve fund.

Peyton said the students should consider the fee increase if they want the university to be nationally recognized.

“If we are going to want to be like (University of Texas at Austin) or (Texas A&M University), fees need to go up,” Peyton said. “It is a reasonable amount that wouldn’t hurt students, but would help the TCU campus.”

Emily Turner