UM raises student fees for new facilities

[ronbo]

It's looking more and more like they are prepping for a possible move up.

ASUM approves fee increase; senator resigns
by Jayme Fraser | April 15, 2010 | Montana Kaimin

University of Montana students will now pay an additional $26.10 each semester after the ASUM Senate’s approval of an increase to the mandatory athletic fee, funding a renovation plan that would create new facilities.
More than 120 student athletes in support of the resolution poured out of the room where the student senate met in the UC Wednesday night, crowding the doorways to hear the heated discussion that ended with Sen. Ray Davis announcing his resignation.

Many athletes expressed their concerns to the senate.

“Right now, we are operating with a very poor facility and we are giving everybody pretty phenomenal results. This is a trend that will very likely not continue with this facility,” track athlete and former ASUM Sen. Mary Kettering said. “Our’s pales in comparison to facilities other Division I schools can offer.”

The resolution, which passed with only Davis in opposition, increased the mandatory athletic fee paid by all students from $46 to $72.10. The permanent fee increase is slated to convert UM’s Art Annex into a new weight room for athletes, build a new art annex and renovate the current weight room into a study area for the athletes.
At the meeting, Athletic Director Jim O’Day, as well as vice presidents Jim Foley and Bob Duringer, discussed the current ideas for the projects, which are still in early planning stages.

Foley said the most likely location for the new art annex would be near the East Broadway Park-N-Ride across the river from campus. Duringer said he anticipates the building could be finished in summer 2012 if construction begins in summer 2011.

Though the Dean of Visual and Performing Arts Stephen Kalm wasn’t present at the meeting, O’Day said the arts school is excited to work with the athletic program on this project.

ASUM President Matt Fennell said he supported the resolution because it addressed the health and safety concerns of both the student athletes and those enrolled in arts courses that must work in a poorly ventilated building.
“The materials they work with create airborne particulars, silica, that will coat your lungs and cause respiratory illness,” he said.

But liberal arts student Sara Horvath questioned the suggested location of the new building.
“I think there is an obvious student athlete need, but the arts always gets overlooked,” Horvath said. “It’s a big inconvenience for the arts students to go all the way across the river.”

Some senators, too, expressed concern that the location could disenfranchise those students.

Sen. Patrick Rhea, chair of the Transportation Committee, said it would cost at least an additional $70,000 to suitably improve Park-N-Ride services to that location, not including the cost of a new bus.

Senators Rhea, Davis, and others said they were concerned about making a hasty decision about a 50 percent increase to the fee with very little information on how the money would be used since the plans are only in infancy.

“I’m making a $700,000-decision here based on five sentences that say why it’s important,” Rhea said. “I have no clear understanding of where and how we are going to do this project and what role private donors would play in it. I can’t make this decision based on five sentences. While I recognize that while we had a large turnout of student athletes, there are still 14,000 other people on this campus that will not directly benefit.”

Rhea said he would be much more comfortable allowing the entire student body to vote on the proposal during ASUM elections on Cyberbear later this month. He said that if the measure passed without going to a full student vote, he’d question the decision with the senate’s Constitutional Review Board. At the end of the night, he added the topic to the agenda for next week’s meeting.

The resolution was amended before passage to clarify that the increase would fund only facilities maintenance and construction, not athlete scholarships or other program costs.

When the resolution passed at 11:07 p.m., many in the crowd hooted appreciatively or expressed surprise that the measure passed with little revision and without a full student body vote.

But the senators’ discussion of student fees did not end so soon.

After working months with the student-led nonprofit MontPIRG on its plan to fully reestablish a UM chapter, senators battled over the ballot language that students would see during elections regarding the reinstatement of a $5 refundable fee for MontPIRG.

During public comment, several students spoke about the resolution, some in adamant support and others in certain opposition. All of the supporters had previously interned with MontPIRG and negated claims that the group was partisan, emphasizing the scope of the nonprofit’s work.

All of the opposition said they were offended by MontPIRG’s claim that it is the only student organization that trains students to campaign and advocate for issues. They said they learned the same skills as members of other groups like College Republicans and Forward Montana. Two people expressed concern that MontPIRG would operate with essentially no ASUM oversight, denying students an opportunity to influence how their money is spent.

By the meeting’s end at 1 a.m., the resolution was tabled for later discussion and Davis passed his handwritten resignation to Vice President Emily May before silently walking out of the room.

Most of the remaining senators expressed sadness at his decision during closing comments.

“I resigned because I can no longer stand by the decision-making process of the ASUM senate,” Davis said after he left. “We grilled Jamie (Bennett) and Jared (Trilling) and the MontPIRG board to give us every single detail and answer all of our questions and not only did we not scrutinize the athletic fee, we passed the resolution based on hearsay and fear tactics.”

Davis said he would have voted for the fee increase if the senate had been presented with more thorough information and if it were lower.

He said he did not resign over the fee itself, but rather because he’s lost confidence in the ASUM Senate’s dedication to thoroughness for students.

“On a resolution that discusses a new $5 student fee we scrutinize the fine details, but, a moment before, just passed a resolution for a $26 increase that costs students $700,000 a year,” Davis said. “I will not stand in front of the student body and support that decision when there was so little information.”

[dbackjon]

Wonder if anyone will challenge it not going to a vote?

At NAU, any fees like that had to be approved by a full student vote.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Wonder if anyone will challenge it not going to a vote?

At NAU, any fees like that had to be approved by a full student vote.

I don't know but it works for the grand plan no matter what. If it were to go to a student vote and fail then the reasoning for O'day to move up and make more money is even stronger.

[grizzaholic]

I kind of find it odd that everytime a fee or a tax is implemented they never ever go away. When gas was high, all the delivery, ok most, places said here is a couple dollar gas tax. Yet when gas came back down, the tax is still there.

I cannot remember any tax/fee that the U of M has ever put in place and when said building/renovation/erection was completed that the fee was removed. Maybe I am just whining.

[Silenoz]

I don't see how this gets through the student vote. They voted down a freaking $7 increase for a couple thousand more seats with the last expansion.

[grizzaholic]

I don't see how this gets through the student vote. They voted down a freaking $7 increase for a couple thousand more seats with the last expansion.

I thought they just fixed up the weight room not a couple years ago? Maybe I am confused. What is that big glass encased room/building between tailgate row and the Adams Center?

[Silenoz]

I don't see how this gets through the student vote. They voted down a freaking $7 increase for a couple thousand more seats with the last expansion.

I thought they just fixed up the weight room not a couple years ago? Maybe I am confused. What is that big glass encased room/building between tailgate row and the Adams Center?

That is the campus weight room, not the AD specific one

[grizzaholic]

I thought they just fixed up the weight room not a couple years ago? Maybe I am confused. What is that big glass encased room/building between tailgate row and the Adams Center?

That is the campus weight room, not the AD specific one

Gotcha

[GrizFan5]

"It's looking more and more like they are prepping for a possible move up."

I think it's funny that whenever UM athletics does anything these days, there are now some people who try to spin it as an indication of moving up.

[SDHornet]

Wonder if anyone will challenge it not going to a vote?

At NAU, any fees like that had to be approved by a full student vote.

I don't know but it works for the grand plan no matter what. If it were to go to a student vote and fail then the reasoning for O'day to move up and make more money is even stronger.

The Sac State President faced a similar situation last spring. An athletic fee increase was on the student ballot and it got voted down. President Gonzales then forcibly raised the athletic fee anyways.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I don't know but it works for the grand plan no matter what. If it were to go to a student vote and fail then the reasoning for O'day to move up and make more money is even stronger.

The Sac State President faced a similar situation last spring. An athletic fee increase was on the student ballot and it got voted down. President Gonzales then forcibly raised the athletic fee anyways.

Gotta love that kind of a democratic process don't ya?

[DJH]

They should just play an FBS game.

[grizzaholic]

They should just play an FBS game.

Don't you have some farming to do?

[Grizalltheway]

They should just play an FBS game.

And make less money than we would off of a home game. Good call, Einstein.

[putter]

I think it's funny the students think that "the average student never sees the benefits". New buildings have been built from football revenue over the years, just not advertised that way. Griz football money has funded a ton of stuff on that campus, over and above any student fees.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I think it's funny the students think that "the average student never sees the benefits". New buildings have been built from football revenue over the years, just not advertised that way. Griz football money has funded a ton of stuff on that campus, over and above any student fees.

Not only that but back when I was there we had a charge for the arts and so forth. I didn't use that shit a whole lot but never bitched about paying for it either.

[Grizalltheway]

I think it's funny the students think that "the average student never sees the benefits". New buildings have been built from football revenue over the years, just not advertised that way. Griz football money has funded a ton of stuff on that campus, over and above any student fees.

Not only that but back when I was there we had a charge for the arts and so forth. I didn't use that shit a whole lot but never bitched about paying for it either.

I swear the list of fees they have nowadays is longer than War and Peace.

[AZGrizFan]

Gotta love that pussy's "if-I-can't-get-my-way-I'm-gonna-take-my-ball-and-go-home" approach.

Douchebag. Good riddance.

[Herky]

Wonder if anyone will challenge it not going to a vote?

At NAU, any fees like that had to be approved by a full student vote.

Student fee increases do not have to be put to a vote, at least not in CA. For example, the year before last Sac State had students vote on whether or not to increase athletic fees, the initative failed. But, the President raised fee's anyway as it was within his power to do so. The president cited the fact that at least 50% of the entire student body must have voted, unfortunately for those not in favor of the increase, less than 15% of the student body voted either way.

I'm sure UM wouldnt have a problem, I havent heard of their fee's being increased like they have been in CA where just in the last year tuition has gone up 32%.

[Herky]

They should just play an FBS game.

I agree, they are unproven as of late in FBS competition. They are a great FCS program, but that doesnt make them FBS quality, they need to prove they belong in the FBS by playing some of the programs.

And the argument about how they make more money playing at home is old and played out, it's a pussy way of saying that theyre scared or that they really can't compete at the FBS level.

[Silenoz]

They should just play an FBS game.

I agree, they are unproven as of late in FBS competition. They are a great FCS program, but that doesnt make them FBS quality, they need to prove they belong in the FBS by playing some of the programs.

And the argument about how they make more money playing at home is old and played out, it's a pussy way of saying that theyre scared or that they really can't compete at the FBS level.

So is the argument that we're afraid of FBS. We're 5-5 in our last 10, no one besides New Hampshire and North Dakota State can match that. Hauck liked rolling into the playoffs with 11-0 or 10-1 marks and O'Day likes money, so that's the direction we took.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

They should just play an FBS game.

I agree, they are unproven as of late in FBS competition. They are a great FCS program, but that doesnt make them FBS quality, they need to prove they belong in the FBS by playing some of the programs.

And the argument about how they make more money playing at home is old and played out, it's a pussy way of saying that theyre scared or that they really can't compete at the FBS level.

As silenoz pointed out you are calling the answer to your question/statement "played out" while continue to make the same statements over and over. You probably can't see this for yourself so I'll point it out to ya...you are a fucking dummy.

We will continue to keep kicking the shit out of the vast majority of the wannabees that think that their school is playing those games to see how tough they are.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I agree, they are unproven as of late in FBS competition. They are a great FCS program, but that doesnt make them FBS quality, they need to prove they belong in the FBS by playing some of the programs.

And the argument about how they make more money playing at home is old and played out, it's a pussy way of saying that theyre scared or that they really can't compete at the FBS level.

So is the argument that we're afraid of FBS. We're 5-5 in our last 10, no one besides New Hampshire and North Dakota State can match that. Hauck liked rolling into the playoffs with 11-0 or 10-1 marks and O'Day likes money, so that's the direction we took.

The argument is actually quite the reverse from a few of the articles I've seen anyway. Col. Hogan posted one about this time last year that showed a lot of the bigger teams were now actively ducking teams like App, Richmond, & Montana because they could pay shleprocks like Sac St. too come in for less money and have a greater guarantee of a win. Why would an FBS team want to pay a bigger purse to a team that has a greater chance of pulling the upset? There is no upside for the FBS team whatsoever.

[Herky]

I agree, they are unproven as of late in FBS competition. They are a great FCS program, but that doesnt make them FBS quality, they need to prove they belong in the FBS by playing some of the programs.

And the argument about how they make more money playing at home is old and played out, it's a pussy way of saying that theyre scared or that they really can't compete at the FBS level.

As silenoz pointed out you are calling the answer to your question/statement "played out" while continue to make the same statements over and over. You probably can't see this for yourself so I'll point it out to ya... you are a **** dummy.

We will continue to keep kicking the **** out of the vast majority of the wannabees that think that their school is playing those games to see how tough they are.

Most programs do need the money, Sac State is one of them. It's not about proving anything with the schools that need to play those games, it is a financial decision for the most part, but I also think some FCS coaches like to play FBS teams on the off chance they end up winning.

The only reason anyone asks UM to prove they can compete at the FBS level is due to all holier than thou comments and posts about the UM program. If UM is sooooooo great, and is ready to compete in the WAC or MWC, then I'm sure one of the programs from one of those conferences would be happy to put UM in its place.

That's all really, I just want to see UM put their money where their mouth is, forego some home game revenue and prove they can compete against the WAC or MWC. As far as I can tell, UM is a great FCS program worthy of respect from every FCS fan out there, however, all the talk about "we could beat most teams in the WAC' or "UM could compete in the MWC" is unvalidated and pure speculation as UM wont go and play them. Prove they can compete in the WAC or MWC by playing the last place team in either conference. And dont start the talk about how they "could" beat the last place team.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

As silenoz pointed out you are calling the answer to your question/statement "played out" while continue to make the same statements over and over. You probably can't see this for yourself so I'll point it out to ya... you are a **** dummy.

We will continue to keep kicking the **** out of the vast majority of the wannabees that think that their school is playing those games to see how tough they are.

Most programs do need the money, Sac State is one of them. It's not about proving anything with the schools that need to play those games, it is a financial decision for the most part, but I also think some FCS coaches like to play FBS teams on the off chance they end up winning.

The only reason anyone asks UM to prove they can compete at the FBS level is due to all holier than thou comments and posts about the UM program. If UM is sooooooo great, and is ready to compete in the WAC or MWC, then I'm sure one of the programs from one of those conferences would be happy to put UM in its place.

That's all really, I just want to see UM put their money where their mouth is, forego some home game revenue and prove they can compete against the WAC or MWC. As far as I can tell, UM is a great FCS program worthy of respect from every FCS fan out there, however, all the talk about "we could beat most teams in the WAC' or "UM could compete in the MWC" is unvalidated and pure speculation as UM wont go and play them. Prove they can compete in the WAC or MWC by playing the last place team in either conference. And dont start the talk about how they "could" beat the last place team.

I don't know where you are seeing all that kind of talk on this board. Now if someone says we wouldn't be able to compete then in the interest of the discussion points will be brought up by some as to why they think we could compete.

You are acting a lot like BigSkyBears and others have in the past. You are sick of hearing about this or that but YOU bring it up and then act as if you are innocent in the process.

One reason that some may think that we could compete in those conferences is and has been a fairly simple mantra among ALL teams in the FCS. The top of FCS can compete fairly equally with the teams in the upper division that are in the #20 on down region of the poll. Now if that is true for all of our division then why isn't it true for UM? Because you would like to pick and choose who this applies to? Montana is and has been one of the top programs in the division for a long, long time. We should be able to compete with even more aplomb if we had another full line of athletes on each side of the ball like the FBS teams do.

I've said it many times...I love 1AA football...FCS football. We have built some great rivalries not only in our own conference but nationally to some extent. I like that this division has a playoff that even when the Griz fall short I can still maintain a rabid interest in the outcome of it.

In other words proving something to everybody on an FBS level just doesn't mean a fucking thing to me. It does to a lot of the rest of ya out there but we are an FCS team and proving something here means everything. It is the proper level for our football team, our culture, and our athletes an moving up doesn't seem like the proper fit when you look at all the factors but if you want to think that what you posted as far as the typical Griz fan's paradigm then go ahead with your bad self. I just don't see what you see on THIS board.