UTSA athletics is proposing an increase to the mandatory athletics fee assessed to all students each semester. Students can vote on the proposed increase on a ballot co-presented by Student Affairs and athletics on Oct. 25 and 26 via RowdyLink. If approved, the fee will increase by $1.50 per credit hour each year for five years starting in Spring 2024.
UTSA students currently pay a semesterly athletics fee of $20 per credit hour, capped at 12 credit hours, or $240. If the initiative passes, the fee will increase each academic year until 2027-28, reaching a total fee of $27.50 per credit hour and a maximum fee of $330.
“We’ve had the opportunity to speak to a lot of organizations about what athletics is doing well [and] what we need to improve,” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director Dr. Lisa Campos said. “It was very clear that it’s not just about football, that students want us to [invest in] soccer, volleyball, golf [and] all the other programs.”
The athletics fee makes up approximately 35% of the total athletics operating budget. The budget includes athletic scholarships, where “seven million dollars of the operating budget goes back to the institution through tuition and fees.”
According to Dr. Campos, the proposed fee increase would help build awareness around UTSA’s athletics program, promote university pride, add student worker positions and enhance the student experience of athletic events by providing more transportation and hosting celebrations, events and giveaways. The funding would also go towards supporting spirit groups like Rowdy Crew, UTSA Cheer, ROTC and UTSA’s Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band.
History of athletics fees
UTSA’s athletics fee was first established in 2004 after a student-led initiative, which proposed starting the fee to fund campus recreation, student services and athletics, was approved by students with a 63% majority vote.
‘Runners have paid a semesterly fee of $20 per credit hour since 2011. The fee was gradually increased from $10 after 65.9% of students approved the proposal in 2007, which ultimately helped fund the addition of UTSA’s football program.
In 2018, the athletics department attempted to increase the fee and eliminate the 12-credit hour cap, but the campaign was unsuccessful. The proposed increase would have raised the fee by one dollar per credit hour in 2018-19 and another dollar in 2019-20. However, 76.7% of students rejected the measure.
How to vote
Voting for the proposed fee increase will take place alongside the UTSA Spirit of the Roadrunner elections during homecoming week. Students can access the ballot from 8 a.m. Oct. 25 to 11:50 p.m. Oct. 26 by signing into rowdylink.utsa.edu.
There will be two informational sessions where students can learn more about the proposed fee increase from UTSA leadership, including Dr. Campos, President Taylor Eighmy and Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students LT Robinson.
The first session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Harris/Travis Rooms (HSU 2.202 and 2.212), located in the H-E-B Student Union on the Main Campus. The second session will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the La Villita Room, located in the Durango Building on the Downtown Campus.
Dr. Campos presented the “Everyone Wins” campaign Thursday at the Student Government Association general assembly. Students can find more information and ask questions about the campaign at utsa.edu/everyonewins, where Dr. Campos will respond to student comments weekly.
