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Show OPINIONS www.uvureview.corn APRIL 11, 2011 VOL L ISSUE 30 Want in on a great investment? Students pay for a portion of the school's athletic programs, and although the return may not be obvious when one looks at ticket sales, the program serves other purposes. By Mike Sanborn Asst. Opinions Editor ew people like paying dues and F fees. Most people like cheering for at least one sports team. These two statements do not appear to follow any sense of normal logic, but on a university campus, the two are linked more closely than one would expect. As part of the cost to attend school this year, full-time students paid $616 in student fees on top of their base annual tuition. These fees paid for things such as student activities, building bonds and student health services. Approximately one-third of the money also went to support university athletics as approved by the Utah State Board of Regents. All told, athletics received in the ballpark of $3 million from the students. This raises the issue of whether or not students are receiving their money's worth. Athletics at this school is not a money-maker. In fact, similar to most universities, it isn't even in the black. Still, many of the teams that this university fields successfully compete in-conference and hold their own when playing out-of-conference. Two All-Americans wore wolverine green this year and a host of others have garnered Great West Conference honors. The relationship that athletics and academics have is tricky and difficult to quantify. Winning games on a basketball court will not affect test scores in the classroom, but they do have an impact on the school. Take the recent experiences of Butler University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Neither school is a large athletic pow- Obama just announced he will be running for the 2012 election. As candidates enter the race, if the election were now who would you vote for and why? Photos by Celeste Tholen Rosenlof/UVU Review Shane Maryott/UVU Review All-American recognition this year for UVU athletes such as Ben Kjar, increase university visibility better than any marketing scheme could. erhouse, but both boast a rich academic environment. As part of their Cinderella success in the NCAA Tournament, the two received a national spotlight that drew attention to their basketball teams and the universities that they represent. Michael Jacobsen, Athletic Director for UVU, pointed to a recent news broadcast that "the exposure they got was equal to $600 million." Exposure and prestige on a playing field impacts academic prestige and success directly, and athletics have already played a part in academics at this university. "Years ago, we ran a survey; we'd had four-year programs for ten years" said Jacobsen, "and 12 percent of the people on the survey in Utah County responded that they knew we had four year programs." In talks with the university president at the time, Jacobsen attributed the misconception to athletics teams competing with known junior colleges in the state. Both agreed on the move up to Division I status. "What comes first, Division I athletics or university, I don't know," said Jacobsen, "but Division I athletics came before the university came. But they all go together, they all parallel each other." Aside from the entertainment value of games, university athletics expose the university to attention in ways that they money cannot buy. When UVU received approval for the science building expansion, only the local media cared to run the story. When an athlete like Ronnie Price, Isiah Williams or Ben Kjar performs on a level that wins national merit, the story reaches a national audience. Academics and athletics have a symbiotic relationship at a university. No matter how high a level a school's academics reach, athletics play a part in advertising that success and creating community support. If either were to struggle or wither, both would be adversely affected. Student fees that go into the cost of running the athletics program aid in exposing the school to the nation as a legitimate four-year university. By contributing to athletics, students plant the school's colors on the national landscape. No one likes paying fees, but at least this money sees a return on the investment. Probably Mitt Romney because he's shown he can do well with financial issues. Jared Farish Drafting, senior Donald Trump because he knows how to run a business. Zach Lundgreen International Business, senior Paying the price at the pump Using alternative transportation could alleviate the parking stress at school. By Brianna Bailey Opinions Writer I Jake Buntjer/UVU Review As conflict in Libya continues, gas prices rise and students may consider other transportation options. nternational affairs are directly affecting student finances and some need alternate solutions to commute within their budgets. This campus, specifically, is a large commuter school, serving students throughout the Wasatch area. The university does not provide on-campus housing, so every student has a commute, whether it's 10 minutes or an hour. "Students that have either a long or short drive commuting to campus or work will be affected. ... A spike in gas prices is felt," said Dr. Michael Minch of the Peace and Justice Studies Program. Instead of students stretching their financial capacity, they could make joint efforts in finding alternate solutions for transportation. One alternative for students is the UTA EdPass. The pass currently costs $20 for one year, but if a pass is purchased now, it will only last until September. Despite recent conflict surrounding the pass when UTA announced they would be cutting their subsidy for the EdPass program, options will be available. Although the student government initially voted to cut ties with UTA and no longer subsidize it either, student backlash has resulted in a new proposal by Vice President of Finance and Administration Val Peterson. Starting next fall, the annual EdPass will cost $120. It may be six times the price it is now, but it will still be more economical than driving. Another alternative way of commuting to school would be to develop a carpool schedule with friends and take turns driving. This can greatly reduce a student's demand for driving and will help reduce the amount spent on gas. As the weather warms up, anyone who lives close enough can ride their bike to school, a costeffective and physically beneficial transport. Depending upon how close someone lives to campus, walking is another option for students if they plan to leave in advance for class. But even when gas prices are very low, everyone should be aware and efficient in how they use their automobiles, especially considering with the harm carbon emissions have on the planet and our reliance on that commodity. Minch said, "[Reliance on personal vehicles] can create global warming and dependence on foreign oil and oil period." Decreased driving can also help improve the parking mayhem on campus. Fewer people driving means fewer people scavenging for spots throughout the day. As students become more aware of other transportation options and become committed to using them, it relieves the stress felt by students who have to drive themselves when finding a spot and making it to their classes. The foreign affairs behind the gas prices are not alterable on the personal level, but as students and others make efforts to relieve the dependence upon oil, we will be more self-sufficient and cope better with the situation. I have absolutely no idea. I don't follow poli- tics at all. Madison James Elementary Education, freshman I voted for Mitt Romney last time, and I'd vote for him again. He has a business background and that's what we need right now. Plus he has leadership experience from the Olympics and as governor in a Democratic state, so I think he would bring equilibrium. Rachel Asplund International Business/Ultrasound, junior I'd vote for Obama. I'm Hispanic and we lean Democratic and I grew up with that mentality. Aurora Palacio Biology, senior |