Students to vote on future fee increase

Students will see fee increases in the coming years, and the Cal State Long Beach athletics department is working to pass another.

The Student Fee Advisory Committee approved the request by the athletics department on Nov. 7 to send the Beach Legacy Fund proposal to referendum. The referendum will allow students to vote on the fund, which would increase student fees by $95 per fall and spring semester and $70 per summer term, starting with the fall 2010 class.

This means that currently enrolled students who continue their education in fall 2010 would not have to pay the fee.

Originally the referendum stated that the fee would be assessed for fall 2009, but during the committee meeting, David Benedict, the senior associate athletics director for external relations, said planning would take a year.

The athletic department also proposed that the Beach Legacy fee would be adjusted every three years from the date of passage to compensate for inflation.

Benedict and Wayne Stickney-Smith of the athletics department presented the referendum to the committee and answered questions about the proposal.

During the presentation, Benedict said that in 2007, athletics had the best year ever for fundraising, but there needs to be an increase in endowment funds in order to reach the level the department wants to be at.

The referendum argues that the CSULB campus lacks outdoor recreational facilities for all students, including those who are involved in club sports, intramurals or just want to play on campus.

The referendum states, "The collegiate experience reaches beyond the classroom and it is time to provide everyone with access to a physical plant that can enhance student development and community participation."

The Beach Legacy Referendum claims that more than $1.6 million of unrestricted funds will become available for the University Community to improve campus life. Some of the improvements outlined in the referendum include creating scholarships for athletes, increasing operating budgets, and renovation and construction of athletic facilities.

The referendum will also allow for the construction of three lighted synthetic turf playing fields, a lighted track and field/soccer complex with a seating capacity of up to 5,000 people, restrooms, locker rooms and lights for the university swimming pool.

A subcommittee has been formed to oversee the referendum, plan how to publicize the pros and cons of the issue and present its recommendations to the entire committee. The members of the subcommittee are Doug Robinson, Erin Swetland, Chris Chavez, Brian Troutner, Amanda Thyden, Sharon Taylor, Marilei Denali and Jeff Yutrzenka.