Miami University students pay $1,722 annually for the student general fee. This fee funds various outlets including the Recreational Sports Center, music organizations and lecture series. But the largest part of the fee, 50 percent, goes to Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA). It receives $13.8 million per year to fund operating costs that aren't covered by ICA revenue. ICA is considered an auxiliary enterprise and is supposed to be self-supporting, but like with most schools across the country, the athletic department needs money from the fee to cover its costs.
Although there are some who argue athletics shouldn't receive a larger portion of the fee, the editorial board of The Miami Student understands athletic departments are costly, and Miami is on track with other schools in the Mid-American Conference. Student fees are the nationwide trend for athletic funding. Athletics are expensive and, if students want teams to represent them nationwide, they have to be willing to help pay these costs.
Sports are an important part of the college experience.
Whether it's tailgating with your friends before the Rumble on the River or camping out for hockey tickets, sports bring people together. It was great to turn on ESPN and see the Redhawks hockey team in the Frozen Four. The hockey team got Miami's name out there and gave students and alumni another reason to be proud of their university.
Athletics bring diversity to Miami's campus. They attract students from all over the nation and from various backgrounds to the university, enriching all students' complete Miami experience.
Winning records obviously encourage higher ticket sales and make people more willing to donate, but it is still important to support these teams during their restructuring and growth. They represent the university, and even during the losing times, they are part of Miami and every student has the opportunity to support them.
Even though this board supports using the student fee for ICA, it encourages ICA to examine its spending and ensure its budget is used to cover the essentials. As all departments have had to watch their spending carefully, the board hopes ICA does also, to make sure students are getting the most from these fees so they aren't increased.
The board also hopes ICA keeps the goal of becoming self-sufficient in the foreground by watching spending and working to increase revenue and donations. Until they reach this point, the board supports the use of the student fee for athletics because of the diversity and pride sports inspire.
