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Intercollegiate Athletics and Spirit Fee

Overview

The current "Intercollegiate Athletics/Spirit Fee," established in 2009, primarily supports scholarships, travel, coaches, and other aspects of athletic programs. However, this fee does not adequately address the urgent need for upgrades and replacements of our athletic facilities. Our existing venues are outdated and unable to accommodate the growing demands from both club and intercollegiate sports, as well as campus events such as intramurals, concerts, and shows.

To address this, we propose an increase in the Intercollegiate Athletics/Spirit Fee. The additional revenue will be used to significantly improve and modernize our athletic facilities, including upgrades to fields, courts, tracks, seating, and technological and audio-visual systems. This fee could also allow the ability to develop new facilities which will benefit the entire student population and enrich campus life.

In addition, a portion of the proposed increase would provide scholarship support for student-athletes who participate in club sports. This would ease the financial burden for several of our club sports student-athletes.

Proposed Solution

The proposed fee increase will enable both current and future intercollegiate athletic venues to be upgraded, ensuring they meet the needs of all Sacramento State students and contribute to a more positive and enriching campus experience.

Proposed Fee Options

Pros for Raising an Intercollegiate/Spirit Fee

Raising an intercollegiate/spirit fee can have several positive impacts.

  • Financial Impact: The fee is part of the cost of attendance and can be covered by financial aid.
  • Expanded Facility Hours: With increased funding, intercollegiate athletic facilities can operate for longer hours, providing all students with more opportunities to engage in physical activities, workouts, and recreational events.
  • Host Non-Athletic Events: New audio and visual equipment would enhance the quality of events and presentations, making them more engaging and professional. These improvements would also expand the ability to host graduations, concerts, festivals, and outside speakers.
  • Expanding Student Opportunities: The additional funds would benefit club sports, recreational sports, and intramurals, academic classes in fields like kinesiology and performing arts, ROTC, and intercollegiate athletics by expanding and upgrading current facilities and possibly creating new and unique opportunities.
  • Support for Club Sports: A portion of the fee increase would be designated for scholarships to club sports student-athletes. The scholarship support should ease the financial burden that many club sports student-athletes experience.
  • Modernize and Upgrade Facilities: Funds would improve the overall student experience with the addition of permanent restrooms, concessions, and seating.
  • Improved Maintenance and Repairs: Increased revenue would facilitate the repair and upkeep of shared intercollegiate athletic facilities, addressing issues such as cracked concrete, broken floorboards, insufficient field drainage, and deteriorating bleachers. Proper maintenance ensures a safe and high-quality environment for all users.

Cons for Raising an Intercollegiate/Spirit Fee

Raising an intercollegiate/spirit fee could also have several potential challenges. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the cons:

  • Potential Decrease in Facility Access: If the fee increase does not occur, It may result in further delays in repairs and upgrades; thus, the facilities could continue to deteriorate, potentially reducing access to student usage rather than increasing access. This could negate the intended benefits of the fee increase.
  • Equipment Deterioration: If the fee increase is not approved, without proper maintenance, existing equipment could further deteriorate, potentially leading to safety concerns and increased risk of injury for students participating in athletic and recreational activities.
  • Increased Student Fees: The fee increases of $25 or $75 starting in Fall 2025, with annual cost-of-living adjustments, could place additional financial burdens on students who are not covered by financial aid.
  • Not every student utilizes the facilities: The fee increase would benefit students who participate in club sports and NCAA sports, attend Sac State athletic events, intramurals, recreation, ROTC, Kinesiology classes, and select performing arts classes. However, not every student participates in one or more of those activities.