Student Engagement Proposal
“Conversations about raising fees are not exciting or fun. Raising student-assessed fees is not something that I initially ever thought I would be a part of; however, I believe that a fee increase is inevitable in the near future and will necessitate implementation in the coming years. With that being said, I do not want to raise student fees, but with the growing need and the fact that in the near future a fee increase will almost absolutely occur, I want to ensure that if an increase does happen that it benefits students across campus and not just one specific area. The structure of the Student Engagement Proposal was curated by a very diverse group of students from all areas of campus. With the help of administration, this group of students discussed the proposed fee’s total and the wide range of areas on campus which it could benefit. When I came to the realization that a fee increase was going to be continually brought up in the future even if we did not act on the
– Kiarra Bombard, Student Body President
conversation now, I came to terms with a very difficult part of student leadership: the fact that the people in every student leader position change very often and very quickly. I don’t know who will be in my position in the future, and I cannot guarantee that the people having conversations about future fee increase will have students’ best interest in their heart. Students, I can promise you that there was someone that looked like you and thought like you involved in the conversations about this fee. I can promise you that each of those students believe that this is the best scenario that it could be because we as a student body have the opportunity to compound the inevitable with contributions that can enact great and needed change across campus. I am not asking you to agree with a fee increase, but I am asking you to educate yourself on this initiative. Below are some
resources further explaining the Student Engagement Proposal.”
Where will the funding provided by this fee go?
Members of SGA worked with administration to determine five areas of the Tech student experience which have a specific need for funding:
Underserved Students
$3.00 per student per quarter
A portion of the revenue from this fee will be allocated to serving International, African American, Hispanic, and other students who are underrepresented on our campus. It will provide scholarship funds, programming funding, and other resources for minority students and student organizations. Our university leads in diversity and inclusion initiatives, and this funding will provide opportunities to build upon these efforts.
Mental Health
$4.00 per student per quarter
Mental Health is indisputably a rising need on our campus. In Fall Quarter of this year, the counseling center saw 75% of the total number of students it saw over the course of 2021. It is important to continually address the growing mental health needs of today’s students. The revenue allocated to the counseling center will increase their ability to provide, programming, training, and staffing to do so.
Greek Life
$2.00 per student per quarter
Every institution in our system has a full-time staff member to oversee Greek Life. With 10 IFC fraternities, 6 NPHC organizations, and 5 Panhellenic Sororities, this large group of students require a great deal of counsel from the university. Those who oversee the areas of Greek Life presently are also full-time coordinators or directors of campus departments. A Greek Life Coordinator would create direct access for these students to a staff member whose sole responsibility is to support, direct, and supervise Greek Life as a
whole.
Spirit Groups
$5.00 per student per quarter
Our spirit groups and the band set the tone for a multitude of the experiences offered to students and are not recognized enough for their efforts. Currently the members of our spirit operate with little to no funding and pay for and are required to do extensive fundraising for uniforms, practice gear, attending camps for training, competing nationally, and travelling to athletic events. They also currently practice in the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center. This potential revenue would provide a new practice facility for the spirit group and the band as well as provide them resources to subsidize their fundraising efforts throughout the year.
Athletics
$135.00 per student per quarter
Louisiana Tech’s athletic programs bring great exposure to our university through television, radio and online media outlets and serves as the “front porch” of our university. Including the athletics department in the student engagement fee can make a huge impact on Louisiana Tech’s ability to compete on a national level, thus bringing even more positive publicity to our University. Studies suggest that winning at a high level in athletics can assist with admissions recruiting efforts resulting in increased high school applications and ultimately enrollment at a university. Every time one of our athletic programs is on television, it is an infomercial for Louisiana Tech, highlighting the general student body working within their majors. This student engagement fee will be divided into scholarships, competitive excellence, and brand exposure and will touch our student body both directly and indirectly. Louisiana Tech not only has the lowest athletics budget in Conference USA, but we are the only University that doesn’t have a student engagement fee. In order for us to elevate our programs and enhance our ability to impact our student body and the gameday experience, the student engagement fee is a priority.
The first area funds would be allocated to offering full Cost of Attendance—the total amount it costs to attend a university. We current only offer half of cost of attendance to 4 of our 16 sports (Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Football, and Volleyball). This would offer us the opportunity to provide full scholarships for all 16 of our sports. It would be a tremendous recruitment tool for our coaches, as well as a huge benefit to our student athletes.
Secondly, funds would be allocated to competitive excellence. This means competing in the classroom and on the field. Currently there is no Nutritionist on our athletics department staff aside from interns. At the Division I level, student-athlete health is a top priority. This possible revenue would be used to ensure our student-athletes have the resources to recover as well as prepare nutritionally for competition. Currently there is 1 full time strength coach for the football team and 1 for men’s basketball. Every other sport is assigned interns. This possible revenue would be used to provide for this need for the other teams. There also is not an adequate amount of athletic academic advisors that are trained in NCAA requirements which this revenue would give the opportunity to accommodate our student athletes.
The last area this possible revenue would be allocated toward is the overall game day experience. Students currently do not pay to attend athletic events, which is not common at universities similar to ours. The athletics department has been listening to students’ and fans’ concerns and suggestions throughout the year. This will allow the department to continue to do so.
How do I vote on this proposal?
The proposal for the Student Engagement fee will be a ballot item on the SGA Spring elections, held April 7-8.
On these days, students can go to sga.latech.edu/vote to vote on the proposal, in addition to their SGA senators and Executive leadership. You will need to provide you CWID and BOSS pin in order to vote.
Who can I ask questions to or talk to about this?
Questions can be sent to SGA at the link below. We will do our best to give a satisfying answer or direct your question to the appropriate party.
SGA and Louisiana Tech leaders will also be available to answer questions at the Higher Education Panel taking place on March 22nd at 7pm in Wyly Auditorium, or at the Campus Wide Town Hall on March 28th at 5pm in University Hall.
This page will be updated with additional information as we receive feedback and questions from the student body.