siuDE.com

Administrators have pulled a proposed increase in the campus recreation fee off the table, leaving the university scheduled to lose three outdoor fields, six tennis courts and possibly a cricket pitch because of Saluki Way.

Current plans for the first phase of Saluki Way, which calls for the construction of a new football stadium, would cause the university to lose six of 12 tennis courts, three of six playing fields and the cricket pitch. The fee, which is paid by all students, was proposed to increase from $6 to $31.60 per semester next year.

Willie Ehling, director of Recreational Sports and Services, has said the increase would pay to allow the university to maintain its current number of facilities and add new elements, such as adapted fitness trails, restrooms and a band shelter.

Larry Dietz, vice chancellor for undergraduate affairs, said administrators would propose only a 60-cent increase instead of the originally proposed $25.60.

"We do our darnedest to listen to students on these issues," Dietz said. "We had good and long discussions with students on this. We just decided now was not the time to go forward."

Graduate and Professional Student Council voted to approve the increase at its meeting Jan. 22, but Undergraduate Student Government voted down the increase the following night.

Fields scheduled to be lost to the plan do not include lights and are used to play rugby, soccer and lacrosse.

Dietz said administrators might be able to save the cricket pitch by working with Saluki Way designers, but discussion was still underway.

One reason for the dropped proposal was a lack of cost estimates for the recreation plan, Dietz said. 360 Architecture, architects responsible for Saluki Way's first phase, was unable to produce estimates in time to finalize fee proposals.

"They put in a lot of time over the December holiday, but their main purpose is to get a football stadium built," Dietz said.

Ehling said he and his staff were disappointed by the lost opportunity, but would be creative in finding solutions to the changes.

He added that those solutions could include working with the Athletic Department to share fields.

"The campus should be proud of the students, in particular USG, who consistently through this process have stated that their concerns and priorities were number one: protecting the cost of getting an education," Ehling said in an e-mail Thursday.

USG President Demetrous White said he was happy students would not have to pay the extra money.

"The chancellor's office and Dr. Dietz have done well as far as listening to what students think and making decisions accordingly," White said. "I think they're beginning to realize that they need to take students' opinions with more than just a grain of salt."

White said he was concerned about losing recreation facilities but did not want students to be forced to pay for replacements.

He said he would continue to work on this issue and hoped students would come to him with concerns and ideas.

Dietz said the students may be upset about the lost facilities, but they could see a brighter picture in the long-term plan.

"Ultimately, were we to have this conversation several years down the road ... We're going to have a fantastic football stadium. We're going to have a terrific arena, and we're going to have a terrific outdoor rec program," Dietz said. "How we get there is sometimes a little - it's always challenging, but the end product is going to be good for everybody."

Allison Petty can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or allison.petty@siude.com.

Article Tools