SDSU Committee Proposes 41% Hike in Student Athletic Fees

A committee at San Diego State University (SDSU) has put forth a proposal recommending a 41% increase in mandatory student athletic fees. This fee hike comes as these fees are already among the highest nationwide. The committee’s recommendation was made during a brief, closed meeting held via Zoom last Friday, which lasted only 39 minutes and was not open to students or the public.

Details of the Proposed Fee Increase

The proposal, finalized by the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC), suggests an increase that would raise student fees from the current $580 annually to $820. This increase represents a significant rise of $240 per year, or $60 per semester for the initial two years, followed by increments of $90 and $120 in the subsequent years.

Voting and Committee Process

• The proposal was approved by a 15-2 vote.
• The individual votes of committee members were not disclosed.
• The president of the university, Adela de la Torre, is expected to approve this recommendation.

Notably, the committee opted for an “alternative consultation” process. This approach allowed them to gather student feedback without resorting to a formal referendum. The last student vote on athletic fees occurred in 2004 and was unsuccessful, yet the university still implemented the fees afterward.

Allocation of Increased Funds

The newly collected funds will support various athletic programs, including club sports and adaptive sports. Despite the increase, the athletic department may receive significantly less than anticipated due to the committee’s adjusted recommendation. The original proposal requested a 45% increase, which would have allocated a greater portion to the athletic department.

Financial Context

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, student fees are projected to account for $16.3 million. This figure makes student contributions the largest revenue source for SDSU athletics. According to the College Athletics Database, SDSU will rank 21st nationally in terms of student fee contributions in the coming year. The school also faces a projected $29.1 million deficit within its athletic department.

Implications of the Fee Increase

The proposed increase raises concerns about the financial sustainability of SDSU’s athletic programs. Without steady funding from student fees, it may struggle to maintain competitive sports teams. Stagnant state allocations exacerbate these challenges, emphasizing the need for increased financial support.

The current student fee contribution positions SDSU at the forefront within the Mountain West Conference, surpassing other institutions like San Jose State, which contributes $9.4 million.

If approved, the new fee structure could elevate SDSU’s student fee revenue to approximately $25 million annually, thereby highlighting the critical role of student fees in funding university athletics.