UH Manoa Graduate Students Oppose Athletics Fee

By Kimberly Yuen

POSTED: 06:49 a.m. HST, Jul 14, 2010

UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw's proposal to implement an athletics fee for students is receiving strong opposition from not only ASUH, the undergraduate student government, but also from its Graduate Students Organization.

The UH Board of Regents is expected to decide whether to implement the fee at a meeting tomorrow.

The GSO, which represents 6,000 graduate students at UH Manoa has voted to oppose the fee.

"Our concerns are that, as grad students, we lost a number of graduate positions and lectureships," said GSO President Sharain Naylor.  "So it's really difficult for us to support a fee increase when we have insufficient funds."

Naylor suggested that instead of "placing the burden solely on students," Chancellor Hinshaw should ask for funds from the people who want it, such as the broader Hawaii community.

"We support athletics," she said "But during the weekend, you would probably find us in the lab or working on our dissertation, than at a football game."

If passed, the $50 semester fee would go into effect next Spring and generate an estimated annual $2 million for the UH Manoa Athletics Department. Students would get free admission to all UH athletic events held at Aloha Stadium, the Stan Sheriff Center, and the Les Murakami Stadium. A section in each arena will be assigned specifically for students.

"It is my hope that this will provide opportunities for more students to attend, enjoy and remember these social gatherings as a positive part of their college experience and stay connected with UH Manoa," said Hinshaw in a statement to the students.

Five to eight percent of the fee collected would be allocated to support the student experience related to athletics such as transportation to games, tailgate parties, prize give-aways, concerts, and increased access to facilities for recreation. 

"The fees will be spent on such costs as scholarships, travel and subsistence, materials and supplies and other expenses directly beneficial to student-athletes, but not on compensation and benefits for staff," said Hinshaw.

The use of the funds for student activities would be determined by a Student Athletic Fee Committee, made up of ASUH and GSO members, Athletic Advisory Board, Residence Hall Association, the Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Student Life and Development, and the Athletics Department.