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Students vote down football resolution
Staff Reports
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
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"This was an opportunity for our students to be heard," said ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. "This vote did not parallel the positive numbers seen in our previous survey of students last December. While that is surprising, our students have let us know where they stand on the return of a football program at ETSU."
The April 10-11 referendum called for a $50 increase during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters. Fees would increase by another $50 per semester during the 2009-2010 school year.
Along with the current $75 athletic fee, students would be paying a total of $350 a year in athletic fees beginning in 2009-2010. Plans were for the new football team to play its first game in 2010.
With 3,229 ballots cast, 1,907 students were opposed to the fee, and 1,322 were in favor.
Over 59 percent of the students who participated voted against the fee, with 27 percent of the student body participating in the vote. The ETSU Student Government Association certified the vote at approximately 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Student approval was the first of several steps needed for the return of football.
Even with a vote in favor of the fee, ETSU would have still needed approval to proceed with the increase from the Tennessee Board of Regents during its June meeting, and funding for a new outdoor stadium would have needed to be in hand by the summer of 2008 to begin construction.
An estimated $15 million would need to be raised through private giving and sponsorships to begin the stadium project.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Carol Samila
posted 4/12/07 @ 5:34 AM CST
When you think about why students voted down football,it should come as no surprise. These are students who have been at ETSU with no football, and several classes will graduate and still not have football. (Continued…)
Richard
posted 4/12/07 @ 7:15 AM CST
Well, who can blame the students? Did anyone calculate what the cost would be for them to attend a game? Figuring six home games, the extra $275 per year per student would come out to nearly $46 per game in 2009-10. (Continued…)
Claudia McCord
posted 4/12/07 @ 7:36 AM CST
This was not a fair poll. No student who is paying his
own way would vote for a $100 increase in their fees.
Why weren't other sports like volleyball, basketball, baseball and tennis included in the poll. (Continued…)
Dan LaForest
posted 4/12/07 @ 7:42 AM CST
As an alumnis and former football player at ETSU, I am surprised with the outcome of the vote. In fact, I am pretty amazed with the lack of pride in our school. (Continued…)
Dave Beck
posted 4/12/07 @ 3:43 PM CST
The student's vote against partial funding of a new football program is quite understandable. Costs associated with attending a school of higher education continues to rise. (Continued…)
Daniel Ashley
posted 4/13/07 @ 1:30 PM CST
Hello my name is daniel ashley i live in Elmira,NY and go to Southside High School, I will be attending etsu this fall. I love football I've been playing the game since i was about five, and when i got accepted to etsu i thought maybe i can still play but as i find out they dont have a team. (Continued…)
Tony Dwiggins
posted 4/14/07 @ 11:05 AM CST
Please reference your archives and refresh us with the numbers on the student vote approving the current $75 per semester athletic fee. Also, give us the student vote tally on the new mens soccer team, including the $8 million soccer stadium currently under construction?
And, how about a report on the $6. (Continued…)
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