Editor:
In light of recent events, the San Antonio College Student Government Association would like to take the time to clarify some misleading or misinformed statements that were recently released concerning the increase from $1 to $2 per credit hour for the student activity fee.
There appears to be a lot of misleading information on what is actually proposed as the budget for this money.
First, we would like to state that the budget was put together by a group of students and faculty, where students outweigh the faculty. Student Government and the office of student life were not the ones who composed the budget.
The Student Activity Fee Committee was tasked with polling students and getting insights into what they would like to see on campus. An alarming amount of students asked for a newspaper.
Using this information, they composed the budget.
Now, it is true they allocated $70,000 for a new paper on campus. This amount includes the price to run the e-newspaper, an online newspaper and not an actual printed edition, as well as paid reporters, photographers, travel and an adviser.
Unlike The Ranger, the academic newspaper on campus, this newspaper would be funded and run by students and would focus on city, state and national news and not focus on SAC.
It would be a nonacademic paper. This paper was also approximately 8 percent of the proposed budget, not the whole budget, as it was made to seem.
Approximately 25 percent of the budget was going toward getting back a total of eight fully funded sports teams.
This amount of money would hire two new coaches, making a total of eight coaches, new equipment, advertising and travel expenses for these teams.
Also, in the budget, money was set aside to have two more paid staff for the office of student life.
The budget is only asking for $1 more per credit hour. So, if you were taking a full load of 12 hours a semester, it would be $24 a year.
This is less than it would cost for you to go to the movies and get popcorn and soda for one person.
Austin Community College is already currently at $2 per credit hour.
If you were to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio and get the same amenities we are proposing with this budget, they are asking approximately $983.50 per semester if taking 12 hours.
The University of the Incarnate Word is asking $350 a year no matter how many hours you are taking.
Lastly, we would like to state that this budget with the increase has neither been approved nor denied; however, we are eagerly awaiting the verdict to start exciting work at SAC to become one of the top schools in the city when it comes to the amenities we offer our students.
Justin Wideman
SGA Secretary and Nursing Sophomore
But here are some options: 1) use the money for more parking spaces! Parking around here is just ridiculous!!!
2) fix the AC/heating! During summer the AC feels like 65°, and during the winter the heating is like 95°!
3) better internet!!! I know there is to many of us using it at the same time, reason why we should have a better internet provider or whatever it is that we use.
4) more activities for the Tuesday-Thursday and summer students!! we pay the same $1 for activity fee and I don't see any spa days, antojitos festival, special presentations or any of that.
5) hot water for the showers in the ladies looker room! It is not nice to shower with freezing water, specially during winter.