Students approve transit fee referendum

[SMD7636]

We should strike while the iron is hot by voting on an athletic fee now, while winning is at an all time high. We need athletic fees comparable to other universities within our conference.

[CajunT]

----I, like T-Bine, wonder about the triple Student Union Fees----but I think at some point a train/Tram type of transportation will run from the stadium to the academic Campus!!! I think part of the master plan even showed a docking station across from the O T Grocery!!!

Boomer, you will never see any train or tram running through campus in your lifetime brother. Trams cost millions, its not happening anytime in the next decade.

[RaginCajun77]

My long term concern is at some point we have to pursue an athletic fee, which of the current fees will continue long term?

Many of the fees listed will continue indefinitely, however the one that concerns me most is the Student Union fees. These have been on the books for many years and I too am curious when they expire.

A student athletic fee is necessary, however I do wonder when a move will be made to put that to a vote. I feel as though the longer we wait to put this to a vote, the farther UL will fall behind in the athletics arms race.

As far as a tram or trolley, while it would be nice, I think for this to happen it would need to be in partnership with the City of Lafayette as part of a larger infrastructure improvement project.

[HoustonCajun]

Many of the fees listed will continue indefinitely, however the one that concerns me most is the Student Union fees. These have been on the books for many years and I too am curious when they expire.

A student athletic fee is necessary, however I do wonder when a move will be made to put that to a vote. I feel as though the longer we wait to put this to a vote, the farther UL will fall behind in the athletics arms race.

As far as a tram or trolley, while it would be nice, I think for this to happen it would need to be in partnership with the City of Lafayette as part of a larger infrastructure improvement project.

Could the student union fee end when construction is complete and the students vote to continue it under athletics, thereby not having to add a new student fee?

[ljr3721]

Could the student union fee end when construction is complete and the students vote to continue it under athletics, thereby not having to add a new student fee?

I think I remember reading somewhere that about half of the Student Union construction is being covered by cash already collected through this fee, and the other half will be financed with bonds which will be repaid by fees collected from the same fee in the coming years. So I wouldn't expect it to go away anytime soon.

[CajunAmos]

Looked at fees for the university of Houston as a comparison. They estimate tuition and fees at $4659 per semester for a 12hour course load and that's with much more state funding than Louisiana can possible provide. If I'm adding right, UL is a little over $3000. We're still a deal the way I see it, and we probably need to increase tuition. I'd like to see if there is documentation on what the southern average is for tuition and fees as I think that's where we need to be at minimum.

[LaCajunsFan]

Many of the fees listed will continue indefinitely, however the one that concerns me most is the Student Union fees. These have been on the books for many years and I too am curious when they expire.

A student athletic fee is necessary, however I do wonder when a move will be made to put that to a vote. I feel as though the longer we wait to put this to a vote, the farther UL will fall behind in the athletics arms race.

As far as a tram or trolley, while it would be nice, I think for this to happen it would need to be in partnership with the City of Lafayette as part of a larger infrastructure improvement project.

I think getting the city involved in the tram is very 'doable,' especially since they are in the process of developing their own master plan right now. Among other things, having a tram would solve a lot of the traffic/congestion issues in the UL/downtown area. Given the nature of the layout of the campuses, I just think it would be fantastic to get a tram built.....and I really hope it happens.

[CajunStros]

I think getting the city involved in the tram is very 'doable,' especially since they are in the process of developing their own master plan right now. Among other things, having a tram would solve a lot of the traffic/congestion issues in the UL/downtown area. Given the nature of the layout of the campuses, I just think it would be fantastic to get a tram built.....and I really hope it happens.

I'm assuming you are talking about an overhead tram of some sort because the city infrastructure will not support street level trams, trollies, etc. A project like this would cost hundreds of millions. Federal government funds would have to come into play and considering places like Houston, don't have an overheard rail system, we won't be getting those funds here in Lafayette anytime soon.

I agree though, this would solve lots of traffic issues. Now if we could just get that pesky I49 thing done...

[LaCajunsFan]

I'm assuming you are talking about an overhead tram of some sort because the city infrastructure will not support street level trams, trollies, etc. A project like this would cost hundreds of millions. Federal government funds would have to come into play and considering places like Houston, don't have an overheard rail system, we won't be getting those funds here in Lafayette anytime soon.

I agree though, this would solve lots of traffic issues. Now if we could just get that pesky I49 thing done...

Wow, didn't think it would be that expensive...because yes, I was referring to an overhead system....that is a version in the master plan. Bummer.

And a big yes........we definitely need to get I49 done first.

[cb089]

"We're looking at transit buses, not school buses or charter buses and not a hodgepodge of buses like we currently have," Hammett said. "These will be handicapped-accessible, low-floor, legal-to-stand-on, new buses, similar to what you see in city transit."

Good news there. That will put our transit service on a level with bigger universities which offer legitimate transit options beyond a parking shuttle.







By comparison, heres an idea of what our current fleet looks like: