Students approve transit fee referendum

[CajunNation]

http://www.finaid.org/loans/studentloandebtclock.phtml

[RaginCajun77]

UL and other universities in the state are in a terrible situation. We can't raise tuition as needed and we continue to see state funding cut. Costs continue to rise and we are left trying to find ways to fund our university. Student fees have become the answer to funding improvements. I think administrators needs to realize that this is a short term fix and it is imperative that they begin placing pressure on the Louisiana Legislature to fix this mess.

[CajunT]

UL and other universities in the state are in a terrible situation. We can't raise tuition as needed and we continue to see state funding cut. Costs continue to rise and we are left trying to find ways to fund our university. Student fees have become the answer to funding improvements. I think administrators needs to realize that this is a short term fix and it is imperative that they begin placing pressure on the Louisiana Legislature to fix this mess.

Some of these fees are temporary. In either case will all pay for it one way or another in higher taxes and fees. In this case, the student body voted for it so I have no problem with it. As a parent scholarships don't cover all cost including fees, nor does Tops. With one at UL, I'm already paying these fees with another enrolling this summer. My long term concern is at some point we have to pursue an athletic fee, which of the current fees will continue long term?

[Boomer]

Some of these fees are temporary. In either case will all pay for it one way or another in higher taxes and fees. In this case, the student body voted for it so I have no problem with it. As a parent scholarships don't cover all cost including fees, nor does Tops. With one at UL, I'm already paying these fees with another enrolling this summer. My long term concern is at some point we have to pursue an athletic fee, which of the current fees will continue long term?

----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!!!

[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.