Supporters of the proposed self-assessed fee for athletics won 207-145 in the first speech forum of the fall semester in the Cotillion Ballroom Monday night. Jennifer Campbell, marketing senior from Baton Rouge, spoke in favor of the fee, listing three critical areas of need within the athletics department: equity, facilities and safety.
She said equity is needed between male and female athletes and among Nicholls and other teams in the Southland Conference.
“Did you know 60 percent of the population here at Nicholls is female, but only 43 percent of the student athletes are female?” she asked. “There is a gender equity plan that spans for five years. Only two of those years Nicholls met the acceptable rate set by the NCAA which states scholarship dollars for male participants must be proportionate to scholarship dollars for female participants.”
Campbell gave examples of problems with the current facilities. She began with the soccer field, citing there are no bathrooms or locker rooms.
“Our girls have to change in front of fans before the games. That is very degrading,” she said.
Philip Loudermilk, emergency medical services paramedic sophomore from Morgan City, who spoke in opposition of the fee, argued if this fee passes, other groups may try to do the same, and students would be overwhelmed with high tuition.
“My question to you is: When will it all end? If this were a one time thing, I doubt there would be so many people sitting on the con side, but this fee will go on indefinitely,” Loudermilk said.
He said fees are already high, and this semester he paid $715 in fees, not including books, because his financial aid was lowered.
“We support you (athletes) in spirit, but leave our pocketbooks alone,” Loudermilk said.
In contrast, Campbell said some football players play with pads handed down from high schools. She also spoke of the bus donated to Nicholls in 1975, which athletes travel on. Campbell said athletes fear the bus will break down when they go on long trips.
“The student athlete referendum will help Nicholls proudly become a comprehensive university in all facets,” Campbell said.
Loudermilk recommended selling billboard space on the walls of the baseball field and football stadium. He also said the football team could play more game guarantees such as the one played against Nebraska for about $300,000.
After the speakers finished, the floor was opened to audience members. People on the con side said they would rather pay to get into the games than be assessed every semester. However, people on the pro side, especially student athletes, said it would not help unless attendance at the games increased.
Others on the pro side said the fee is not much compared to other items students pay for.
Heather Gamble, athletic training junior from LaPlace, explains how athletics needs extra money to improve its facilities, safety and other issues. (Ashley Falterman)
