OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Poor alternative

The Athletic Association (AA) had requested a Student Athletic Fee increase of $96 per year, the best option they could come up with to manage their increasing debt. While students may not have been enamored by the idea, the reasoning behind the decision seemed sensible. However, a recent suggestion to raise the fee to $88 per semester from the current $64 and to charge $100 extra for students wishing to attend football or basketball games is absurd. Clearly, the AA plans to convince the Mandatory Student Fee Committee, which is scheduled to vote Monday on the increase, to approve the original request with the threat of a much worse alternative.

However, the student reaction to news of a potential fee increase has been notable and at least a little surprising. It is great to see students coming together to fight for a common issue, even if it is just to keep some spending money in their pockets or to keep their debts a few dollars lower.

Tech often refrains from fee increases for long stretches of time in comparison to other major universities. Therefore, any increases are often sizeable and seem sudden to students. Running an athletic program requires money and student support, but they could make changes more bearable by implementing gradual increases each year.

Still, it is understandable that students are not willing to pay for an athletic program in which they may not have much pride. Tech may not have a winning basketball tradition as historic as Duke's or a football record to match the University of Florida, but the athletic program is still a rallying point for Tech supporters, and students who claim to support their school should be willing to finance it.

Registering sense

The Office of the Registrar is in the process of reevaluating the current class registration system, which is good news for students. While the current system runs fairly smooth, there is always room for improvement.

Limiting priority registration is a good first step; only those who truly require accommodations, such as students with disabilities, should retain priority registration. Additionally, students with degree petitions filed should get priority over students who have more hours but will not be graduating that semester.

Phase I registration could open with students only able to register for major classes, followed by other degree requirements and minor classes. This system could be implemented in parts to allow students and administrators to acclimate.