$200: the final straw for this Gopher alum & lifelong fan

[Gopherchase]

In order to stay competitve in college athletics, the U has a plan; students paying students

Despite Twin Cities campus students being charged $200 a year, the U still faces a $9 million athletic budget deficit.

www.startribune.com

This is it. Students have to pay student-athletes. We have a senior at the U; she has to pay $200 to her classmates this year? Fuck that.

I'm not giving another dime to the U.

$200 is a dinner for four at a moderately priced restaurant. Lighten up, Francis.

 

[FinnGopher]

$200 is a dinner for four at a moderately priced restaurant. Lighten up, Francis.

I go to dinner for 5 for under $100.
The problem with the whole $200 charge is not whether a person can pay it. The problem is that the vast majority of students would like to spend their money on themselves and their well-being, not on an athlete who may not even care about his or her education. In addition, the student may never care about any sporting event. They do care, however, about the course they are taking and the books they need to purchase for that course.
Contrary to what many at the Gopherhole may think, sports is a minor and insignificant part of most students life at UMN. This mandatory fee is an equivalent example by the University of forcing non-athletes to give money to a kegger when a student doesn't even drink and only athletes are invited. Sure the person putting on the kegger likes it, but the non-drinker has been forced to support something they don't support. The lack of fairness on this issue is amazing. I support any student who protests this fee.

 

[MilosRevenge]

It's one of the most liberal colleges on the planet.

Take from some to give it away to others. Perfect! It's a liberals dream!

Liberty University - the one founded by Jerry Falwell - charges students $350 per term.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

$200 is a dinner for four at a moderately priced restaurant. Lighten up, Francis.

$200 is not a lot of money for me now. When I was in college, $200 was more than I had in my bank account at the end of freshman and junior year.

 

[SeaBee_Gopher]

Maybe they should call this a marketing fee? It enhances the national visibility of the university so it's a POTENTIAL benefit to all students. I've pursued and gotten MULTIPLE jobs out of this state including on Wall Street and feel like going to the U of M made a difference. People doing the hiring aren't all super qualified, but they see you went to a Big Ten school and that probably matters to some of them vs. say Mankato State. It helped me bond with my co-workers from other states that also went to large schools just like the Vikings and Twins did when they were Giants or Yankees fans. It helps people think less about Minnesota as just flyover country.

I have two kids. One is going to the U in a program where I think that matters, another is going to a community college at a fraction of the cost and I think that's perfect for him. I'm confident both will do fine in life. Having a nationally recognized and relevant school in this state matters. That costs more. I'd rather they stick that $200 fee on the students than on the average Minnesota tax payer...although that happens too. As one poster said, students and future students can vote with their feet. If they don't see how all the extra expense at the U will help them accomplish their goals, they can go to someplace like Mankato State and get the same degree (or even better degree in some fields) at a fraction of the cost.

Most of us are happy we are playing in the big leagues in a P2 conference. Teams like Washington State and Oregon State have been left out. I'm sure that has a negative impact on those universities and their ability, not only to compete for the best minds in their state, but nationally. How large that impact is, I do not know.

Again, I view this as a marketing expense. It is hard to quantify whether it is a worthwhile one so I have no problem with people that are upset about it.