ULM students approve new athletic fee

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - The University of Louisiana Monroe announced Thursday, April 3 that the proposed athletic fee has been approved.

Officials say this student fee increase will help athletics achieve its vision for the future.

Students at the University of Louisiana Monroe are heading to the polls this week to vote on a proposed athletic fee that could bring significant changes to the university. If approved, the fee is expected to generate approximately $600,000 in its first year.

ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says the university operates with the lowest athletic budget in the Sun Belt Conference, standing at approximately $21 million. He believes the new fee would help bridge the financial gap between ULM and other conference schools.

“If you look at the other end of the spectrum, James Madison University in our league actually charges students $1,200 per semester.”

The proposed fee would be $75, combined with four other existing fees. Only full-time, in-person students would be required to pay the new fee, which, if approved, would take effect in the fall semester.

The funding would support various improvements, including a new video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum and enhanced nutrition programs for student-athletes. Hartwell emphasized that the benefits would extend beyond athletics.

“What does this benefit? Yes, it benefits our men’s and women’s basketball programs and our volleyball program, all of which compete in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. But it also will enhance general student body functions like graduations, concerts, or various events in there,” Hartwell explained.

Students have mixed opinions on the proposed fee. Some see it as a necessary investment in ULM’s athletic programs, while others question whether they should be required to pay additional fees.

“I hear both sides of it,” ULM student Gabrielle Thomas said. “Some people think that it will benefit athletics more with the facilities that we have and more with the other athletics besides football because you got to think about we have basketball, we have tennis courts outside that need to be updated.”

The voting period runs from Wednesday through Thursday, closing at 5 p.m. on Thursday. University officials say the results will be released within 24 hours after voting ends.

To read the full resolution, click here.

Stay tuned for updates as the outcome of the vote is announced.