University of Virginia Library

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR APPROVAL OF INCREASES IN THE ATHLETICS STUDENT FEE

WHEREAS, athletics and physical education are an important part of a well-rounded curriculum at any college or university; and

WHEREAS, athletics is particularly important to the University of Virginia community as our founder, Thomas Jefferson, was an early proponent of combining physical education with an academic education; and

WHEREAS, the tradition of student athletes in Olympic sports at the University of Virginia is seriously threatened by a lack of funding to meet increased requirements imposed upon them by the NCAA, ACC and other sports authorities; and

WHEREAS, in October 2001, the Board received and concurred with the Department of Athletics five-year financial plan to address the threat to the University's Olympic sports and to save them from elimination; and

WHEREAS, the five-year plan calls for revenues to increase by $13.1 million by fiscal year 2006; and

WHEREAS, increases in student fees are required to generate $3.7 million of the additional projected revenues which will be used merely to maintain the status quo and to avoid eliminating Olympic sports; and

WHEREAS, the Board is fully committed to continued support of athletics and student athletes at the University of Virginia, particularly the Olympic sports;

RESOLVED that the University's administration use all available means to obtain the necessary state authorization to increase the student fee for athletics by $50 in fiscal year 2003 and in the future by such additional amounts as may be needed to achieve the objectives of the five-year plan; and

RESOLVED FURTHER that the University's Board of Visitors STRONGLY urges the Commonwealth and its Executive Branch to concur with the University of Virginia's view that the increase in this student fee is lawful.