By Laura Rodell
The Student Government Association on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution to allow the University’s non-varsity sports teams to use the James M. Shuart Stadium and University fields free of charge.
Currently, sports clubs may use the stadium for free for eight nights. Beyond that, a $100 fee is imposed to cover the cost of having someone come to switch the stadium lights on and off. There is no charge to use the stadium before dark because no lights are needed.
University sports clubs are also charged $135 each time they use the baseball field, which has no lights but requires regular maintenance. No fees are associated with use of the soccer stadium.
The issue was brought to SGA’s attention during a routine appropriations meeting with members of Men’s Lacrosse Club, who contended that facility fees were consuming most of its budget.
“Because we’re a club team, our best availability for practice is around eight at night, so basically we use the [stadium] lights every time,” said Chad Tangchittsumran, president of Men’s Lacrosse Club. “It just doesn’t seem right to charge us if the money goes back to the school. Their not gaining or losing because the money goes from one department to another. Why not just leave it in their pockets?”
With two to three practices held per week, Tangchittsumran said stadium fees consume roughly two-thirds of its budget. SGA senators Shellie Smallberg and Natally Shokrianpour responded by introducing legislation to slash facility fees. They reasoned that doing so would reduce sports clubs’ budgets and free up funds for other clubs.
“We said we’d see what we could do because we could save so much money to give to other clubs if sports clubs didn’t have to pay to use their own fields,” said Smallberg. “They came to us and said they investigated it and wanted to see if we could put action to it.”
Before the measure can be implemented, it must meet University administrators’ approval. Among the individuals who will review the measure are Jay Artinian, University director of Athletic Facilities, and Jack Hayes, University Athletic director.
“We try not to charge any of our sports clubs until it becomes an expense on our end,” said Artinian. “Like with the baseball club – we would charge them no rental fee but it’s a field that requires extensive maintenance like retarping bases and having a grounds clean up any garbage left behind.”
He expressed hope for a negotiation, adding, “I don’t think there’s anything that can’t be discussed and find some happy medium.”
The SGA is seeking to have the University eliminate fees some clubs pay to practice on playing fields.