Estimated students fees have been discussed for the recreation and wellness center; however the numbers are not final.

“Nothing is locked in place,” said Dr. Terri Agee, vice president for business affairs.

During the Oct. 20 Board of Governors meeting, the Board discussed the fees, which at this point are $110 to $115 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students each semester.

“We have an anticipated range of what the fees could be,” Agee said. “We haven’t set any kind of final fee at this point.”

Agee said while looking at the cost of constructing a 50,000-square-foot facility with amenities, the estimated cost comes to $13.5 million.

“You look at outside donations,” she said, “and of course we are continuing to raise all we can. The more we raise, the less we have to fund.”

Agee said the University is hoping additional funding will come in.

“The numbers could change,” she said.

Tim Fisher, junior history major, said the recreation center fees are “pricey.”

“My issue is that it’s going to be another facility that is going to be used by a select group of students and the bulk is going to end up paying for it,” he said. “It’s not cheap. If they’re going to hold us to paying for it even if we are not going to use it, then they need to make a concession and they need to make one that is equitable for students.”

Fisher said the fees are more expensive than a membership at any of the local gyms.

“It’s really pretty obnoxious for students,” he said.

University President Julio León said the students wanted the recreation center.

“We agreed with it,” he said. “It costs money and it has to be paid primarily by the students.”

León said because the University wanted reasonable fees, they had to have outside funding.

“We are still working to see if we can bring it closer to $100, but I believe it is going to be difficult to do that,” he said.

León said the fees are not at level they wanted, but he thinks it is reasonable.

“We really wanted it to be less than that,” he said.

Agee said the Board was interested in the University moving the recreation center forward.

“We are moving toward that direction,” she said.

Agee said the Board was interested in having the University issue tax exempt auxiliary system revenue bonds to help with the construction. She said $12 million out of the $13.5 million will be the bonds.

“Balance of that will be supported by outside donations,” she said. “The Board authorized us to put a request for proposal out on the market for investment banking purposes that would help us underwrite the bond.”