ROAR fund to be voted on by students April 29 and 30.

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Samantha Zoltanski/The Chart

ROAR fund info graphic

The date to vote for the ROAR fund has been changed to April 29 and April 30 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Lion’s Den.

A proposed athletic fee planning to charge students $4 per credit hour will go before Missouri Southern students for a vote.

Student Senate spent an hour and a half of their regular Wednesday meeting debating whether to allow the controversial ROAR fee to make it to the student body for a vote. Sophomore psychology major Jake Messer kick-started the debate when he gave a speech on why he felt the fee should be struck down.

“Traditionally, students do not like to spend extra money, or spend money at all, for that matter. As a student, I can relate to that,” he said.

Messer said he felt the Senate was rushing through things to get this on the ballot this semester rather than making sure the athletics division did its due diligence in terms of research.

This sentiment was shared by fellow senator Ryan Fullerton, freshman, health promotion and wellness, who was skeptical the money would be used for the intended purposes.

Senator Cory Garr, sophomore, political science, sat on the opposite side of the spectrum, however.

“When we have something this big, it should be the decision of the student body,” he said. “I don’t know why we would doubt the ability of the student to make the right decision.”

Junior marketing major Cara Gooch was in attendance at the Student Senate meeting and agreed with Garr.

“I can’t give my opinion until you [Senate} let us vote,” said Gooch during the Student Senate meeting on Wednesday.

Eventually, the idea of putting the choice into the hands of the students won out.

The following is a breakdown of the proposed fee:

How much?

The ROAR fund will impose a $4 per credit hour fee on all students. The fee will be capped at $60 and distance-learning credits are exempt from the charge.

Where will the money go?

The majority of the fee will go toward the enhancement of athletic and recreation facilities on campus.

A 10 percent chunk will be withheld from the fees and go to the student activities office, which puts on events for students.

Examples of what this percentage might go toward are giveaways, post game shows and concerts.

“I think the idea of showing movies and having concerts is a good idea,” said Cecilie Washburn, junior international business major. “Or even famous celebrities or comedians.”

Currently, students receive one free ticket to each home game, but if the fund is voted into effect, students will be able to bring one guest to each home game for no charge. Along with the extra ticket, students will receive a $2 coupon to the concession stand for each event.

What enhancements are being planned?

Leading the way on the list of desired enhancements is a new video board for Fred G. Hughes Football Stadium. The video board comes with an estimated price tag of $1.2 million.

Students outside of athletics are hoping that other clubs will be able to utilize the board as well.

“We could use it [the board] for Zeta bid day and other activities,” said Jessica Dunlop, junior health science major.

Among the other planned enhancements are new uniforms for the band ($40,000), an LED rotating table ($60,000), new turf and bathrooms for the soccer and intramural facility ($1 million), new scoreboard and deck area for the softball field ($60,000) and improvements in the lighting and sound systems in Leggett & Platt ($400,000).

Disclaimer:

These figures are estimates at press time. Check back in next week’s issue for the exact figures, and follow the R.O.A.R. debate at www.thechartonline.com.