Students propose change for Hearnes Center fee
The unconfirmed vote is not an official decision.
Published Feb. 23, 2007
Approximately $1 million in funds generated by a student fee remain in the hands of the Hearnes Center Committee. For now.
Missouri Students Association Vice President Andrew Cafourek and Department of Student Activities Director Nick Trusty answered questions on Thursday during a Hearnes Center Committee meeting about their proposal to reallocate the funds to the Student Fee Capital Improvement Committee. MSA has researched the proposal for three years. If reallocated, the money would then be available to student organizations whose proposals for funds are approved by SFCIC.
"The continuation of this fee did not benefit the students at the time and does not benefit as many students as SFCIC does," Trusty said.
Because the Hearnes Center was partially funded by student fees, it would be eligible to apply to receive such funds. Other athletic facilities that were not funded with any student fees would not be eligible.
The fee was originally put in place to pay off loans used to fund the building. In 1995, after the loans had been covered, the fee was reassigned for the maintenance of the facility. The fee has since stopped being collected but approximately $1 million remains.
Fifteen people present at the Hearnes Center Committee meeting chose to vote on the issue. Three of the votes came from ex officio members, meaning that if committee precedent holds, those votes will not be counted toward the total.
The three ex officio members voted against the proposal, therefore, if their votes are counted, the proposal would fail 9-6. If the votes are not counted, the result would be a 6-6 tie.
Committee member Lauren Bacon was not present at the meeting, and because Chairman Kevin Moore chose to vote, there was a tie.
"I think what we've seen here is the fact that the committee has wrestled with it for a number of years is because its one that's very difficult," Moore said. "Do you look at the best intentions of the students? Do you look at the best intentions of the center? How do you mix the two?"
Moore chose to vote against the proposal to reallocate the funds.
There was a marked difference in the voting patterns between the different demographics of the committee. Five of the six faculty and staff representatives voted against the proposal. Five of the six student votes were in favor of the proposal.
The committee's vote would not be a final decision but instead a recommendation to Athletic Director Mike Alden and Chancellor Brady Deaton.
Moore said he will meet with the chancellor's office and verify the issue of the ex officio votes. Should those votes not be counted, he said he feels the committee needs to reconvene to vote again with all members present.
Cafourek said the meeting encouraged him even though the proposal did not pass.
"I think that people now understand a lot better where we're coming from than they did before," he said. "Now I just think it's an effort to make everybody see that this would benefit students more in the long run than just having an account that benefits a few select students."
Aside from playing host to MU volleyball, indoor track, gymnastics and wrestling, the Hearnes Center plays host to a variety of other events not directly affiliated with the university. These include an upcoming ultimate fighting competition and a spring craft show.
— Senior Staff Writer Jenna Youngs contributed to this report