Board of Regents OKs Athletics Fee increase to create football team
Clarification: According to the UCentral paying for college tuition and fees webpage, following the University of Texas System Board of Regents approval, students entering Fall 2022-Summer 2023 and subsequent academic years are subject to the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee of $26.25 per semester credit hour. However, because the Board of Regents did not approve the fee until November, the university will begin assessing the fee in Spring 2023. This information can be viewed here: Fall to Summer Rates.
Earlier today, during its meeting in Austin, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted to authorize an increase in the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee to create a football program and expand spirit programs at UTRGV.
Students enrolling at UTRGV in Fall 2023 will pay the fee increase of $11.25 for a total of $26.25 per credit hour, capped at 12 hours. The maximum charge per semester will be $315. The fee is currently $15 per credit hour.
As previously reported by The Rider, the increase will affect only new incoming students and students outside of UTRGV’s Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program. Current students who remain within the program will not have to pay the increase.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey addressed the Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee on Wednesday regarding the increase, which the committee later recommended to the board.
“So far we’ve raised $2.5 million in private money and I think that’ll go to $3 million very quickly, so the community has been very supportive and we appreciate your consideration,” Bailey said.
Last November, the student body passed the Athletics Fee Referendum by a vote of 3,497 to 2,287, the largest turnout for a UTRGV election. The increase will fund the addition of a football program, women’s swimming and diving teams, two marching bands and two spirit programs.
Jonah Goldberg, senior associate athletic director for Communications & Championships, told The Rider a news conference “to update on everything that happened” will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Visitors Center on the Edinburg campus.
The Rider will provide updates as it receives them.
