Saint Cloud State Swimming Saved By Student Vote

ST. CLOUD, Minnesota, November 19. THE Saint Cloud State University swimming and diving team has been saved by a vote by the student body. One of the contingency plans, if the students had not elected to fund the athletic department shortfall, would have had been to cut swimming as part of a three-sport cut. Another contingency had been to cut football altogether.

Here is the press release announcing the athletic fee hike approved by the student body at St. Cloud State:

A record number of St. Cloud State University students voted in Student Government Fall 2010 Elections leading to the passage of a $1.74 increase to athletic fees.

Students approved two referendum questions that will increase student Athletic Fee for Fiscal Years 2012,2013,2014.

The first referendum question for a $0.74 per credit increase passed by a 68 percent to 31 percent margin. The second referendum question for an additional $1 per credit increase passed by a 58 percent to 41 percent margin. The first vote needed to pass in order for the second vote to pass as well. The increase is on up to 12 credits per semester.

Students who voted yes to both questions approved an additional $601,344 to the student athletic fee for a total of $1,361,644.

The vote was a huge boost for the University's athletic department, which faces shortfalls of $550,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2013. Those shortfalls come as the University is cutting about $14 million from its fiscal year 2012 budget.

A total of 4,053 students, almost 20 percent of the student body, voted. A minimum of 8 percent of the student body needed to vote in this election to validate the referendum results.

"The student turnout was fantastic; it speaks to the increased student engagement on campus this year," said Amanda Bradonner, Student Association president. "Our student body understands the issues and has a vested interest in the future of this University. Student Government hoped for a high student turnout since any increase would result in the increase of all students' fees."

The vote was a huge boost for the University's athletic department, which faces shortfalls of $550,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2013. Those shortfalls come as the University is cutting about $14 million from its fiscal year 2012 budget.

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