Athletics Fees

ADLER · July 26, 2008

University of South Alabama ...... $253.00 per student per semester South Alabama Tuition and Fee schedule

South Alabama increased the athletic fee effective this year with intents to participate in Sun Belt football in 2012.

Florida International University......$227.65 per student per semester Florida International Fee Schedule

The fee is based on $14.51 per credit hour (at 15 hours) plus a per semester $10 Intercollegiate Athletics Fee. There is a currently a proposal being reviewed by the FIU Board of Regents that would raise the fee $1.46 per credit hour which would raise the athletic fee to $15.97 per credit hour ($249.55 per student per semester)

Florida Atlantic University.....$206.25 per student per semester FAU Fee Increase

In 2005 Florida Atlantic Trustees saw the need to raise the athletics fee from $11.75 to $13.75 per credit after a student referendum failed that would have made FAU's athletics fee higher than several other Florida university's. After 3 years in the Sun Belt and the subsequent success of the athletic programs, there is a likelihood that an additional increase will soon be passed.

Louisiana Lafayette.....$208.00 per student per semester

Louisiana Monroe.....$208.00 per student per semester

The colleges of the University of Louisiana System do not charge a 'set athletics fee'. Instead the state sets an amount that all state colleges (other than LSU) can direct from tuition and service fees towards athletics. The total amount is based on enrollment and division level. In June 2007 the Lousiana State Legislature passed the measure which would direct an estimated $6.5 to $6.7 million per year from fees towards the University of Louisiana Sysytem's largest college, Louisiana-Lafayette. ($6,500,000.00 divided by 14,500 enrollment over 2 semesters). Louisiana Tech uses the quarters system instead of semesters but the student contribution is still the same. In addition, the state of Louisiana covers much of the cost of capital improvements (stadiums, basketball arenas).

University of Texas-San Antonio.....$240.00 per student per semester UTSA Today on Athletics Fee increase

The students at UTSA passed a referendum in September 2007 that will raise the athletics fee from $10 to $20 per credit hour for up to 12 hours (capped at a maximum $240 per semester). The increase has since been approved by the University of Texas regents. The increase is designed to enable UTSA to not only start football, but to field a competitive team.

Texas State University.....$300.00 per student per semester by 2012 Athletics Fee Increase of February 2008

The Texas State fee is being raised to $20 per credit hour over the next 5 years. (the $300 figure shown above is based on 15 hour courseload)

North Texas......less than $60 per student per semester

Students at North Texas contribute only $123.00 each per year to athletics; that's less than $60 per semester when summer sessions are considered. It's a recipe' for failure.

A tiny increase of a dollar or two per semester may assist with getting a stadium built, but it will do nothing to address the real problem. Many of these schools listed above have enrollments in the 30,000 range or higher. Some, like FAU are planning further increases. With their set student contributions, it will nearly be impossible for North Texas to be competitive, and the reputation of the entire university will continue to suffer.

Keith7 · July 26, 2008

and all these schools are football powerhouses

GoMeanGreen1999 · July 26, 2008

and all these schools are football powerhouses

Higher for powerhouse schools.

UNTflyer · July 26, 2008

I will point out that enrollment should be a factor when doing a comparison.

UNT: 35,000 * $6/hour * 15 hours * 2 semesters = $6.3 million/year

Total revenue from fees:

FIU (38,000): $8.6 million

Texas State (28,000): $8.4 million (by 2012)

South Alabama (14,000): $7.1 million

UTSA (29,000): $6.9 million

FAU (26,000) : $5.3 million

La-La (17,000) : $3.5 million

La-Mo (8,000) : $1.66 million

Now, if UNT increased to just $10 an hour:

UNT: 35,000 * $10/hour * 15 hours * 2 semesters = $10.5 million/year

Our enrollment is our strength. I think if you put it in this perspective, we're not in that bad of shape compared to these other schools.

Edited July 26, 2008 by UNTflyer

UNTFan23 · July 26, 2008

One reason every single school on that list needs large student fees is to make up for the small fan base.

For comparison sake, Adler could you find out how much aTm and uT charge students in athletics fees?

UNTflyer · July 26, 2008

In looking at the enrollment numbers, I was shocked that FIU claims 38,000 students. I call B.S. on that one.

GrandGreen · July 26, 2008

University of South Alabama ...... $253.00 per student per semester South Alabama Tuition and Fee schedule
South Alabama increased the athletic fee effective this year with intents to participate in Sun Belt football in 2012.
Florida International University......$227.65 per student per semester Florida International Fee Schedule
The fee is based on $14.51 per credit hour (at 15 hours) plus a per semester $10 Intercollegiate Athletics Fee. There is a currently a proposal being reviewed by the FIU Board of Regents that would raise the fee $1.46 per credit hour which would raise the athletic fee to $15.97 per credit hour ($249.55 per student per semester)
Florida Atlantic University.....$206.25 per student per semester FAU Fee Increase
In 2005 Florida Atlantic Trustees saw the need to raise the athletics fee from $11.75 to $13.75 per credit after a student referendum failed that would have made FAU's athletics fee higher than several other Florida university's. After 3 years in the Sun Belt and the subsequent success of the athletic programs, there is a likelihood that an additional increase will soon be passed.
Louisiana Lafayette.....$208.00 per student per semester
Louisiana Monroe.....$208.00 per student per semester
The colleges of the University of Louisiana System do not charge a 'set athletics fee'. Instead the state sets an amount that all state colleges (other than LSU) can direct from tuition and service fees towards athletics. The total amount is based on enrollment and division level. In June 2007 the Lousiana State Legislature passed the measure which would direct an estimated $6.5 to $6.7 million per year from fees towards the University of Louisiana Sysytem's largest college, Louisiana-Lafayette. ($6,500,000.00 divided by 14,500 enrollment over 2 semesters). Louisiana Tech uses the quarters system instead of semesters but the student contribution is still the same. In addition, the state of Louisiana covers much of the cost of capital improvements (stadiums, basketball arenas).
University of Texas-San Antonio.....$240.00 per student per semester UTSA Today on Athletics Fee increase
The students at UTSA passed a referendum in September 2007 that will raise the athletics fee from $10 to $20 per credit hour for up to 12 hours (capped at a maximum $240 per semester). The increase has since been approved by the University of Texas regents. The increase is designed to enable UTSA to not only start football, but to field a competitive team.
Texas State University.....$300.00 per student per semester by 2012 Athletics Fee Increase of February 2008
The Texas State fee is being raised to $20 per credit hour over the next 5 years. (the $300 figure shown above is based on 15 hour courseload)
North Texas......less than $60 per student per semester
Students at North Texas contribute only $123.00 each per year to athletics; that's less than $60 per semester when summer sessions are considered. It's a recipe' for failure.
A tiny increase of a dollar or two per semester may assist with getting a stadium built, but it will do nothing to address the real problem. Many of these schools listed above have enrollments in the 30,000 range or higher. Some, like FAU are planning further increases. With their set student contributions, it will nearly be impossible for North Texas to be competitive, and the reputation of the entire university will continue to suffer..

The numbers quoted cover only the $4 something an hour enacted fairly recently for title 9 compliance. NT athletes is largely supported by student fees. Where do those extra millions that mysteriously balance the athletic budget every year come from? It may not be designated for athletes. but current students contribute much more than the numbers above show in activity fees. NT per full-time total student fees currently run just less than a $1000 a semester and I guess much more of those fees end up supporting athletics than any of the above dedicated fees.

It would be interesting to know what the average contribution per student to the athletic department is at NT inclusive of what is transferred out of the general fund and those funds designed for athletics only. Then perhaps a meaningful comparison with other schools can be made and a determination of how much more can actually be gained through student fees. The well that everyone wants to drill for additional resources may not be as deep as many believe.

Edited July 26, 2008 by GrandGreen

UNTflyer · July 26, 2008

By state law, athletics must funded from the athletics fee. Nothing is coming out of other fees.

Now, currently it is $6/hour, which comes to $180 a year. That is low. Bumping it to $10 an hour comes to $300 a year. Still a bit low, but when applied to our number of students compared to other Sun Belt schools, we're not being passed by. I would love to see $20 an hour.

$20 * 35,000 * 15 hours * 2 semesters = $21 million a year.

GrandGreen · July 26, 2008

By state law, athletics must funded from the athletics fee. Nothing is coming out of other fees.
What state law is that? The state cannot directly contribute to college athletics like many states. However, I don't think it dictates what can be done with student fees, if you are correct were does the extra 3 million or so that balances the athletic budget come from every year?

UNTflyer · July 26, 2008

What state law is that? The state cannot directly contribute to college athletics like many states. However, I don't think it dictates what can be done with student fees, if you are correct were does the extra 3 million or so that balances the athletic budget come from every year?

You're right. It's tuition and state funds that can't be used.

Arkstfan · July 26, 2008

I bet soda machine, cafeteria, bookstore, parking fees, parking fines, and dormitory profits can be used for athletics because its not a state appropriation and its not tuition.

ADLER · July 26, 2008

The numbers quoted cover only the $4 something an hour enacted fairly recently for title 9 compliance. NT athletes is largely supported by student fees. Where do those extra millions that mysteriously balance the athletic budget every year come from? It may not be designated for athletes. but current students contribute much more than the numbers above show in activity fees. NT per full-time total student fees currently run just less than a $1000 a semester and I guess much more of those fees end up supporting athletics than any of the above dedicated fees.
It would be interesting to know what the average contribution per student to the athletic department is at NT inclusive of what is transferred out of the general fund and those funds designed for athletics only. Then perhaps a meaningful comparison with other schools can be made and a determination of how much more can actually be gained through student fees. The well that everyone wants to drill for additional resources may not be as deep as many believe.

The amount referred to was the total $4,200,000 that athletics currently receives from the student fees. Divide that figure by the 34,000 enrollment and it's $123 per student per year. It's not the exact figure for every student but it is the average.

ADLER · July 26, 2008

I will point out that enrollment should be a factor when doing a comparison.
UNT: 35,000 * $6/hour * 15 hours * 2 semesters = $6.3 million/year
Total revenue from fees:
FIU (38,000): $8.6 million
Texas State (28,000): $8.4 million (by 2012)
South Alabama (14,000): $7.1 million
UTSA (29,000): $6.9 million
FAU (26,000) : $5.3 million
La-La (17,000) : $3.5 million
La-Mo (8,000) : $1.66 million
Now, if UNT increased to just $10 an hour:
UNT: 35,000 * $10/hour * 15 hours * 2 semesters = $10.5 million/year
Our enrollment is our strength. I think if you put it in this perspective, we're not in that bad of shape compared to these other schools.

Flyer, your calculations are way off. You are comparing the per semester contributions at the other schools with per year contributions at North Texas.

Double each of the other schools Total revenue from fees for more accurate figures.

UNTFan23 · July 26, 2008

The numbers quoted cover only the $4 something an hour enacted fairly recently for title 9 compliance.

You are right that the $60/semester - $120/year number Adler quoted does come out to the $4/hour increase recently enacted for Title 9. Before that, I want to say that the fee was something like $6 to 7/hr. Students are contributing more than what's been represented in this thread.

GreenStreet · July 26, 2008

In looking at the enrollment numbers, I was shocked that FIU claims 38,000 students. I call B.S. on that one.

Having seen FIU campus I totaly agree. I cant be much larger than Brookhaven or Northlake.

UNTflyer · July 27, 2008

Flyer, your calculations are way off. You are comparing the per semester contributions at the other schools with per year contributions at North Texas.
Double each of the other schools Total revenue from fees for more accurate figures.

Fair enough. Double the figures and an increase to $10/hour still puts us in the middle of the pack. And I agree that we need much, much more.

Also, it's hard to say with any certainty what exactly these schools bring in. For example, Southern 'Bama charges three different flat fees based on the number of hours enrolled.

Edited July 27, 2008 by UNTflyer

UNTflyer · July 27, 2008

Having seen FIU campus I totaly agree. I cant be much larger than Brookhaven or Northlake.

If FIU is collecting $17.2 mil a year in athletics fees, someone needs to be fired. All that cash and no results.

ADLER · July 27, 2008

The following is from the 2004-2005 school year; several years after the Title IX adjustments were included in the student fees.

The $4,315,679.00 in student fees is roughly $126.93 per student for the whole year, or around $60 per semester plus a small amount for summer classes.

NCAA Financial Reports Database

University of North Texas

Ticket Sales $420,729.00

Student Fees $4,315,679.00

Guarantees $1,241,400.00

Contributions $2,610,062.00

Government Support $0.00

Direct Institutional Support $0.00

Indirect Institutional Support $0.00

NCAA/Conference Distributions $1,190,727.00

Concessions, Programs, Parking $214,476.00

Advertisements & Sponsorship $346,491.00

Sports Camps $260,870.00

Other $42,814.00

Total $10,643,248.00

DEFINITION OF REVENUE FIELDS

Ticket Sales

Student Fees Fees that specifically fund the athletic department. In some cases these come with something in return, like tickets to games.

Guarantees Money received from participation in away games.

Contributions Donations to athletic department, including amount paid in excess of a ticket

Direct State or Other Government Support Any government money specifically for the athletic department that the university has no option to use elsewhere.

Direct Institutional Support Includes unrestricted funds allocated to the athletic department by the university. For example, state funds and tuition waivers.

Indirect Facilities and Administrative Support Examples: Use of university attorney, facility maintenance, grounds and field maintenance, security, risk management, utilities, and debt service.

NCAA/Conference Distributions including all tournament revenues Bowl games, tournaments and NCAA distributions.

Broadcast, Television, Radio, and Internet Rights Money from contracts negotiated directly by the university (not the conference or NCAA) for radio and television broadcasts, Internet and ecommerce rights.

Program Sales, Concessions, Novelty Sales, and Parking

Royalties, Advertisements and Sponsorships Money from corporate sponsorships, ads and royalties. The value of products or services provided as part of a sponsorship equipment, apparel, sport drinks, etc. are included.

Sports Camp Revenues Sports camps and clinics.

ABOUT THE DATABASE

This is the most detailed, publicly available database of college athletic department financial information ever assembled.

It came from forms required by the NCAA for the 2004-05 school year. While the NCAA reports such information only in aggregate, the data is presented here by individual school --- with the ability for users to sort by category and conference, and to compare two schools.

The Star obtained the forms through freedom of information requests to the 215 public schools that compete in Division I. There were 164 responses, 76 percent.

(Requests also were sent to Division I's 112 private schools, which had no obligation to release the information. None did. In addition, state law in Pennsylvania and Delaware does not require its public schools to comply.)

The numbers are presented here as they were reported to the NCAA. No attempt was made to change or research anomalies. The NCAA does that.

Despite improvements in accounting procedures, schools still differ in how they report certain information. For example, some placed all contributions in the "non-program specific" category, while others broke them down by football, men's basketball, etc.

NCAA Reports Database

SUMG · July 27, 2008

The following is from the 2004-2005 school year; several years after the Title IX adjustments were included in the student fees.
The $4,315,679.00 in student fees is roughly $126.93 per student for the whole year, or around $60 per semester plus a small amount for summer classes.
NCAA Financial Reports Database
University of North Texas
Ticket Sales $420,729.00
Student Fees $4,315,679.00
Guarantees $1,241,400.00
Contributions $2,610,062.00
Government Support $0.00
Direct Institutional Support $0.00
Indirect Institutional Support $0.00
NCAA/Conference Distributions $1,190,727.00
Concessions, Programs, Parking $214,476.00
Advertisements & Sponsorship $346,491.00
Sports Camps $260,870.00
Other $42,814.00
Total $10,643,248.00
DEFINITION OF REVENUE FIELDS
Ticket Sales
Student Fees Fees that specifically fund the athletic department. In some cases these come with something in return, like tickets to games.
Guarantees Money received from participation in away games.
Contributions Donations to athletic department, including amount paid in excess of a ticket
Direct State or Other Government Support Any government money specifically for the athletic department that the university has no option to use elsewhere.
Direct Institutional Support Includes unrestricted funds allocated to the athletic department by the university. For example, state funds and tuition waivers.
Indirect Facilities and Administrative Support Examples: Use of university attorney, facility maintenance, grounds and field maintenance, security, risk management, utilities, and debt service.
NCAA/Conference Distributions including all tournament revenues Bowl games, tournaments and NCAA distributions.
Broadcast, Television, Radio, and Internet Rights Money from contracts negotiated directly by the university (not the conference or NCAA) for radio and television broadcasts, Internet and ecommerce rights.
Program Sales, Concessions, Novelty Sales, and Parking
Royalties, Advertisements and Sponsorships Money from corporate sponsorships, ads and royalties. The value of products or services provided as part of a sponsorship equipment, apparel, sport drinks, etc. are included.
Sports Camp Revenues Sports camps and clinics.
ABOUT THE DATABASE
This is the most detailed, publicly available database of college athletic department financial information ever assembled.
It came from forms required by the NCAA for the 2004-05 school year. While the NCAA reports such information only in aggregate, the data is presented here by individual school --- with the ability for users to sort by category and conference, and to compare two schools.
The Star obtained the forms through freedom of information requests to the 215 public schools that compete in Division I. There were 164 responses, 76 percent.
(Requests also were sent to Division I's 112 private schools, which had no obligation to release the information. None did. In addition, state law in Pennsylvania and Delaware does not require its public schools to comply.)
The numbers are presented here as they were reported to the NCAA. No attempt was made to change or research anomalies. The NCAA does that.
Despite improvements in accounting procedures, schools still differ in how they report certain information. For example, some placed all contributions in the "non-program specific" category, while others broke them down by football, men's basketball, etc.
NCAA Reports Database

Hey Jeff...if that's all the money taken in...how do we make up the difference in that amount and what our budget was that year? Because I'm sure it was a lot more than $10.6 million. I'm guessing the budget was $14-15 million that year. Just wondering......

UNTflyer · July 27, 2008

$2.6 million in contributions is pretty nice. Much bigger than I thought. I wonder where we compare to the other schools you cited.

UNTflyer · July 27, 2008

Total revenues based on that website:

FAU: $14,454,890

FIU: $14,431,410

UNT: $10,643,248

Texas Sate: $10,168,753

LaLa: $7,622,387

UTSA: $7,499,025

South Alabama: $6,957,077

LaMo: $6,652,372

Our fee increase would make our number close to $15 mil.

ADLER · July 27, 2008

If FIU is collecting $17.2 mil a year in athletics fees, someone needs to be fired. All that cash and no results.

Yes, and FIU has the highest paid coaches in the league and is completing a new on -campus stadium.

People probably laughed at South Florida and Central Florida back when they made similar commitments.

Can you name the first home game that South Florida ever won against a Division 1A team? It was 2001 against North Texas. Since that point North Texas has struggled at times against Sun Belt competition and been clearly dominated outside it's league. South Florida has gained admission to the league we currently can only dream about joining, and has then left it for a BCS confernce. Oh, and by the way, South Florida was ranked as high as number 3 in the nation at one point this past season.

Central Florida has made a similar commitment and is starting to show similar results.

These are large schools that are very similar to North Texas in many aspects. They made an investment while North Texas selected the 'cheap' route.

ADLER · July 27, 2008

Total revenues based on that website:
FAU: $14,454,890
FIU: $14,431,410
UNT: $10,643,248
Texas Sate: $10,168,753
LaLa: $7,622,387
UTSA: $7,499,025
South Alabama: $6,957,077
LaMo: $6,652,372
Our fee increase would make our number close to $15 mil.

Yes, and like I've stated, and the purpose of this thread, those were 2004-2005 figures. ALL THOSE SCHOOLS ARE RADICALLY CHANGING THOSE FUNDING FIGURES. North Texas hasn't changed jack squat and is now thinking of the base increase which can possibly fund a new stadium.

They are making real investments while North Texas contemplates digging through the sofa for loose change. And we sit and wonder why North Texas doesn't have a loyal customer base.

The North Texas budget will be dwarfed by the commitment at several of those schools.

UNTflyer · July 27, 2008

I agree. USF has revenue of $20 mil and UCF is at $22 mil. Granted, they get a huge chunk from ticket sales and conference/NCAA distributions. They also are allowed to use state funds. But we need to match those levels of revenue if we want to compete.

ADLER · July 27, 2008

I agree. USF has revenue of $20 mil and UCF is at $22 mil. Granted, they get a huge chunk from ticket sales and conference/NCAA distributions. They also are allowed to use state funds. But we need to match those levels of revenue if we want to compete.

Exactly!!! (and those figures were from 2004-2005, before the recent success at each school)

The athletic budget at each of those schools will probably be in excess of 30 million by 2012.

Ticket sales have increased significantly for each school during the last decade, enrollment is up, alumni donations are way up, corporate donations are way up, research grants are way up, both schools have become more selective on admissions, and the value of a degree from each school has risen to unforseen levels.

And to think, ten years ago they were just regarded by almost everyone as 'insignificant commuter colleges".

Nobody had even heard of South Florida when North Texas first played them in 2001. How times have changed for them.