In June, the Athletics and Recreation Review suggested Queen’s re-evaluate the way its programs are funded compared to other universities and look into charging additional fees for instructional programs, intramurals and tickets to varsity games.
Right now, the mandatory athletic fee Queen’s students pay goes towards subsidizing recreational sports, fitness classes and instructional programs. Tickets to varsity games are free.
What drafters of the proposal seem to forget is the consequences of this suggestion: tacking on more student fees will likely decrease both participation in recreational activities and attendance at interuniversity games.
Intramural sports hold an important spot in campus life, and adopting the proposed policy would be exclusionary. Charging to play on recreational teams would create an imbalance between prospective participants who can or can’t afford to .
The fees would detract from the fun of intramural sports, adding the additional disincentive that if you can’t make it to a game, you’re squandering your money.
The suggestion that tickets to varsity sports games should carry a price is also a questionable goal—with turnout already low, imposing an entrance fee would only further discourage attendees.
Athletics and Recreation Chair Leslie Dal Cin asserted that charging ission would add value to varsity games. In an attempt to promote sports at the University, Dal Cin seems to regard credibility as something that can be created rather than earned.
Asking students to pay additional fees in order to participate could put more money in the department’s pocket, but it would also put a damper on the school spirit for which Queen’s is renowned.
Requiring separate payments for intramurals and fitness classes would mean less accessibility for a higher price. Watching interuniveristy games at a cost is hardly an incentive to our varsity teams, and would probably result in an even more dismal turnout. Realistically, extracting athletic funds by slapping on more student fees would diminish school pride and decrease student athletic involvement altogether.
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