referendum in early Aten will decide if a new fee, totaling around five or six dollars, will be added to DC students’ January tuition. If the referendum fails, the motion to add this new fee will be deferred to the DCSS AGM in the early spring. _ Under the current system, the Athletic Department is supposed to receive 18% of the total student fees collect- ed each semester by the DCSS; however, due to budg- the first floor. The proposed fee would be separated out on a student's tuition pay- ment form, as the Alumni and Building fees are now, into an Activities and Fine Arts (theatre and music) sec- tion, with each department receiving the collected money directly. “We're hoping that this fee would be non-pro- -rate.,” Athletics Rep, Kelli Semple stated when asked about the way the fee would be applied. “Just because you have one course doesn't mean | pump life hletics and Fine Arts pass, however, it will mean dire straights for the Athletic Department. “We've [Athletics] lost over $200,000 dollars in funding, and not just from the DCSS, from the provincial govern- ment as well,” Kelli Semple said. “[Next year] we'll have activities, the bare minimum and people will be charged for it.” The decision is now in the students’ pencils. In early November we find out where those pencils will land. Brought to you by the Listed below are some of the activities and services provided by the Athletic Department, all or most of which will disappear unless this new fee is ratified. Indoor Soccer Intramurals Volleyball Intramurals Drop-in Table Tennis Drop-in Basketball Drop-in Badminton Fitness \Aerobics Classes Yoga Classes Massage Therapy BC Fitness Challenge 50 / 100 Wellness Challenge Alternative Healing Classes NCCP (National Coaching Certification) Theory Levels I, 2, 3 Fitness \ Weight Training Instructor Training Levels I & 2 All of these services are provided free of charge or carry a small fee. They will be dropped or a larger fee will be applied if the new activities fee proposal fails. Juawedaq IHeIUIY et overruns on the new DCSS building, most of this money hasn't made its way down to Upcoming Games Soccer v. Capilano Blues @ Queen’s Park, New Westminster Women [2pm Men 2pm Requiem in Atnietics Minor HE WHO WALKS BEHIND THE BENCHES ost students who took the time to read the above article are probably tightening their grip around their wallets and griping about how the school is trying to make the poor students poorer (this doesn't apply to those who drive sports cars that mommy and daddy gave them). Why should they care if Athletics dies? “More space for labs” some would say, or “Well, at least we won't have to be bothered with those annoying calendars” others would add. Well, what about the other parts of the Athletic Department that aren't part of the varsity teams? Check out the sidebar on the above-mentioned article and see all the services that you, the average student, get for nothing— or next to it. If you don't cough up the extra three bucks a semester (Fine Arts gets the other three remember?), youd better have some deep pockets if you expect to tse any of the services offered by Achletics. For example, drop-in basketball n Tuesdays and Thursdays: a time to shoot around and play basket- all, all for the price of showing our student card. Now, fast for- ard a little bit and see drop-in you can't [use the athletic facilities | ~ If the referendum doesn't ” basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays changed to basketball for five bucks a pop. If anyone likes the idea of dropping five bucks every time they want to use the gym as opposed to dropping three bucks once a semester for unlimited use, they should have their head examined. In fact, most students probably wont notice the passing of the Athletic Department. Elementary sporting events are better attended ‘than home games at David Lam and New West. From the ‘price’ of admission to these games (you just show your student card), it would be logical to think that more stu- dents would take the time to catch a game or two. It’s not the Grizzlies, MLS, or the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, but hey, a good seat wont cost you three days pay and you won't have to drop five dollars on a beer smaller than most paper cups in washrooms. Of course this is just a dream, the referendum will fail, Athletics will slip quietly into nothingness and most students won't even notice. Those that do will try to raise a voice, but will be beaten back by the general masses. Good-bye Athletic Department, most of us didn't know you at all. Wheelchair Basketball Hosting Women’s National team Today and tomorrow @ New Westminster Support your Royals Student Special 10% off with Douglas ID Douglas College 8th STREET 2 Royal Avenue Columbia Street 74 Eighth Street New Westminster, BC Ph/Fax-7823 The Other Press October 14 1998 Page 11