2024 Athletic Referendum Fee
Unlock a future with MORE at UT Tyler — more recognition, more value and more fun
— raise your talons! Support UT Tyler Patriot Athletics on March 20 to March 22 through
the Athletic Fee Student Referendum.
As a recent member of NCAA Division II and classified by the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Ed as an R2 Research University, UT Tyler is soaring to
new heights.
High-caliber athletics and top-notch academics bring elevated experiences for students,
and an investment is key to seize the new opportunities that await. Build school spirit,
university pride and UT Tyler brand recognition, increasing the value of your degree.
BENEFITS FOR ALL STUDENTS
Benefits For All Students
1. School Spirit and University Pride
- Patriot Athletics helps spread university spirit across campus and throughout Tyler, building more university pride. This pride helps to enhance the campus culture and furthers camaraderie among students, faculty/staff members, alumni and community members.
2. In-Game Environment
- To enhance the student experience, Athletics and Student Affairs will use the proposed fee to continue to invest in more fun and interactive in-game entertainment for all students. This may include things like pregame and postgame gatherings, watch parties, events, giveaways and community involvement at UT Tyler Athletic events. This fee increase will also support the spirit squad programs and band programs.
3. National Recognition
- More people will learn about UT Tyler through the university’s 17 Division II athletic programs as they continue to build national awareness of the university. By completing the transition to NCAA Division II and joining the Lone Star Conference, UT Tyler is now showcased across the Southwest and nationally, making potential future employers more familiar with the school and the caliber of its students and programs. That adds value to your UT Tyler degree.
4. Classroom to Career Training
- Athletics employs student workers and provides hands-on career experience in dozens of fields, including marketing, communications, game operations, facility management and more. Former student workers have gone on to establish successful careers with major employers. With a fee increase, Athletics can increase the amount of resources available within the student worker program.
5. Maintaining On-Campus Facilities
- This fee increase would help the upkeep and maintenance of the award-winning athletic facilities on the campus of UT Tyler. Access to these venues for the campus community elevates the student experience and provides destination venues for NCAA, Lone Star Conference and local events. These events continually help the economic growth within the community.
6. Free up Funds
- If the proposed athletic fee increase passes, it will reduce university spending on Athletics, freeing up funds for other student organizations like Greek Life, Patriot Drumline and many more.
Lone Star Conference
| FY24 Athletic Fee | ||
|---|---|---|
| Per Semester Max | ||
| University | Min | Max |
| San Angelo State | $33 | $396 |
| West Texas A&M | $32 | $416 |
| UT Permian Basin | $24 | $288 |
| Texas A&M International | $23 | $354 |
| Texas A&M Kingsville | $20 | $260 |
| Midwestern State | $18 | max not listed |
| UT Tyler | $16 | $240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The move aligned UT Tyler with other state schools of similar enrollment. The DIII American Southwest Conference was primarily a private school conference with student enrollments much smaller than UT Tyler. Moving up to Division II brings greater recognition, stronger competition and increased costs due to a variety of factors including transportation. UT Tyler teams now travel nearly 900 miles each way to compete.
The following are exempt from the athletic fee:
- Dual Credit Students – Students are charged, then a waiver is applied to cover the fee.
- Finish@UT Tyler Students (Finish@UT | The University of Texas System (utsystem.edu)) – Students are charged, then a waiver is applied to cover the fee.
- Online Programs
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science
- RN to BSN
- College of Education & Psychology Online Programs – Students are charged, then a waiver
is applied to cover the fee.
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Education and Leadership
- Special Education
- Reading
- School Counseling
- Accelerated Online Programs in conjunction with Academic Partnership (online.uttyler.edu/degrees/business/mba/)
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Cyber Security
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Data Analytics
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Management
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Marketing
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Organizational Development & Leadership
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Project Management
- Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Supply Chain Management
- Health Science Center Programs
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science in Biotechnology
If supported, the athletic fee would increase by $2 per credit hour in 2024, $2 in 2025 and $2 in 2026. The cost of attendance for a student taking 15 credit hours in the fall and spring would increase by $60 each year for the next three years with the 2+2+2 model. The cap for students taking 15 credit hours or more per semester would be $270 in 2024, $300 in 2025 and $330 in 2026. The minimums would be $108 in 2024, $120 in 2025 and $132 in 2026.
Athletic Student Aid is not supported by student fees.
FY23 Athletic Expenses Actual
| FY23 Athletic Expenses Actual | |
| Athletic Student Aid (not supported by student fees) | $2.13M |
| Coaching Salaries and Benefits | $1.95M |
| Support Staff Salaries and Benefits | $1.57M |
| Game Day, Officials, Medical, Recruiting, Spirit | $1.41M |
| Team Travel | $1.15M |
| Equipment, Uniforms, Supplies | $0.38M |
| Other Expenses | $0.38M |
FY23 Athletics Operating Revenue
| FY23 Athletic Revenues | |
| Student athletic fees | $3,232,434.00 |
| Indirect Institutional Support | $103,662.00 |
| Contributions | $284,521.00 |
| Direct Institutional Support other than Athletic Student Aid | $2,395,070.00 |
| Athletics Restricted Endowment and Investment Income | $47,831.00 |
| NCAA Distributions | $149,200.00 |
| Athletic Student Aid* | $2,129,648.00 |
| Compensation and Benefits Provided by a Third-Party | $275,850.00 |
| Royalties, Licensing, Advertisements and Sponsorships | $137,113.00 |
| Sports Camps, Ticket Sales & Other Revenue | $216,230.00 |
| Total Operating Revenues | $8,971,559.00 |
| *Athletic Student Aid not supported by student fees. | |
In addition to inflation, the transition to NCAA Division II competition and the Lone Star Conference has led to increased costs in travel, lodging, transportation, insurance, staffing and other expenses.
The previous athletic fee referendum took place in fall 2021 and did not pass for a variety of reasons.
- Increase the overall visibility of the university
- Remain competitive as an institution among students and student-athletes
- Address limitations of existing facilities and provide safe equipment
- Allow for more student activities and mental health support
A referendum is a student vote on compulsory fees. Votes are approved by students via a campus election process and later approved by campus administration, UT System Board of Regents and State Legislature.
- Student approval from Texas State Legislature is required
- Provide an opportunity for students to offer feedback
- Raising a designated fee in Texas by more than 10% without a campuswide referendum is not possible
Let us know if you have questions, concerns, or feedback about the 2024 Athletic Fee
Referendum