Student fee increase to fund later hours in the stacks

East Tennessee State University’s Student Government Association passed a proposal that will increase student fees by $10 per semester.

The revenue collected from this fee increase will be used to extend library hours for students and to improve the library.

Lucas Hitechew, an SGA senator and student representative on the library committee, said students wanted extended hours for the library.

Students also voiced proposals for more private and quiet study spaces.

Patricia Van Zandt, dean of library administration, answered these concerns with a proposal to the SGA that would add $10  per semester to each student’s fees.

In return, the library will make changes to the layout of the facilities and will extend some weekend hours while keeping the current hours.

The SGA senate unanimously passed Van Zandt’s proposal at the SGA’s first meeting of the semester.

The SGA-approved fee will take effect fall 2013.

Hitechew sees certain benefits in increasing fees for students, he said.

“I think that this fee serves a great function and will be giving the students more than they are paying out,” Hitechew said.

Tuition and fee increases are not always received with open arms from the student body, but Hitechew believes this rise will pay off in the future, he said.

“I always hate to raise tuition, but I think this particular fee will work wonders for the students in the long run,” Hitechew said.

The SGA meets at 4 p.m. Tuesdays in the Forum Room of the D.P. Culp University Center.