University Athletic Association Charging Students: Fair Or Foul?

The University Athletic Association (UAA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The UAA was founded in 1986 and is composed of eight universities. While the UAA does not charge students directly, a 2020 investigation by NBC News revealed that students at American colleges and universities are often paying a rising cost, sometimes thousands of dollars, to support athletic programs through fees that don't always appear on their tuition bills.

Students charged thousands in hidden athletic fees

College students in the US are paying thousands of dollars in hidden athletic fees, an NBC News investigation has found. The fees, which are not always clearly disclosed, go towards supporting athletic programs at their institutions.

A rising cost

Students are paying a rising cost, sometimes thousands of dollars, to support athletic programs at their colleges. These fees are not always clearly disclosed and may be buried in tuition bills or require a visit to the university website or a public records request to uncover. This lack of transparency has upset advocates trying to combat rising school costs, who argue that it is deceptive to bundle fees in this way.

A burden for students

The hidden athletic fees place a significant financial burden on students, who often have to take out loans to cover their tuition and other expenses. For example, Katelyn Waltemyer, a junior at James Madison University in Virginia, discovered a required fee of $2,340 in her school's tuition bill, which was solely to finance the school's sports teams. Waltemyer, who works two jobs and is a full-time student, expressed frustration at having to contribute so much to support athletics, a subject she is not particularly interested in.

Soaring fees

Student fees have soared in the past decade, rising even faster than the overall cost of a public university education. Schools in Division 1, the top level of college sports, collected $1.2 billion in fiscal 2018, according to NCAA figures, a 51% increase over the past decade. In comparison, the average yearly tuition at a four-year public college has risen by only 37% in the same period.

Justification for the fees

College officials have defended the fees, arguing that Division 1 sports programs foster school spirit, attract student applications, and encourage donations. They also provide a way to increase the profile of the university and boost branding. However, critics argue that there is little evidence that universities see a sustained benefit from investing heavily in sports programs.

Resistance to the fees

There is growing resistance to the hidden athletic fees, with students at some schools fighting back. For example, at East Carolina University in North Carolina, students were upset when the administration proposed hiking the annual athletic fee by $50. The school's student government passed a resolution against the increase, but it was approved by the board of trustees nonetheless.

Universities defend the practice

The University Athletic Association (UAA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. All UAA member schools are private and ranked within the top 50 of national research universities. The UAA was founded in 1986 and currently has eight full members, including Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Emory University.

For example, football games at Penn State bring alumni and community members back to campus, reconnecting them with the university's mission and making them more likely to donate. This argument is supported by anecdotal evidence, such as the 27.5% increase in applications received by Florida Gulf Coast University after a successful run in the 2013 March Madness NCAA basketball playoffs.

Additionally, universities argue that having strong athletic programs can serve as a marketing tool, increasing the university's profile and visibility within the community, state, region, and nation. This can lead to enhanced branding and a potential boost in applications and donations.

While critics argue that there is little evidence of a sustained benefit from investing in athletic programs, universities maintain that athletics can positively impact various aspects of the institution, justifying the inclusion of athletic fees in student tuition.

Furthermore, universities defend the practice by highlighting the separate funding models of athletic programs. Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State, for example, funds itself primarily through ticket sales, restricted donations, sponsorships, and licensing. While this can be a controversial topic, supporters argue that the success of athletic programs can have trickle-down effects on other areas of the university, including student recruitment and overall institutional success.

In conclusion, universities defend the practice of charging students athletic fees by emphasizing the broader benefits to the institution, such as enhanced school spirit, increased applications, and improved branding. They also highlight the separate funding models of athletic programs and their potential positive impact on various aspects of university life. While there may be ongoing debates and resistance to these fees, universities maintain their position that athletic programs bring value that justifies the inclusion of athletic fees in student tuition.

Students and parents upset by the fees

Students and parents are upset by the rising fees associated with university athletic associations, which are often hidden in the form of athletic fees or subsidies within student fees. These fees, which can amount to thousands of dollars, are used to finance athletic programs, scholarships for athletes, and salaries for coaches and administrators. While universities argue that sports teams foster school spirit, attract student applications, and encourage donations, many students feel that they are already paying too much and that universities are too quick to pass on these costs to them.

Katelyn Waltemyer, a junior at James Madison University in Virginia, was shocked to discover a required fee of $2,340 in her yearly tuition bill, which was solely intended to finance the school's sports teams. She expressed frustration at having to contribute to athletes' scholarships, especially considering the rising costs of higher education. Waltemyer's story sparked reactions from fellow students and parents, who shared her concerns about the excessive fees.

Similarly, at the University of California, Santa Cruz, sophomore Andy Pinedo voted against a proposed increase of $270 per year to support the school's Division III teams. Pinedo believes that students already bear a significant financial burden and that universities should support athletics without passing the costs on to students. He also questioned the justification for these fees, suggesting that they are not aligned with the purported academic benefits of sports.

The issue of athletic fees is not limited to these two universities. According to an NBC News investigation, four out of five Division I public universities charge students a fee to finance sports teams. These fees are often hidden or not properly disclosed, leaving students and parents in the dark about the true cost of their education. The investigation also revealed that student fees have been increasing at a faster rate than tuition, indicating that the financial burden on students is growing.

The rising athletic fees have sparked concerns among students and parents, who feel that universities should be more transparent about their spending and prioritize academics over athletics. While some universities have defended the fees, citing the benefits of sports programs, others have faced pushback from their student bodies. At Stephen F. Austin State University, a Division I school in Texas, students voted down the creation of an athletics fee in 2016. Additionally, at East Carolina University in North Carolina, students expressed outrage when the administration proposed a $50 increase to the existing athletic fee in 2019.

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, the inclusion of hidden or excessive athletic fees within tuition bills has become a significant concern for students and parents. There is a growing call for universities to reevaluate their spending priorities and provide greater transparency around athletic fees to ensure that students are not unfairly burdened financially.

The University Athletic Association (UAA)

The UAA's eight members are all highly selective, private universities located in Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These include:

• Brandeis University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Emory University
• New York University (NYU)
• The University of Chicago
• University of Rochester
• Washington University in St. Louis

The UAA was founded in 1986, with its charter members being Carnegie Mellon, Case Western Reserve, Emory, Johns Hopkins, New York University, the University of Chicago, the University of Rochester, and Washington University in St. Louis. Brandeis University joined the UAA in the 1987-88 academic year.

The UAA dropped football as a sponsored sport in 2018, as its members joined other athletic conferences for that sport. All UAA member schools are ranked in the top 50 of national research universities. The conference prioritises academic achievement over athletic prowess, and it is the only NCAA conference to have had all of its members affiliated with the Association of American Universities.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

The NCAA was founded in 1906 as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS), taking its present name in 1910. It was initially a discussion group and rules-making body, but in 1921, the first NCAA national championship was held: the National Collegiate Track and Field Championships.

The NCAA is divided into three levels of conferences: Division I, Division II, and Division III, organised in declining program size. Division I and Division II schools can offer scholarships to athletes for playing a sport, whereas Division III schools may not offer any athletic scholarships. Generally, larger schools compete in Division I, and smaller schools in II and III.

In its 2022–23 fiscal year, the NCAA generated $1.28 billion in revenue, $945 million (74%) of which came from airing rights to the Division I men's basketball tournament. The NCAA's business model of prohibiting salaries for collegiate athletes has been challenged in court, but a 2015 case was struck down.

The NCAA has been criticised for its lack of transparency regarding athletic fees charged to students. These fees are often bundled into tuition or other general costs, and students may be paying thousands of dollars to support athletic programs without realising it.

Frequently asked questions