The Athletic Department Finance Committee signed a contract with the Athletic Department Thursday for the 2007-08 year in the amount of $1,414,643. The agreement, although very similar to year’s past, contains wording providing room for adjustments if an electronic ticket system is implemented.
The contract provides fewer seats to some less popular football games next year, a compromise reached by the committee and the Athletic Department to ensure more student tickets are used, and to prevent the ADFC from having a large increase in funding.
The Student Senate appropriations committee has included money for implementing electronic ticketing in both proposals it presented to Senate last week, but Senate did not vote on the proposals.
Sen. Kyle McKenzie said he felt the Athletic Department intends to go ahead with the system even if students do not contribute to the start-up costs.
Some committee members expressed reservation over spending student dollars in what they see as a money-saving move for the Athletic Department.
“We’re paying out money to save them money,” committee member Troy Kalus said.
McKenzie said the $30,000 that the appropriations committee has suggested spending on electronic ticketing is “not that significant.”
The committee also voted to approve spending of $1,200 to subsidize the Hawaii Club’s use of McArthur Court for its upcoming Lu’au scheduled for May 5. Lu’au coordinator Stefanie Lum said it will cost $2,400 to rent the basketball court.
– Jill Aho