LETTER: Support $1.25 fee increase

To the editor:

    I was a bit shocked that despite all of the presidential candidates claiming in their platforms that they will strive to keep tuition and student fee increases minimal, all but one were in favor of the $65 Athletics Student Fee Increase. I was also concerned that all but two of the candidates were opposed to or on the fence about the fee increase for Aggie Blue Bikes (ABB) of $1.25. I was not at the debate, however, I believe that those in favor of such an enormous fee increase and so scrutinizing about such a small fee increase have already abandoned their platforms and will not justly serve the students at USU.
    I just cannot believe that the ABB’s fee of $1.25 seemed to come under the microscope more than the $65 athletic fee. I believe the arguments against the ABB fee increase is on the basis of the number students they serve. 
    Here are some dependable hard facts on student usage. Fall Semester 2008 ABB served 599 users. That has increased from Fall Semester 2007 when they only served 88 users. ABB expects its growth in users to continue. This semester ABB has already doubled its users from Spring Semester 2008. The argument that ABB serves too few of students to justify $1.25 is a difficult case to make because the number of users they serve is growing. The question I would pose is: At what magical number of users can we finally justify $1.25 in student fees to go towards ABB. The second question I would pose is: Can we, the students, not assume that ABB will reach and perhaps exceed that number soon?
    To those who ask “Why should I pay for a program I will not use?” I say: That is part of being a community member. Throughout your life you will pay for things you may never use. I will never directly use the athletics program and I will end up paying 95.2 times more money for a program I don’t use than the program (ABB) that I will and do use. One may say, “Well no one is stopping you from going to the games and getting you money’s worth.” To that I respond “And nothing is stopping you from using ABB and I would wager that you will walk away with a whole lot more than just mere entertainment.”
    What a lot of folks may not know is that the majority of ABB users annual income is between $0 and $5,000. I beg you to not deny them a program that provides them with transportation. We all need help at some point in our lives. Imagine yourself in a less fortunate position and helping you boiled down to $1.25. Now imagine someone saying, “Na, I don’t think this is the best time for me to give $1.25.” Or “$1.25 is too much!”
    Please! Do not destroy such an awesome program. Vote yes to the $1.25 fee increase for ABB.

Adam Christensen