UTSA Seeks to Raise Student Athletic Fees Ahead of Move to AAC

The University of Texas San Antonio is pushing to raise student athletic fees in order to remain competitive as the school moves to the American Athletic Conference. 

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the proposal would raise the university’s fee by $1.50 per credit hour each year for five years beginning in spring 2024. The current charge per credit hour is $20. If the measure passes, it would eventually end up at $27.50 for the 2027-28 academic year and beyond. The fee is capped at 12 credit hours per semester, meaning a full-time student would pay $660 annually in 2027-28 compared to the current $480.

If passed, the proposal would generate an additional $5 million annually for UTSA's athletic department. 

Named the "Everyone Wins" campaign by athletic director Lisa Campos. students are slated to vote on the initiative Oct. 25 and 26. 

“Great universities benefit from great athletics programs,” UTSA president Taylor Eighmy said in a video on the campaign’s website. “At UTSA, we’re building on our momentum to reach new heights in both academics and athletics, bringing more national exposure and opportunities to our university.”

UTSA’s total athletic expenses of $37.6 million in 2021-22 ranked 10th of 13 reporting football schools in the AAC, per data from the U.S. Department of Education.

“To remain competitive, grow in all sports and keep the momentum going, we’re seeking additional donors, ticket holders, fans and sponsors,” Campos said in a video. “Student fees are also essential to growing our programs and covering rising expenses.”