The Student Government Association unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday that will ask ETSU administrators to either eliminate or reduce a controversial $20-per-credit-hour fee imposed on business classes last fall.
The resolution, sponsored by SGA senators Ethan Flynn and Nathan Bays, states that the fee is “an undue burden” and should be eliminated or reduced.
“The fee came right on top of a 14 percent tuition increase,” said Sen. Sam Barnes, a business student who voted in favor of the resolution. “For most business students, it actually caused tuition to rise by 30 percent.”
The resolution is the latest attempt by SGA officials to discredit the controversial fee implemented by the Tennessee Board of Regents last fall. In February, Flynn and Bays sponsored a failed resolution that would have demanded a full refund for students who paid the fee, while implying that the extra $400,000 it raised did not adequately benefit students or faculty.
ETSU administrators, however, continue to support the fee, saying it is a necessary evil brought on by state budget cuts and the rising costs of education. Dr. Linda Garceau, dean of the college of business and technology, said ETSU officials recommended to the TBR that the fee be implemented as an effort to offset the high cost of business courses and prepare the college for upcoming accreditation issues.
Without the increase, Garceau said, the College of Business would suffer and non-business students would have to help foot the bill: “We believe the fee was approved for all of the right reasons. It is unfortunate that students are being asked to pay more. However, the goal at ETSU is to provide the very best education possible. That requires additional resources. If new resources are not available, the only other choice is to reallocate them from other programs to the business program. Thus, all students would have to support the education of a few.”
Flynn and Bays disagree with Garceau’s assessment, however, saying that “the revenue received from the business fee does not resolve or help in any way the major fiscal issues that plague the College of Business and Technology.”
Dr. Sally Lee, SGA adviser, will present the resolution to key university administrators for consideration before the end of the semester.
The resolution has limited power, however; it is seen only as a strong recommendation to administrators by students.
In other matters, secretary/ treasurer Lindsay Houston announced the Student Allocations Committee approved a $26,000 budget for the 2004-05 SGA.
The majority of the money will be used as Student Activity (606) funding and given to student groups for on-and-off campus events that promote leadership and educational opportunity.

Author