Make your voice heard:

Student Body President Joel Anderson wants to hear your opinion on the costs and benefits of University of Northern Iowa Athletics and the university's other auxiliary programs, which include the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the Wellness and Recreation Center, Maucker Union and the Student Health Center.

In March, David Miles, president of the Iowa Board of Regents, called for a resolution to eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of general funding allocated to UNI Athletics. The athletics program currently receives $4.5 million out of its $11 million budget from the General Fund.

"We want to see if we can get that 4.5 million dollars off the general fund and supported from somewhere else," Anderson said. "Another reason this appeared is because the University of Iowa does not have any of their athletic funds come from the general fund, and Iowa State University does have a little bit coming but not as much as us."

Miles has asked that UNI officials develop their plan for reducing the amount of the general fund allocated to athletics by September 1.  The resolution has sparked an evaluation of the costs and benefits of all of the university's auxiliary programs as well as an examination of different ways that auxiliaries can generate more revenue in order to decrease dependency on the general fund.

Anderson has asked that students complete the following survey in order to ensure that their voice is heard in this evaluation.

"So basically what I have to do is report back to President Allen how much students care about not just athletics but all auxiliaries."

The university's auxiliary programs receive funding from the fees that students pay each year, but currently also receive allocations from the general fund, which is comprised of tax money received from the State of Iowa, tuition revenue, and interest income from the university's investments.

"One of the main issues is, we're just looking at how to effectively use all our dollars, and the other main issue is that some people don't wish to see taxpayer money going to some of these auxiliaries that the general fund is paying for," Anderson said.

Anderson feels that UNI Athletics has already made a substantial effort to reduce the use of general funds.

"I think UNI has been doing a good job at reducing this," Anderson said. "We're working towards it; it's just kind of sad that we have to be rushed so fast."

To make sure that you opinions about university auxiliary programs like UNI Athletics and the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center are heard, complete the following survey and email your answers to the questions to nisg@uni.

1.    On a scale of one to 10, with one being the least and 10 being the most, how important would you say UNI Athletics is to you?

2.    Please list the non-monetary benefits and costs of UNI Athletics.

3.    Can you name any parties outside the university that benefit from UNI Athletics?

4.    On a scale of one to 10, how important would you say the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center is to you?

5.    Please list the non-monetary benefits and costs of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

6.    Can you name any parties outside the university that benefit from the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center?

7.    On a scale of one to 10, how important would you say the Wellness and Recreation Center is to you?

8.    Please list the non-monetary benefits and costs of the Wellness and Recreation Center.

9.    Can you name any parties outside the university that benefit from the Wellness and Recreation Center?

10.    10. On a scale of one to 10, how important would you say Maucker   Union is to you?

11.    Please list the non-monetary benefits and costs of Maucker Union.

12.    Can you name any parties outside the university that benefit from Maucker Union?

13.    On a scale of one to 10, how important would you say the Student Health Center is to you?

14.    Please list the non-monetary benefits and costs of the Student Health Center.

15.    Can you name any parties outside the university that benefit from the Student Health Center?