An increase in student fees to fund campus improvements would be phased in gradually and could start as early as fall 2004, student government officials said.
In February, students are expected to vote on a referendum about new fees to fund upgrades to the Memorial Union and Student Recreation Complex.
The maximum student fee for these improvements would be $155 per semester.
If the referendum passes and if ASU President Michael Crow and the Arizona Board of Regents ap-prove, fees will be implemented in phases, said Undergraduate Stud-ent Govern-ment President Brandon Goad.
"The fees will come on board when facilities become available for students," Goad said, "but only as long as students get what they're paying for."
Goad added that the fees were always intended to be implemented as services became available, but the new timeline would speed up the process.
GPSA president Brian Collier said that until all new services are available, students shouldn't have to pay the entire fee.
"We're not going to support a new fee without new services," he said. "That would just be irresponsible."
Collier and Goad asked MU and SRC administration Monday to devise a three- or four-year plan to show what students would get per year as fees increased before reaching $155.
"I'm suggesting a gradation of $25, $55, $100, then to $155," Collier said. After a timeline is developed for improvements, it will be available online to all students.
"I don't want to blindside students with fees," Collier said. "I wanted to let students know before they vote exactly what administration is agreeing to with the new fees."
Biochemistry junior Zach Erno said his vote would depend on what services were offered for the extra money. "If it's spread out, I think it is more acceptable," Erno said, "but that doesn't mean I'd immediately vote yes."
Reach the reporter at katherine.j.krzys@asu.edu.
