I think that the use of the facilities fee to create new intramural fields is an ineffective use of this money. Although it is true that the facilities fee was established to fund improvements to non-academic space, this money should not be spent carelessly.

It surprises me that this is the first priority for the fee. I was not aware that there is a shortage of space for IM and other recreational activities; I pass by sports games at the fields on Park Avenue almost every night and see no issue concerning a shortage of space.

Though these spaces may not be fully developed or equipped with first aid stations, they appear to serve the same purpose just as well as the new fields would. With the several other fields across campus, I do not see the immediate need for expensive new fields.

Perhaps a better use of the facilities fee would be to cover or defray the cost of a campus gym membership. It was confusing for me to learn that a campus gym membership (and use of facilities such as the Natatorium) carries a cost not included in the student activities fee or the facilities fee.

If students are going to be charged an extra fee, it should be used in a way to benefit a majority of students. Many students will graduate before they see this fee put to use, and many others may find no use for the new fields. There must be a better way to spend $3.5 million and benefit the most people.

Owen Whiting

sophomore-economics