The University of British Columbia Department of Athletics and Recreation and the Alma Mater Society (AMS) today announced extensive student fee reductions for intramural and recreation activities on the UBC Vancouver campus to take effect in September 2009.
The fee reductions are the result of a student-led lobbying campaign and have been realized through the combination of continuing AMS financial support and by taking advantage of increased net revenues from Athletics and Recreation business operations.
“This joint effort is being undertaken to make programs affordable in a time of economic uncertainty,” said Bob Philip, Director of Athletics and Recreation, “and to encourage UBC students to participate in the wide range of intramural and recreation programs available at UBC.”
Philip said fee reductions have been made possible by sound business practices implemented by the department in recent years that have focused on cost containment and new revenue generating initiatives.
“Affordability is always a concern in student life,” said Michael Duncan, outgoing AMS President. “The AMS is thrilled that UBC really listened to the concerns of students. These decreased athletic and recreation fees mean increased accessibility for our students.”
Under the new fee structure, all intramural league fees, Storm the Wall and Longboat fees, as well as Bird Coop passé, will be reduced, in some cases dramatically. For example a one-semester (four-month) Bird Coop pass currently priced at $148 will be reduced to $25 in September and intramural team rates will be reduced up to 50 per cent.
In addition, user fees for drop-in programs in the new UBC Thunderbird Arena will drop from $5 to $2 with no charge for public skating. User fees for students using the Aquatic centre were eliminated In December.
The new rates will be frozen until at least September 2012.
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