While Sacramento State plans to raise student fees to constructa recreational building, strong opposition brews among theuniversity’s student government body.

“It’s a $220 (per year) fee increase whenwe’re fighting to save outreach right now,” said JoshuaWood, Associated Students, Inc. vice president of UniversityAffairs.

Wood said the Sac State Foundation is not paying for the cost ofbuilding the Recreation Wellness and Event Center but will beprofiting from it.

The outreach programs, which are intended to help economicallychallenged students with their academic success, are facing severebudget cuts. Meanwhile, the university is planning on investingmillions of dollars into a recreation building with an arena,indoor pool and a cinema.

In a memorandum dated March 15, 2004, Sac State PresidentAlexander Gonzalez openly expressed his strong support for the RWECwriting, “I look forward to working with you (Molly Slayter,chairwoman of the University Union board of directors) and otherswho have been involved in the developing the Wellness RecreationEvent Center project.”

On April 27-28, five voting stations will be set up on campus toallow students to vote for ASI leadership, as well as for oragainst the RWEC.

According to the RWEC’s home Web site, the university willcontribute $27 million through fundraising and leasing of space. Astaff and faculty fundraising campaign will also contribute to theproject. The University Union and Student Health Center will beamong the first to contribute. The $220 per year increase will nottake place until the university has raised $25 million towards theRWEC project, which will probably take place between 2006 and2007.

If the RWEC is approved through the student vote, student feeswill increase $10 per semester starting this fall. The feeincreases would provide funding for the planning, design,construction and operation costs.

“I am opposed to any student fee increases that will beimposed on students especially during a time of economiccrisis,” said Angel Barajas, ASI director of social sciencesand interdisciplinary studies.

The RWEC building is set to be divided into three main sections.The Recreation Center will contain an indoor pool, 6-lane bowlingalley, childcare, fitness center, racquetball courts and a movietheater. The Event Center will hold a 19,000 square foot arena thatwill seat an audience of 8,000. Various athletic offices, storageand locker rooms will also be a part of the Event Center. TheWellness Center will serve medical purposes and will have nurseclinics, dental and optical programs and a pharmacy.

“I don’t feel a $220 increase per year is the bestway to spend students’ money,” said Luke Wood, ASIchief financial officer.

He felt that spending millions of dollars on a recreationbuilding was a bad idea “when we are facing cuts to ouroutreach programs and tuition fees are increasing.”

Luke Wood said similar projects have been placed on studentballots twice before. The projects were voted down both times.

The RWEC is expected to open in 2008.