The Panther

Issue date: 10/5/05 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Marques Allen Don Byars, associate provost for enrollment management, addresses students at Tuesday night´s forum.

The Student Government Association hosted a Student Body Forum on Tuesday Oct. 4 in the A.I building. "I'm the voice for the students. I did this so you all (students) could voice your opinions. This is your university," said Student Government Association President Oludayo Olusanya.

Don Byars was present on behalf of financial aid where he addressed the implementation of a new financial aid system, as well as a new staff. "We had to implement a new financial aid system, where usually we have 12-18 months; we only had six months to implement the new system. Recently, Aug. 15, Tracy Matthews was brought in and she will be addressing her staff as well as the new system," he continued.

Byars mentioned that in the near future there would be more forums solely for financial aid. "We are very serious about financial aid. We are working hard around the clock. We have some major issues to overcome," Byars concluded.

Athletic Director Charles McClelland addressed the issue of the student athletic fee. "We initially had three initiatives for implementing a student athletic fee: to increase athletic scholarships, to renovate facilities, and to renovate the football stadium."

McClelland mentioned that a "$150 athletic fee is equivalent to a season pass."

Texas Southern University administration can afford to buy some student tickets and give them to a select group of students, as well as pay a portion of the student price for the general population of students; Prairie View cannot afford to do so.

McClelland explained that the purpose of the student athletic fee was to "raise the overall competitiveness of the athletic program," which has been accomplished.

Mary Lee Hodge, the vice president of business affairs, addressed tuition and fees. The major concern of students present was the recent increase of tuition.

"The speakers were very adequate with their answers and they were well informed on their topics," stated sophomore communications major Matthew Nelson.

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