Examining the University Bill
Student journalists at Kent State University went after something they wouldn't have to if universities were more transparent in their billing, a breakdown of student fee charges.
Why aren't universities providing line-item charges so students and parents can see where the money is going?
Video overview & interviews
Of the MAC-conference schools interviewed (and willing to respond), listen to the recorded conversations in regards to student fees and athletics.
- John Day
Associate Provost for Academic Budget & Planning
(Ohio University) - Dale Hinrichs
Controller
(Miami University) - Gregg Floyd
VP of Finance & Administration
(Kent State University) - Eric Roedl
Senior Associate Athletic Director
(Temple University) - Kent State Scholarships
Lisa Gulasy & Amanda Morrow
(Kent TV2) - Examining the University Bill
Karl Idsvoog
(Kent State University)
% of Athletic Budget from Student Fees
The following information displays the breakdown of MAC-conference athletic budgets in terms of student fees.
| University | Total Athletic Budget | $ Athletic Budget from Fees | % of Athletic Budget from Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio U | $18,246,666 | $14,846,089 | 81% |
| Akron | $22,994,889 | $18,000,000 | 78% |
| Miami of OH | $21,818,413 | $14,647,373 | 67% |
| Kent State | $19,509,429 | $12,151,130 | 62% |
| BGSU | $15,386,300 | $10,876,604 | 61% |
| Ball State | $17,346,000 | $9,498,000 | 55% |
| Buffalo | $20,700,000 | $7,400,000 | 36% |
| W. Michigan | $19,195,502 | $0 | 0% |
| C. Michigan | $24,441,732 | $0 | 0% |
| E. Michigan | $10,165,284 | ||
| Temple | $27,052,267 | REFUSED | REFUSED |
| Toledo | $18,539,903 | REFUSED | REFUSED |
| N. Illinois | $17,288,462 | REFUSED | REFUSED |
% of Student Fees Paid to Athletics
The following information displays the breakdown of MAC-conference student fees and the percentage paid to athletics.
| University | Total Fees | Athletic Fees | Athletic Fees (per credit) |
% of Fees paid to Athletics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami of OH | $789 | $454 | $41.24 | 57% |
| BGSU | $684 | $286 | $23.86 | 48% |
| Ohio U | $531 | $253 | $48.27 | 48% |
| Kent State | $731 | $271 | $24.65 | 37% |
| Akron | $1,384 | $385 | $32.05 | 28% |
| N. Illinois | $946 | $227 | $18.88 | 24% |
| Buffalo | $988 | $237 | $19.75 | 24% |
| E. Michigan | $20/credit | 7-12% of $20/credit | $1.40-$2.40 | 7-12% |
| Ball State | $204 | $17.03 | 5% | |
| W. Michigan | $412 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| C. Michigan | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Temple | $295 | REFUSED | REFUSED | REFUSED |
| Toledo | $595 | REFUSED | REFUSED | REFUSED |
Athletic Fees a Line-Item on Tuition Bill?
Of the MAC-conference schools interviewed (and willing to respond), only the University at Buffalo displays athletic fees as a line-item on tuition bills.
Poll: Student Fees & Ethics
We are interested to hear what you think. Please respond to the poll below.
Distance Learning Students & FEEs
Of the MAC-conference schools interviewed (and willing to respond), 50% of schools require online students to pay the same fees as on-campus students.
Comments (via Facebook)
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Academic Students Supporting AthleticsFinancially
What is your money funding at Ohio MAC universities?
Mid-American Conference university students across Ohio are paying millions of dollars to fund athletics, and chances are they're not aware of it because there's no indication of those charges on the student bill ..
Academic Students Supporting Athletics Financially
Out of the thirteen Mid-American Conference schools that have a football program, not a single one actually turns a profit ..
Mid-American Conference Students Pay Large Amounts of Money to Fund Athletics
Imagine going to dinner at a nice steakhouse with a group of friends and when it comes time to pay your $531 bill, you are handed a receipt with only a single number on it; the total you owe ..
Concealed Costs and Fees at MAC Universities
Parents and students may be surprised at what MAC universities aren't providing them.
At Kent State University student bills do not provide
line-item breakdowns of fees charged ..
Acedemic students fund MAC Universities' Athletic Departments
Academic students enrolled in a MAC (Mid-American Conference) university help fund the Athletic Department, but are not aware of it because the schools don't provide this information on the students' bill.
M.A.C. Athletics: A "Black Hole" for the Whole Conference
There are 13 schools in the Mid-American Conference. Six MAC schools have athletic department budgets that are over 50% students' fees ..
Blinded by the Bill
The un-mentioned usage of student fees for college athletic budgets
Students and parents across Ohio are unknowingly paying millions of dollars to their college athletic departments ..
Unaware College Students Funding University Athletic Departments
Mid-American Conference (MAC) students are paying to fund university athletic departments, but many students probably don't know that because there is no indication of that charge on the student's bill-some aren't even aware of it ..
ACADEMIC STUDENTS PAY FOR THE ATHLETES
Academic students in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) are paying millions of dollars to their athletic departments, but many probably aren't aware of that because in most cases, there's no indication of that charge on the student's bill ..
The Bill the University doesn't want you to see?
Students pay fees, but may not know where that money goes
When people go eat at a restaurant, the waiter brings an itemized bill, which lists everything purchased ..