As travel costs rise and funding tightens for student athletes at Western Washington University, a proposed increase to the quarterly services and activities fee could help stabilize both varsity and club sports, despite concerns with increased tuition prices.
S&A fees fund athletics, campus recreation, student government, housing-related organizations and student media at Western. Rather than being set by administrators, the fee and budget allocations are reviewed each year by a student-led S&A Fee Committee that sends it to the Board of Trustees for approval. The committee, made up of representatives from athletics, clubsports, student engagement, residence halls and other student groups, operates to make budget information transparent and accessible.
Club sports have seen the rising costs of the fees firsthand, and now they are being passed along to the student athletes themselves. Patrick Pierson, captain of Western’s hockey team, said player dues rose to about $3,000 per athlete this year as travel, equipment and operational expenses increased.
While this cost is typical for competitive hockey programs outside the university, it has been a significant jump in previous years and reflects the broader funding challenges faced by Western’s club sports.
Despite common perceptions of S&A fees, not all of the funding goes straight to the athletic department. The fee primarily supports club sports through campus recreation funding and covers staff support and travel expenses that allow programs to operate.
“A lot of misconceptions are based on what the money is actually used for and how students benefit,” said Elizabeth Swift, a women's varsity basketball player and the S&A representative for athletics. “Nothing is extra. It is closer to the bare minimum to keep our athletes eligible to compete.”
Rising costs have also been a huge issue for the athletic department, making it increasingly difficult for programs to rely solely on S&A funding. About 30% of the athletics budget is self-generated.
“We’ve definitely felt it,” Pierson said. “Costs are up across the board, and a lot of what used to be supported by the university, like rental cars for travel, is no longer covered.”
Teams are turning to rely more heavily on individual dues, fundraising and ticket sales to cover a 30-game season. The income alone from game sales is high but is not enough to offset other rising expenses.
“With costs rising everywhere, it’d become increasingly difficult to keep pace relying on the S&A funding alone,” said Steve Brummel, co-athletics director at Western. “It puts real pressure on athletic programs.”
Some students have expressed frustration with fee increases and increasing concerns about affordability, but both administrators and student representatives emphasized the broader campus impact of the S&A fee.
“Costs are rising everywhere in our lives,” said Brummel. “The fee increase is meant to help maintain programs on campus and keep Western the university that it is. All the groups involved in this process need funding to continue improving the student experience.”
Brummel and other student leaders emphasized that even a modest increase can have a tangible impact on campus life.
Pierson emphasized that the $25 fee increase directly supports student clubs, which help students form connections, gain skills and make the most of college.
The S&A Fee Committee began meeting earlier this quarter and will continue weekly discussions through the rest of winter and spring quarters, and all are open to students. The committee will make a final recommendation by the end of spring, which will be reviewed and voted on by the Board of Trustees in June.
As athletic programs navigate the rising expenses and the reliance on fundraising, the committee’s decision could shape how varsity and club sports operate in coming years. Student-athletes and administrators alike say the outcome will not only affect competition but the broader campus culture.
“For what it provides, the cost is small compared to the opportunities it creates,” Pierson said.
Caitlin Grygorcewicz (she/her) is a sports and recreation reporter this winter quarter. She is in her second year, majoring in visual journalism, and is returning to The Front for a third time after previously serving as the photo and video editor. In her free time, you can catch her cleaning her camera, climbing rocks and cooking good food. You can reach her at caitlingrygorcewicz.thefront@gmail.com.
