Assume the Division of Recreational Sports at UW-Madison has just completed a master planning study of its programs and facilities. In order to move most of the recommendations forward that have come out of the plan, a significant increase in funding will be necessary. Please prepare up to a 15-minute presentation for the Committee that highlights how you, as Director of Recreational Sports, would make the general case for increased funding that would come from any (or all) of the following sources: student segregated fees, operating income, general purpose revenue from the State of Wisconsin (requiring legislative support), and/or private gifts. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” -Robert Frost

Diverging Paths for University of Wisconsin Overall State Challenges: State wide financial needs. Unemployment and growing job development. Fed Reserve Bank, April 2013: National student loan debt is now the second highest debt category in US; surpassed only by mortagage debt. University of Wisconsin Challenges: Less State support every year. No endowment to support financial aid for students who are in need. Possible tuition freeze for 2-4 years.

National Research Highlights Need: The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 1, 2005: “Exploring the Bicycle-Brain Connection: How Exercise Boosts Cognitive Function,” by Kevin Helliker Newsweek, March 28, 2007: “Health For Life: Exercise and the Brain,” front cover, lead story. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, 2008, by John Ratey, MD, with Eric Hagerman. “…long I stood and looked down one as far as I could”

Financial Option 1: Capital Campaign Become prioritized on the Chancellor’s capital campaign list. Will take several years to complete this campaign. Priorities are adjusted throughout the campaign There are high priority needs now just so Recreational Sports facilities/programs can continue to be useable on a daily basis – money is still going to be spent. Construction pricing rises annually, so what could be done now will cost more every single year we wait. The Long and Winding Road – UW Capital Campaign

Financial Option 2: Student Segregated Fee Feb. 6, “SAC to undergo major renovation,” Badger Herald. Feb. 11, “Segregated fees to fund sports facility overhaul,” The Badger Herald. Feb. 19, “Rec Sports requests $2 million budget to restore facilities,” Badger Herald. Feb. 26, “SSFC adopts increased budget for Rec Sports,” Badger Herald. March 1, “Wisconsin Union representatives ask for seg fee increase,” The Badger Herald. March 7, “SSFC adopts more than $10 million Wisconsin Union budget,” The Badger Herald. “I took the one less traveled by…”

The Road Less Traveled – Vision for a Future Indiana University Oklahoma State The Ohio State University of Iowa University of Houston

Penn State News: “Students endorse funding for Intramural Building addition and renovations.” -March 15, 2013

Purdue University Recreational Sports Renovation: Student fee supported.

Who are the Wisconsin Visionaries? Prioritize $1/month for 40 years – Be an Alumni Visionary Group. Photo by Daniella M. Echeverria

Why should we be visionaries? “I took the one less traveled by, And it has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost