Students at the University of North Texas voted to add for the first time ever a dedicated athletic fee to help fund a new football stadium and entertainment venue, according to referendum results released today by the Student Government Association.

The official results of this week’s referendum, which was held Oct. 13-17, show that 2,829 (58.1 percent) students voted in favor of the athletic fee while 2,038 (41.9 percent) students voted against the fee. A total of 4,867 (13.9 percent of the student body) students voted in the election that also included races for SGA senators and the UNT Homecoming court.

"I believe the student’s voice was heard and it shows that we care about the future of this university. We understand that this vote was not just about the stadium. It was about our university's future and our experience as students and alumni, because having a new stadium and entertainment venue will enhance our entire college experience," said Jeff Kline, student body president. "The students have made an investment in this university by voting yes; we now challenge the alumni of UNT to support their alma mater as well."

The new $10 per credit hour fee will cap at 15 semester credit hours and will not be implemented until the stadium is complete, which is expected to be in the fall of 2011."

Currently, the student body dedicates $3 per semester credit hour of the Student Service Fee to support athletics each semester. When the new athletic fee is implemented, the Student Service Fee will be reduced by $3, so no more than $105 of the $150 maximum athletic fee will be a new cost to students once the stadium opens.

“Our student body clearly supports continued expansion and improvement of UNT Athletics. They also understand that a strong athletics program is key to a vibrant alumni community and the continued growth of UNT’s image,” President Gretchen M. Bataille said. “This fee, which will help us build a new stadium and entertainment venue, will ensure that our athletics program will be able to match the quality of our academic and research programs."