Missouri State students OK $23 million rec center

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State University students have approved a $23 million student recreation center on campus, even though it will mean higher fees.

In weeklong voting tied to the school's homecoming, 2,717 students voted for the center, and 2,104 voted against, student body president Sean Cain.

"Finally, the university is going to have something that the students can call their own in terms of a (recreation) center. I couldn't be more pleased," Cain said.

Construction of the new center will require students to pay a graduated student fee. Next fall, students will pay a $30 per semester fee, with the fee increasing to $80 for fall and spring semesters and $45 for summer semester by the time the center opens in 2010.

Those students who pay the fee before the center opens will be given credit to use the center once it opens.

The university's Board of Governors will have to officially approve the fee increase.

Currently, recreation facilities and equipment are scattered through six areas on campus.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com