Graduate students, who recently asked for their $1 ASA fee back after feeling underrepresented, say they would be willing to pay $25-30 to support campus programming.
Jani Radebaugh, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council and member of the Collaboration Board, said she was surprised to see graduate students' support of the fee.
"I wasn't really expecting graduate students to be interested, but they seem to want to participate in activities, which is great," Radebaugh said.
The amount is a little steep, but not if the concerts and speakers are really good, said David Whitehouse, an MBA graduate student.
"I'd like to see a band like The Samples or anyone that's not local," he said.
According to Radebaugh, in addition to focusing on schoolwork, graduates also have trouble meeting other students.
"The fee would help to bring grad students together to feel like they were a part of the whole university experience," she said. "It would help them get to know other students from different departments.
Marc Barrow, an MBA graduate student, suggested that job fairs and other recruitment seminars be included in the activity fee as a way to get grad students together.
"I would participate in graduate student events," Barrow said. "I'd also like to see any kind of popular concerts or speakers."
The approval of the activity fee depends on student support and ASUA senate support, said Greg Billings, president of the University Activities Board.
If approved, the fee would go on the ASUA elections ballot next month.
"We are trying to target the broadest range of students to see what they want the activity fee money to go towards," Billings said.
Activities such as big-name concerts and speakers will hopefully attract all students, said Radebaugh.
"We are also proposing activities that will be exclusive to grad students to get them together socially," she said.
The idea of big concerts and high-profile political figures coming to the UA is a good idea, said Andrew Prindle, a second-year medical student.
"But I wouldn't be caught dead at a graduate student movie night or any grad student-only event," he said.
The Collaboration Board is still looking at exactly how the money is going to be administered so it benefits every student, Radebaugh said.
"If none of the activities are interesting to a student, they will definitely be able to get their money back," she said.