UAB Students Begin Voting On Fees To Support Football

UAB students begin voting on Tuesday regarding a resolution that would raise semester fees $25 to further support the return of the football, bowling, and rifle programs.

Rough estimates suggest that the rise in fees could bring in an additional $700,000 per year.

"It's us saying this is our contribution, " student leader Courtney Campbell said. "So far, it's just been protests and showing up for things. That's important, but this is concrete."

A pep rally to support the vote was set for Monday night, but rain chances scared many students away.

"(The pep rally) was just to get everyone excited about what we have to come," former football player Timothy Alexander said. "We're about to make history."

Alexander also has a message for any doubters that will resist voting yes.

"Let;s think about why you came to college. You didn't just come to college for a great education. You came to college for a college experience along with a great education. What happened to our football, bowling, and rifle teams is something that hasn't happened to anyone else. But it happened to UAB and we fought to bring it back. Now the students have the opportunity to end the deal so we'll never have to talk about this again," he said.

Voting can be accessed online or through physical polling stations throughout campus. Voting runs from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.