The rising costs of scholarships because of increases in tuition and other miscellaneous items were the reasons presented for a 27-cent per credit hour athletic fee increase.

The presentation was done at Wednesday’s President’s Fee Study Committee meeting. Eddie Williams, vice president of Finance and Planning, controlled most of the 50-minute discussion, which predominantly dealt with increase justification.

Joy Pauschke, associate dean for the College of Engineering, and Student Association President Robert McCormack both played active roles in the questioning of Williams.

Pauschke inquired why grant-in-aid adjustments and cost-of-living considerations were itemized separately in Williams’ case and why estimates show a deficit in the budget for Fiscal Year 1993.

“Cost of living doesn’t account for increases in travel, equipment, hotel and other separate expenses,” Williams said.

About the listed deficit, Williams said he uses “a conservative estimate.” He took the example of NIU’s television contract, which expires in 1992, saying he “doesn’t want to guess on the terms of the new contract,” which could actually be profitable for NIU in 1993.

McCormack wanted elaboration about exactly what athletic expenses Bond Revenue will cover after this year. He repeatedly asked if this meant “the complete phasing-out of Bond Revenue contributions.”

Patricia Perkins, assistant to the vice president of Finance and Planning, answered McCormack saying “certain janitorial things and overall building maintenance” will still be handled with Bond Revenue funds.

Williams said the Bond Revenue Department had asked the Athletic Department to absorb more costs, and that this has been accomplished except for facility maintenance, which falls under Bond Revenue jurisdiction.

The 27-cent request is supposed to offset an expected 5 percent tuition increase, 8.6 percent room and board increase and a 12.8 percent increase in other fees, including athletic health insurance.

At the close of the meeting, a separate session to review a presentation from Bond Revenue was requested by McCormack and the rest of the SA contingent. A date has yet to be set.