Opinions yes, action ÷ never

Paying extra for things is such a normal part of daily life that hardly anyone seems to question it. And that is fine, so long as hardly anyone complains when the student fees go up.

The Student Affairs fee, Athletics fee and Information Technology fee all could increase by fall semester.

Whether itās token or genuine interest, Metro President Sheila Kaplan says she takes student opinion into account before deciding whether to recommend an increase. She has to make her recommendation by April 20.

The problem? Students, for the most part, donāt weigh in on such matters. Itās just part of being a student.

ćI just figure if I have to pay student fees, I have to pay them,ä Metro sophomore Randy Branaman said.

Jessie Bullock, Metro Student Government Assemblyās vice president of Student Fees, is justifiably frustrated with the lack of student input. She says students tell her they donāt want to pay increases.

Yet when she is present for a panel discussion to gather student opinion, nary a voice is heard.

ćThe problem is people complain, but when we have events like this, no one comes,ä Bullock said.

Granted, the SGA has not been the most stable foundation on which to build student confidence. But it is unlikely that any group of student leaders could draw a response from the Metro population.

Perhaps itās the unique nature of the student body. Unlike typical colleges and universities, Metro draws all ages and all backgrounds. Most students spend minimal time on campus and are detached from intercollegiate events.

Nothing proves that point more than the lack of Metro attendance at the Feb. 25-28 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament at Auraria Events Center. The womenās team won the RMAC title, and the men lost in the semis.

Fox Sports Rocky Mountain thought it was big enough to send former Detroit Piston and Denver Nugget Scott Hastings, sportscaster Tom Green and a television crew. But the crowd was, as usual, barren of Metro fans.

So, while student fees rise, buildings are erected, computers are upgraded and replaced, and the athletics programs flourish, student interest will remain minuscule.

And if the dissenting voices that Bullock and others hear continue to complain but refuse to take action, the administration cannot be blamed for its perceived lack of interest in student opinion.

The students, the ones who complain but do nothing, can only blame themselves.