Kim: Up, up, up goes tuition again. This time, they want to give $30 more to athletics. Seems like a lot when you say it that way but in all actuality, it̢۪s not.

The money we pay now is for tickets and scholarships. The increase will help keep those tickets free, those scholar-athletes rolling in and the much-anticipated addition of swimming and diving as well as women̢۪s lacrosse.

Jim: Although I love athletics, I don̢۪t believe a $30 increase in tuition towards athletics is beneficial for the student body as a whole.

It should be pointed out that student tickets for football games, which are the only sporting event students actually attend, are not free.

Free tickets for other sporting events are nice, but a high percentage of the student body doesn’t even utilize this – just look at the attendance numbers for basketball this season.

Kim: Before I go any further I must state that it̢۪s easier for me to feel this way due to the fact that I̢۪m graduating in May.

Just because I̢۪ll be gone doesn̢۪t mean I don̢۪t care. I want to see Fresno State thrive and see students happy in the midst of financially hard times.

The issue comes down to one thing: it̢۪s time for things to be equal between men and women.

Jim: Money for scholarships is great. Equal opportunities in compliance with Title IX is imperative for our school, but to charge the student body extra money for sports they don̢۪t care about is unfair.

Most of the students who go to this school probably do not know, or care, that Fresno State has added two new sports. So why should they have to provide money for them?

The $30 increase may not “break the bank,â€Â but if the money is going towards something that won’t benefit students why make it a part of tuition fees?

Kim: Even though we always frown upon the increase in how much we pay, there are a few positive things to this.

Every other school in the state of California pays more then we do and yet some of our teams, and I mean some, do indeed deserve it.

Jim: Fresno State̢۪s athletic program has made a name for itself competing at a national level with schools that have more resources than they do.

Although our school does not have the funding that many competitors do, Fresno State has made an effort to sell itself as a prestigious program.

Just look at the football program̢۪s recruiting class.

The Bulldogs were named by rivals.com as the top recruiting class in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and were able to sign several three-star (out of five) recruits.

But more funding won̢۪t change much. The top schools will still get the better athletes and still have the better facilities.

Kim: Yes, we complain about the addition of women̢۪s lacrosse, but the athletics department isn̢۪t going to change what̢۪s already decided.

Look at it this way though: we didn̢۪t agree with the Timeout mascot change, but now we̢۪ve gotten used to it.

The addition of lacrosse doesn̢۪t seem to be a smart move but maybe, just maybe, with the money available for scholarships, some super lacrosse players will come to the Central Valley. The more we have to entice with, the more successful this decision might be.

Jim: Scholarships for athletes are always good, but what about other exceptional students on campus?

There could be a very talented trumpet player who wants to get into the music program but can̢۪t afford it, or a student who aspires to be an actor in the John Wright Theatre.

Scholarships shouldn̢۪t always be focused on sports. Money from tuition needs to be distributed evenly.