The AUSA Senate approved a $20 hike in the student activity fee to fund the wind energy program at the University of Denver.The fee moves from $70 to $90 per quarter. The student activity fee supports programs on campus such as the RTD pass for all students, Colligate Newspaper Readership Program, cheaper tickets to DU sporting events and student publications.The fee increase is aimed at improving effectiveness of these programs and bringing wind energy to the campus. Students voted in favor of wind energy in a referendum in the spring quarter. President Brian Kelley stressed that the fee hike vote came after much consideration and careful planning. At its recent retreat the Senate spent “considerable time” discussing the activity fee hike and the problems associated with the increase. President Pro-Tempore Andrew Sundet authored the bill which outlines these benefits of wind energy and expanded programs.Sundet said that the purpose of the fee hike is to, “improve the quality of life for students…with Senate sponsored services such as the RTD pass, the readership program, academic affairs and the use of environmentally friendly clean energy.”The fee increase would fund a hike in the price of the RTD pass, and therefore keep this transportation free for all students. This is a benefit that anticipates the completion of the light rail on Buchtel Boulevard in Oct. 2006. In addition, the fee supports and plans to expand the distribution of the Colligate Newspaper Readership Program which offers free newspapers on campus. The wind energy program plans to purchase 15 million kilowatt/hours to provide clean wind energy to power the Driscoll Center, Sturm Hall and the Ritchie Center.DU is the last major university in Colorado to pass such a bill, and 30 percent of the wind power would come from Colorado sources. This change will be effective in the fall of 2006, but needs the DU Board of Trustees approval.In addition to these programs, the fee increase funds the athletic ticket initiative, which makes the purchase of the Pioneer Pass no longer necessary. This would allow every student to attend these sporting events for free. The Senate “recognizes the benefits of improving student involvement and school spirit.” The initiative was created with the intent of “encourag[ing] athletic events, attendance, and enthusiasm by enabling all students to attend athletic events,” the bill said.Although one student present at the meeting felt that the $20 increase “was a slippery slope toward the $344.26 student activity fee that CU-Boulder students pay,” Kelley stressed that the fee has not been changed for quite some time, and will not be changed for some time in the future.