The University of Hawaii athletic department said it is seeking to raise the student-athletic fee to help reach its goal of a balanced budget by 2020.

Athletic director David Matlin told the Board of Regents Wednesday that revenues from student fees are an area where UH lags significantly behind peer institutions.

UH said it receives $1,563,721 in annual student-athletic fees compared with an average of $3.97 million by peer institutions.

Manoa students currently pay a $50 fee each semester. In return they receive admission to athletic events.

Earlier this year students at UC San Diego voted to raise their athletic fee from $129 per quarter to $289 over a three-year period to help finance a move to Division I and underwrite a bid to join the Big West Conference, where UH competes in most sports.

Several Kapiolani Community College students in attendance at the meeting Wednesday suggested that community college students in the UH system be offered a proposal similar to that of Manoa as a way to build a sense of community among the campuses. No amounts were offered.

Last year UH presented a plan calling for a gradual escalation of the fee to $100 a semester by 2020 for the Manoa campus. But Wednesday Matlin said, “We’ve kind of scrapped that (plan). We want to have a discussion with (student groups) and get their thoughts on what we can do and, also, see what benefits we can add to make it more attractive.”

Several surveys in the past by Manoa student groups have shown opposition to athletic fees. Matlin acknowledged, “I think, in essence, nobody votes to tax themselves. That is probably the biggest challenge.”

But the KCC students said their survey suggested interest among the students sampled. Christina Gray, a KCC student, said, “I don’t think there is going to be as much resistance as some (expect). I think the benefits far out-weigh (minuses).”

Regent Jeff Portnoy said, “Maybe we should have you talk to the Manoa students.”

But student regent Brandon Marc Higa counseled the group to work through their Student Congress, the governing body of the associated students of KCC. “I would encourage you to reach out to them and show them the value of their participation.”

Higa said “Their concern, what they shared with me and I’m sure they shared with you, is that there isn’t an option to opt out of of fees.”