A proposed mandatory student athletic fee at the University of Hawai'i is "dead" for at least the fall semester, parties involved said yesterday.

The athletic department had proposed a $50 fee per student and hoped to have it implemented in time for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 24.

But athletic director Jim Donovan yesterday acknowledged, "I think it is not going to happen for the fall."

Mark K. Ing, president of the Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i, which has opposed the fee, said campus officials have told him the issue would not happen "in the fall and probably not even in the spring."

According to a Western Athletic Conference survey, UH will thus continue as the only school in the nine-member league without such a fee. According to the survey, full-time students at WAC institutions pay a $24 to $119.40 fee per semester.

Implementation of a mandatory fee at UH would require approval by the Manoa Chancellor, UH President and Board of Regents. The matter current rests with Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw.

As recently as last month campus officials had held out the possibility the issue could be placed before the regents in time to be acted upon for the fall semester.

But yesterday Donovan said, "it won't be implemented in time for the fall. That is the reality. I think a student fee is reasonable and needed. And, we will keep working in that direction."

Ing said: "Right now, we're completely against (the fee)." He said an ASUH survey showed 70 percent opposition by students.

In exchange for fees, the athletic department has proposed vastly increased seating for UH students at its events. In football, for example, students would have up to 5,000 seats at their disposal at Aloha Stadium.

The athletic department projects it could realize $2 million annually from the implementation of a fee, helping to balance its annual budget. Donovan said the athletic department expects to finish the current fiscal year with a $2.5 million to $2.75 million deficit. It has a $4.5 million accumulated deficit built up over the past five years.

According to the WAC survey, league schools realize $232,549 to $4.7 million from student fees.

Last year, students at WAC member Fresno State voted down an increase in athletics fees but President John Welty still imposed a fee. Students at another WAC member, Utah State, recently voted to raise their fees to $243 from $113 to aid in covering a $2.3 million deficit, the New York Times reported.

Meanwhile students at several other schools have voted down either the implementation of fees or hikes. More than 50 Division I schools currently have student athletic fees.