Beimdiek, a Carthage insurance professional, gave $1 million to the project through the Missouri Southern Foundation. Businessman Robert Plaster also made a seven-figure donation to the foundation, part of which will be used for the recreation center.

The university plans to borrow $14 million to finance construction with student fees used to finance the bonds.

Some students support the fee.

Adam Hancock, a 21-year-old senior and member of the MSSU Student Senate, said students had a voice in the project every step of the way. He said surveys have been conducted and the Student Senate has been active in the development of the recreation center.

“It’s been a major focus of the Student Senate,” Hancock said. “The Student Senate has been behind it 100 percent.”

Hancock also supports the fee. He said even with the addition, student fees at Southern continue to be a bargain. He also said the rec center will be an asset for students.

He also said that while the petition organizers have a right to fight the fee, waiting until construction has begun is late to start protesting.

Eunice Aquino, 19, signed the petition. She said she graduates in December, so she will help pay for the building but will not be able to use it. She said she understands that recent graduates will receive a free membership, but many will move away.

Aquino also said many of the things the recreation center will include already exist on campus.

“It’s just way too much money to spend on what we already have,” Aquino said. “Most of us live on loans and grants.”

Tim Louderback, a 19-year-old freshman from El Dorado Springs, also signed the petition. He said he was opposed to the fee, not the rec center.

“Students, especially freshmen, didn’t really have a say in it,” Louderback said. He said the fees will be a hardship for many, especially those like him using financial aid.

“The extra fees aren’t going to help out,” he said.

Chris Earnest, 20, a sophomore from Mount Vernon, looked on as other students signed the petition. He said he supports the fee. He said the recreation center will be much more convenient for students than anything now available.

“I think it will be well worth it in the end,” Earnest said.