After one attempt where it failed to reach minimum turnout, and
after a summer of tweaking, a student fee referendum designed to
increase funding to student government and programming is well on
its way.
The Undergraduate Students Association Council approved the
language of an item Tuesday that would increase the quarterly fee
it collects from students to $33.34.
But Chancellor Albert Carnesale must first approve the
referendum’s language before it goes on an online ballot
during fifth week.
An online election was held for a similar item in the spring but
failed to meet the minimum 10 percent voter turnout required for it
to pass.
The referendum comes at a time where USAC is dealing with
roughly $30,000 less in programming funds this year as a result of
increased overhead costs. Most student groups who received base
funding from council last year got significantly less money this
year, though a few groups received increases.
“(The referendum) is extremely important because USAC is
teetering on the brink of financial despair,” said President
David Dahle.
“None of the offices have enough money to adequately
program and advocate on behalf of students,” he
continued.
If the referendum passes, it could raise more than $200,000 for
the council offices and student groups affiliated with USAC, along
with all other groups registered with the Center for Student
Programming.
Three dollars of the proposed $9.25 increase would go toward
USAC offices and their sponsored groups, and another dollar would
be added to a general programming fund from which all student
groups can apply for funding.
“It’s really important because it affects every
group on campus,” said Ryan Wilson, USAC campus events
commissioner. “
The remainder of the increase would be divided among five
council offices and commissions and the Community Activities
Committee.
Wilson said the campus events commission has not received an
increase in funding since 1985 and has had to struggle with
inflation and general increased costs in the last 17 years.
He added that the costs of accommodating artists and their
parking, advertising and programming accumulate quickly and hamper
his office’s ability to expand entertainment as much as he
would like.
“We want to be able to see the higher caliber names and
artists that students expect to see in the heart of Los
Angeles,” Wilson said.
External Vice President Chris Neal said his office needs
increased funding to pay for the extensive traveling he and his
staff conduct on a regular basis to lobby for student issues such
as preventing tuition hikes and providing affordable student
housing.
Since the beginning of the summer, Neal has visited every
University of California campus, and makes frequent trips to
Sacramento and Washington, D.C. as a member of the UC Student
Association and the U.S. Student Association, which is comprised of
universities on the state and national level.
“We’re also providing opportunities for students
interested in (attending these events) themselves,” Neal
said.
Generally, councilmembers say they have been operating on a
insufficient budget for years, and now is the time to make a
change.
“We haven’t had a fee increase to address the needs
of student government in a really long time,” Dahle said.