Progress of fee hikes called into question

It’s been three years since students approved the SAFE referendum, a proposal to annually increase the Ackerman Student Union Fee, and although officials said progress has been made on several of the referendum’s projects, some students question the visibility of the results.

The SAFE referendum passed in spring 2005 and has increased student union fees by several dollars per year. It was designed to fund Associated Students UCLA construction projects, increase student wages, and create more meeting space for student groups.

Before the referendum was passed, the student union fees were $7.50 per person. It was designed to increase student union fees for a period of five years and to cap at $55 in 2009, with adjustment for inflation in subsequent years. For the 2007-2008 year, the fee is $31.50.

Bob Williams, the executive director of ASUCLA, said the SAFE referendum has been essential in maintaining the financial stability of the association while funding new projects and increasing student wages.

The language in the referendum called for the construction of a South Campus Student Center to replace the Bombshelter, a renewed Ackerman A-level food space, a new healthy foods restaurant, additional funding for programming and meeting spaces, and a 50-cent-per-hour wage increase for ASUCLA student employees.

Williams said the 50-cent-per-hour wage raise was instituted immediately in 2005 and added that student wages have further increased since then because of the referendum.

Despite the fact that student union fees will have increased $48 from their 2005 rate by 2009-2010, Williams said that UCLA has “just about” the lowest such fee in the UC system. A comparable student union fee at UC San Diego is $43.35 for the 2007-2008 year, according to the university Web site.

“We give back to our students whenever we can, so you can count on additional savings and new programs next year,” he said.

But some students are upset about the fee increases despite their contribution toward capital projects.

Michael Niktaris, a second-year music student, said that the student fees are a “true travesty.”

“For every dollar they take out of my pocket, one less dollar goes to students’ real needs, like financial aid,” Niktaris said.

Gregory Cendana, the campaign manager for Students First!, said he respected the students’ decision to pass the referendum but added that he wanted to see the board of directors make more effort to communicate to students about where the funds are going.

He also said that profits from ASUCLA sales could take a larger role in funding the capital projects.

Dave Karlik, the chairman of the students’ association board of directors, said funds from the referendum have gone on to support the addition of Jamba Juice on the A-level of Ackerman Union, the “Untitled” cafe at the Broad Arts buildings and the healthy foods restaurant, Greenhouse, on the first floor of Ackerman.

The renewed Ackerman A-level food space is currently under construction at a cost of $3.5 million, said Williams.

He said the first phase ““ the addition and expansion of the Taco Bell ““ has been completed, but the new Cooperage facility is still in the works. The new facility will include a coffee area, a stage, a computer-gaming operation and a burger restaurant.

Construction has not yet been started on the South Campus Student Center, but Williams said ASUCLA is contributing $8.5 million to the center, with the other half of the budget covered by the university.

Jared Fox, a graduate representative on the board of directors, was the president of the Graduate Students Association during the passage of the SAFE referendum. He said most graduate and undergraduate student government members supported the referendum because it funded important priorities on campus.

“Increasing funding for student activities, adding space for student groups, upgrading food facilities and increasing wages for our 1,200 student workers are well worth the cost,” Fox said.

Karlik said the referendum has ensured the financial security of ASUCLA and as a result is important to students.

“In my mind, one of the principle benefits of the association’s financial security is the preservation of … the association’s commitment to remain a student-needs-focused organization,” he said.

Besides the South Campus Student Center, Karlik said the referendum funds would go toward an eventual remodel of the North Campus Student Center and Lu Valle Commons. He added that the funds also go toward the daily maintenance of the existing facilities.

At a smaller level, the funds have gone toward giveaways, price reductions and sustainability efforts, Karlik said. Williams said the board of directors has implemented programs such as Book Bucks and ASUCLA Benefits U so students can save money.

In addition, the board of directors voted last week to spend $78,000 to expand student group meeting space on the third level of Ackerman Union.

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