Student Association President Anthony Burgio and his executive board held a referendum rally in the Student Union Wednesday as a part of SA's campaign to inform students about the upcoming vote on the Mandatory Student Activity Fee.
The undergraduate government's activity fee must be voted on every four years, as per SUNY guidelines. This year, Burgio proposed a $10 increase that would bring the total fee to $79.75 per semester, which would increase SA's total budget by $300,000 to $2.7 million.
According to SA Treasurer Jessica Dangler, half of the proposed increase would go towards meeting the rising cost of services while the other half would go towards expanding the services and entertainment provided by SA.
"We don't yet know where that money will go, but the E-board will make a recommendation to the Senate, which will then in turn determine the allocation of the funds," Dangler said.
Under 20 students attended the rally. After the E-board members spoke, some students asked questions of the E-board, including SA members in white shirts.
Among the students who attended was Tim Tesoriero, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, who said he supports the proposed increase.
"I think that the $10 increase is a good thing and that the fee should be kept mandatory," he said. "SA has lots of stuff to offer the students here at UB, and I want to see that increase put to good use and spent on expanding the services and activities that SA offers."
Duncan Stanley, a junior political science and communication major, spoke out at the rally against the fee increase.
"I'm opposed to the increase, because last year, when Burgio was treasurer of SA, SA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on 'staff development' and frivolous things like birthday parties, Perry Ellis polo shirts, and frequent junkets to places like San Diego and Florida," Duncan said. "Yes, it's a tragedy that SA ran out of emergency funds so clubs can't take the trips they want to, but the money went to places like the SUNY delegates beach condos in San Diego."
Other students, like Matt Paluch, a sophomore business major, said they favor keeping the fee mandatory but don't support the increase.
"Honestly, who's going to pay the fee if it's voluntary? I'd be one of the people who doesn't pay the fee but goes to all of the events," Paluch said. "I think it should be mandatory, but without an increase. SA does great stuff, but do they really need more money? I just don't see it as necessary."
Both Burgio and Dangler stressed the need to increase the fee in order to deal with rising costs.
"The current budget can't handle the growth of this organization," Burgio said. "We need increased funding to clubs, entertainment, and the development of bigger and better clubs on campus. Plus, this is the only opportunity in the next four years to increase the activity fee and, in turn, increase the budget."
Dangler also expressed concern as to what might happen if the fee becomes voluntary.
"If this doesn't pass, there will be no more free activities, clubs would lose their funding, and a good bulk of the money in the SA treasury would be completely gone," she said.
Burgio echoed Dangler's concerns.
"The loss of the Mandatory Student Activity Fee would jeopardize clubs, Sub-Board, Fall Fest -- pretty much everything," he said. "The biggest loss, though, would be the loss of the student voice. SA won't have enough money to promote the student government or its issues. Essentially, the students would lose their voice on campus."
Burgio said he is confident, though, that the fee will remain mandatory, which means his primary concern is the proposed increase.
"You really do get what you pay for, and this increase will only benefit the student body," he said.
Kyle Fisher, a sophomore computer engineering major, said he is happy with what he gets from SA, which is why he'll be voting in favor of the increase later this month.
"The fee is great for stuff like Fall Fest and football games, because it keeps it all free for students," said Kyle Fisher, a sophomore computer engineering major. "At my brother's school, they have to pay for everything, so we're pretty lucky.
The referendum will be held Sept. 27 through Sept. 29, during the SA Senate elections.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
