Few Attend Forum on Activity Fee Increase

This week the Student Association held a rally to promote the mandatory student activity fee. At the end of the month students will have the option of voting to make the fee voluntary and vote on a proposed $10 increase. As SA bypassed the normal procedure for implementing the ballot initiative, which would have involved a public debate, they held this forum in an effort to address questions about the referendum.

This public service rally was attended by just a handful of students. To make a meaningful choice, students must become involved. SA should be applauded for making efforts to inform the student body but must continue the education campaign and include an explanation of where the increases would be going.

Every four years the student body is given a choice about the funding of the mandatory student activity fee. The fee provides a variety of services that benefit the university, most visibly student clubs and SA Entertainment functions. A mandatory fee ensures just under a $2.5 million budget for SA. While it is doubtful that students will nix the mandatory fee, it is an important consideration.

The most contested issue on the ballot is the proposed increase of $10 to the fee, which is currently $69.75. A select group of SA officials that compose the Emergency Powers Council voted, without public debate in the student Senate, to put the $10 increase on the ballot. SA has yet to justify the need for such a large increase.

Because students are already experiencing a raise in the comprehensive fee this semester, and because of recent tuition hikes, students should be given every opportunity to fully explore and decide upon the increase. A detailed list of the programs that would benefit from the increase should be made readily available so that students can decide whether the increase is worthy.

SA has correctly attempted to allow public discussion on the issue and the student body has failed to actively engage. This is despite the fact that last semester many students were decrying the perceived lavish expenses conducted under SA President Anthony Burgio's predecessor, George Pape. The same concerned students should get involved this semester, consider the fee raises, and provide an opposition voice. Control of such inappropriate expenditures only comes through monitoring and public dissent.

So as SA has begun to meet obligations to the students they represent by offering this forum, they should also detail any tentative plans for the increase. Students are at fault for not using this chance to gain knowledge about how their own, often-scarce money will be spent. This is truly an instance where the old adage "You can't complain if you don't vote" is appropriate.