EDITORIAL BOARD Editor in Chief Timothy Kudo
Managing Editor
Michael Falcone
Viewpoint Editor
Cuauhtemoc Ortega
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Edward Chiao
Kelly Rayburn
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Maegan Carberry
Edward Chiao
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When students log onto their MyUCLA pages over the next day and a half, the first thing they should do is vote “yes” on the Undergraduate Student Association Council programming referendum. The referendum, which will increase mandatory student fees by $8.50 per quarter next year, will enable USAC to greatly expand its programming to benefit the UCLA community.
Only 21 percent of students voted in this year’s USAC election – if voter turnout for this referendum is any lower, it will never get off the ground. At least 20 percent of students must vote on any referendum for it to come into effect. This would be devastating to a council already hamstringed by a $30,000 cut to its discretionary funds next year. Moreover, a strong turnout will encourage USAC to support online elections, which would likely further increase voter turnout. Unlike the potentially large student fee increase being considered by UC administrators to compensate for budget shortfalls, the money raised by the referendum will go directly back to the students and requires student approval. If students want to pay more to increase the quality of life at the university, which this referendum will do, they should by all means be able to. Because this referendum offers such direct benefits to students, Chancellor Carnesale should consider waiving the 20 percent voter turnout clause if it garners a majority of affirmative votes from the students who do take part. So, log on to your MyUCLA page and vote to maintain and improve student programming.