JOSH RANNEY
News Editor
Two years after the last student activity fee referendum, the students of Fredonia voted again to determine if they wanted the activity fee to be voluntarily paid or continue to be mandatory.
After the two-day referendum vote on Nov. 13 and 14, along with the SA presidential election, the students elected to keep the fee mandatory.
The final tally had almost ¾ of students choosing to keep the fee the way it is, by a vote of 587-200.
The mandatory fee ensures that all students pay into the student activity fee and therefore contribute to the overall Student Association budget.
From there, the Student Association allocates the funds to student groups, programs and services that benefit the student experience.
All Student Association clubs, from Spectrum to club sports to campus media utilize the activity fee.
A major service that is funded by the students is the campus community bus.
The bus take students around the Fredonia- Dunkirk area so they can do shopping or relaxing at stores or restaurants, or commute between their off-campus housing and classes.
Before the vote, SA President Connor Aitcheson said that having the fee go voluntary could really impact the student experience.
Had the referendum turned up voluntary, there would be no guarantee that the right amount of funds for campus groups, programs and services would be there.
This would have likely resulted in slashing club budgets. But this is something that SA executives are happy to avoid with the student’s decision.
SUNY enacted the policy entitled “Student Activity Fees” in 2004 which requires that a referendum be held every two years to determine the status of the activity fee for each university.
Since the 2004 implementation, Fredonia has continuously voted to keep the Student Activity Fee mandatory.
Aitcheson said earlier this month that to his knowledge, the activity fee at Fredonia has never been voluntary, and that streak continues with this vote.
The allocation of the budget for larger constituted groups will take place next semester.