You voted for Pedro, you voted for Barack, and now it’s time to vote for your campus. Elections are just around the corner and measures that affect each and every one of us are on the ballot.
Gathering voters is sometimes an arduous task, and when it comes to taking control of our university’s spending, there are few who actually remember to step up to the plate once elections roll around.
Campus elections, which run from May 18-25, will provide five new measures for students to vote on, ranging from an increase in library hours of operation to a renewable energy fee.
Although we urge everyone to vote, it is important to take some time to figure out where you really want your money to go. We live in a day and age in which there is no such thing as a free education, and every last penny counts.
With total student fees up to $35,000 a year for out-of-state residents, we as students need to take the time to figure out whether we truly want to spend extra time in the library or support sustainable food and wellness.
At running the risk of sounding dramatic, this is the time to decide where our priorities lie in terms of our education.
We should also realize that any measures we pass — or don’t pass — will affect the Slugs below us for generations to come.
Due to pressure from the Student Union Association (SUA) and other campus groups, the voting threshold requires 33 percent of the student body to vote, leaving more space for student votes to actually count.
Any measure without a sunset clause — meaning that it comes with an expiration date — gives students more incentive to watch what they vote for, because it could potentially be around for decades before being amended.
Late-night studying Slugs will enjoy the perks of increased library hours, and other measures can help students stay sustainable.
On the other hand, there are serious concerns with the rising cost of student-approved measures. Should students foot a bill that the state should be paying?
Public education is declining in affordability and attainability, but should the administration expect students to dig even further into their wallets to provide their own services?
So study your measures and know your issues.
Remember that it is your civic duty to vote, and while this may not be for the next commander-in-chief, making and valuing our democratic decisions starts with the campus community. The battle of student fees is raging, and students finally have a chance to make their needs known.
City on a Hill Press wants YOU to vote, and to vote wisely.
