Santa Rosa Junior College’s Associated Students and Board of Trustees are holding a special election for the student center fee referendum. Students will be able to vote from Monday, Nov. 15 at 12:01 a.m. to Friday, Nov. 19 at 11:59 p.m. The Student Senate arranged for polling booths at both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses, but students can also vote through their myCubby accounts.
If approved, the referendum will authorize a student center fee of $1.00 per unit, with a limit of $10.00 per student for one year. The fee will support the operations, activities and services of the student centers at both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma Campuses. If approved by the students, the initiative will then be considered by the Board of Trustees. The fee requirement will not apply to students enrolled in non-credit classes, those enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program, the General Assistance Program and/or those who qualify for the FAFSA/BOG. This means 12,000 students would not be required to pay the fee.
If the referendum is approved, all decisions regarding how the fee collection is spent, will be made by the Associated Students Senate.
California Education Code section 76375 states how much each community college is allowed to charge their students for the upkeep of each school’s student center. The fees SRJC collects can only be used to maintain, construct or remodel the Bertolini Center. If more money is collected from the fee than what it costs to maintain the Bertolini Center, the money has to be deposited in a bank account for future use.
The code requires 20 percent of students enrolled in unit classes to vote in the special election and for two-thirds votes in agreement. If this does not take place, the election will be deemed invalid. Historically, average student participation was between one and five percent. The fee was on the ballot earlier this year but did not receive enough votes to pass it.
“Because of the increased student participation that is required in this election, the Student Senate has requested that staff and faculty assist in the effort to increase student awareness about the election,” Election Coordinator Jude Rowe said. “Informing students that the election is taking place can play a critical role in this effort.”
Students who wish to find out more about the election process or the Student Center Fee can do so by visiting the Associated Students election web site http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/as/elections/ or visiting the campus Student Affairs Office. Information tables will be present on campus during the election.
