Student Association to hold biannual referendum Mar. 22-24

Between Mar. 22 and Mar. 24, the Student Association (SA) will hold its biannual referendum vote, which determines whether or not the mandatory activity fee remains “mandatory.” Given how many expenses go into a college education, many students feel wary about what they allocate their money to. Junior English major Ralph Velasquez, the current SA Vice President, implores you to consider saying “yes.”

“The reason why it is so vital to keep this fee mandatory,” he said, “is because it funds so many different aspects of campus [that] you might not even think about.” 

Velasquez cited clubs and organizations as examples, but also Geneseo Late Knight, tech services, and even the buses. 

Velasquez also noted the transparency allotted by SA regarding their fee, compared to many other costs that make up a collegiate bill: “A lot of people reasonably want to know where their money will go [and] the mandatory student activity fee is one of the few, if not the only, fee that can [be tracked] down to every dollar and dime.”

For those curious, you can cite both the SA webpage, which contains a section on their funded organizations and services, as well as the Fee Definitions page within the Student Accounts webpage, all of which are available straight from the Geneseo website. Velasquez maintained transparency beyond the Geneseo website: “SA meets every Wednesday, and allocate[s] money to different clubs and organizations, and all of that is 100% transparent and accessible to any student to know where their money is going.”

As for the voting process itself, it is quite straightforward.

“You’ll get a link in your email to an online portal, and then you’ll vote—it’s as simple as that,” said Velasquez. “You don’t have to go anywhere in person, you don’t have to fill out a ballot—you can do it all right on your phone [and] it takes less than five minutes.”

Velasquez also notes that, as important as the referendum may be, it is just one part of a process assuring that SA is worthwhile for the students who support it:  “The referendum vote as a part of the SA election, which happens every spring,” he said. “You are also voting for SA positions, [and] all positions are up for grabs. I definitely recommend keeping an eye on your Geneseo email for election information [to be] informed voters and learn about the candidates.” 

As mentioned, many students focus solely on the financial aspect of the vote, and understandably so, but Velasquez implores students to think about what goes on beyond the price tag; after all, those holding office in SA help determine where exactly that money goes.

“SA has a lot of power and responsibility; we manage all of the money from the activity fees, and that is a lot of money to oversee,” he said. “You want to be sure that you’re voting for the person that can be the most responsible, accountable, and passionate.”

For those who may be interested in tacking their own names onto the election ballot, Velasquez assures that while the deadline for formal candidacy has passed, it is not too late: “The election isn’t over until it’s over,” he said. “Even a few days before the collection, you can still campaign to your friend and peers and be a write-in candidate, and everyone is welcome to pursue a position.”

Velasquez also encourages students to bridge the gap between students and SA. “Just because [the office] is tucked into a corner doesn’t mean people are unwelcome to come in,” he said. “We always encourage students to reach out to SA representatives, or to stop by the office—we’re here to be a resource for all students.”