The referendum would add a $49.96 quarterly transportation student fee. 

The transportation referendum originally proposed by A.S. Council during Fall Quarter 2013 has had new language approved by the Office of the Chancellor and A.S. Council. The language has been passed to the UC Office of the President for approval, and will be voted on by the UCSD Graduate Student Association on Monday.

The referendum will pass through UCOP unchanged if it is determined that the referendum abides by the rules and guidelines set forth by the office. Both A.S. Council and GSA will vote on the referendum before it is approved through UCOP, in order to ensure that, if unchanged by UCOP, it makes it onto the Spring Quarter elections ballot.

If it is not passed through UCOP or GSA, students will vote on the changed language in a special election. ASUCSD MOVES Executive Director Kyle Heiskala hopes that this will not happen because he expects more students to vote if it is on the general election ballot. However, he is optimistic about the events that have transpired thus far.

“I was really excited that the Chancellor approved the language to be approved by UCOP,” Heiskala said. “It basically means the referendum is moving forward.”

The finalized language of the referendum includes a new student transportation fee of $49.96 per student per quarter that will provide each student with a Regional Transit Pass. The pass will allow students unlimited rides on all of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s modes of transportation, including the bus, trolley and light rail routes.

A Student Transportation Advisory Committee will oversee how the funds are spent — 71 percent of the funds go to the transportation pass, while a mandatory 29 percent will go to the financial aid.