The Warren College Student Council recently approved by consensus a referendum during eighth week asking Warren College students to vote on a $4-per-quarter fee for fall 2004.

This will be the first attempt at a fee referendum for Earl Warren College. According to WCSC President Tim Alexander, other college councils have larger budgets than WCSC, which started the year $4,000 in debt.

“”We are spending responsibly and conservatively, but we just don’t have [a large enough] budget,”” Alexander said. “”We are definitely in need of some money.””

According to Warren Sophomore Senator Brandon Blades, the money from the referendum, if passed, would be used to provide money for organizations, many of which have approached the council for funding in the past year.

“”A lot of Warren organizations aren’t able to fund themselves, and we want to put on programs to facilitate better out-of-the-classroom life for Warren College and to create new and exciting programs,”” Blades said.

According to Alexander, the fee would be used to upgrade current programs and to expand existing events.

“”The money would go to both residents and transfer students, and there would be larger programs,”” Alexander said. “”We’d be able to expand our events like the party bus and mystery bus to include more people and create big traditional Warren events like [Thurgood Marshall College’s] MarshallPalooza.””

Alexander said that a significant part of the fees would be used to create a transfer and commuter board.

“”The board will work on putting on events, programs and looking out for the interest of commuter and transfer students, which doesn’t exist right now for Warren even though the council tries,”” Alexander said. “”But you need a bigger budget.””

With rising student fees concerning many students, some are uncertain about having to pay an additional activity fee.

“”This referendum is long overdue,”” Warren Senior Senator Jennifer Klage said. “”As a councilmember, I know that we could really use the money to create more programs and give students more of what they need. However, as a student, I am not sure if I want to pay more. The governor is already going to make us pay more for attending this university.””

Others said that a $4 fee is minimal compared to other rising fees.

“”I think that if it’s just $4, then it’s reasonable,”” Warren sophomore Anju Tsao said. “”And it’s trying to make the Warren community more social. Four dollars is not too extravagant.””

Warren sophomore Gabriel Valerio agreed that the amount seems to be reasonable compared to other rising fees.

“”With everything else rising, four dollars is nothing,”” Valerio said. “”If it’s anything over $10, then it would be extreme. But I wouldn’t actually go out of my way to vote for this.””

A committee is currently developing the text for the referendum. According to Blades, a proposal has been submitted and put to a roll call vote, but the vote has yet to meet quorum. Blades said that the council will vote on the referendum language again on Jan. 22. According to Alexander, the committee is also working on the recommendations to be put in the referendum.

“”We don’t want to be held down to certain expenditures,”” Alexander said. “”The referendum committee will be deciding on what proportions of the money would be given to certain things.””

Students will be able to vote for the fee during special elections held during eighth week, which will also feature a change in the WCSC constitution’s language. The election will be on paper ballot and booths will be available at Library Walk and on the Warren campus.