Long Beach, Calif. - February 28, 2015- CSULB students voted 56.1% to 43.8% to increase their ASI fee by $16 per semester beginning Fall 2014. The Associated Student leaders have led the charge to educate students on the financial situation of ASI and the opportunity to provide funding for much needed student programs. Student leaders worked tirelessly on an educational campaign to share information about the fee referendum and encouraging students to vote YES.
Associated Students Executive Director Richard Haller was pleased with the results, "I am extremely proud of our student leaders and the student citizens of this campus. The outcome of this referendum demonstrates their foresight and commitment to making this campus a better place for both current and future students. No one likes to see their "taxes" increase, but sometimes it's necessary and the majority of students were able to see that."
With the election results in and the budget process for the 2014-2015 fiscal year beginning, ASI will be able to accommodate the increase to the California minimum wage without any cuts to programs or services. In addition, facility improvements to ASI-operated facilities will be able to be addressed in collaboration with Physical Planning and Facilities Management. ASI is committed to establishing a 24-hour study center, major campus events and study abroad/research grants for students.
Up next for ASI will be to identify a location for the 24-hour study center, outreach to the student body for major event ideas, and to work with student leaders to establish policies and procedures for study abroad and research grants to be in place for the next academic year. The passage of the fee referendum demonstrated the legacy and positive impact 49ers want to leave for future generations.
The special referendum election for the Associated Students fee took place Wednesday, February 26 and Thursday, February 27 with a voter turnout of 5,027 students; 14.6% of the student population.
