USU fee campaign to launch in October

Associated Students Inc. plans to launch an official campaign that would promote a referendum, which would include a $165 semester fee and a $124 summer fee for renovations in the University Student Union if passed.

“It Starts With You” will launch in October and will inform the student body of “all aspects of the referendum,” such as what facility improvements the USU would include, ASI Communications Manager Lindsay San Miguel said via email.

San Miguel said that if the fees are approved, they would not take effect until the year the renovated sections of the USU open, which would be about four to five years after its approval.

The referendum would increase the USU fee, which is currently $179, according to the CSULB website, in order to “address the needs of current and future students.” These needs include deficiencies such as limited seating, limited study space and critical infrastructure concerns such as mechanical, engineering, plumbing and waterproofing, San Miguel said.

According to the referendum proposal, the total cost of construction for the renovations and expansions of the USU was estimated to be $99 million.

San Miguel said that the fee increase would cover the cost of construction, renovation, expansion and continual operation of the USU. Areas to be improved include the lounge and study space, dining seating, meeting rooms, large event space and student resource centers, she said.

“Students also stated that if improvements were made to the USU, it would double the number of visits to the facility per week, as well as increase the amount of time spent in the USU,” San Miguel said. “Overall students and the campus community view the USU as the focal point of the campus.”

Since 2011, San Miguel said that the USU Board of Trustees has been conducting formal assessments of CSULB students’ needs and desires for the USU.

According to the referendum proposal, during the two years between referendum approval and construction, the CSULB, USUBOT, ASI and the Chancellor’s Office will be designing the facility, working with architects and hiring contractors.

The USUBOT, Student Senate and CSULB campus Student Fee Advisory Committee approved the referendum last spring.  Student will be able to decide on its approval in late February 2015.  According to the referendum proposal, pending the outcome, the expected design and construction schedule would begin in summer 2015.

“Construction and operation of these types of student union facilities are funded using student body center fees, instead of state funds,” according to the referendum proposal.

Students such as undeclared major Larry Santos said she speculates whether the fee is worth future students’ investments.

“Put yourself in [the] students’ shoes that would be affected by the fee,” Santos said. “I don’t get financial aid, so I would mind. I’m already on a tight budget, so I would be pissed if I had to pay.”

Nursing major Christina Jose said that although future students should decided if the “pricey” fee would be implemented, the fee would benefit accessibility to better resources and technology.

“I mean, it is a good idea, it’s kind of weird how we don’t have any outlets around the school where [as] the community colleges do,” she said. “We’re constantly using our laptops.”

ASI Executive Director Richard Haller said that, although ASI is always looking for alternatives to pay for such projects, gaining funding opportunities such as grants or donations is more difficult to acquire for buildings.

“There’s no denying it’s going to have some financial impact for the students,” he said. “It’s important to know, I think, that no one will start paying the fee until the renovated portions of the facility open.”

Haller said that it’s unlikely that current students will be enrolled at CSULB when the fee takes effect.

“I think it’s part of leaving a legacy for future generations of students,” he said.

Contributing writer Bernardo Torres contributed to this report.