The Student Senate voted Wednesday night to pass the decision of increasing the Student Union fee on to the students.
A referendum proposing the increase will appear on the ballot for the April 2 Student Government election.
If approved by students, the University will increase the Union fee by $10 per spring and fall semester for the next six semesters.
The referendum also proposes an increase of $9 per summer semester.
The spring and fall semester fee increase will be capped at $107, a figure that includes the existing fee of $47, in spring 2006.
The summer semester fee will be capped at $35.75, including the current fee of $8.75, in summer 2006.
TOPS will continue to cover the current $47 Union fee, despite any increase. However, TOPS will not cover the increased amount.
In passing the bill, several senators stressed the importance of letting students vote on the fate of the fee increase.
“Ultimately, we are the representatives of the students,” said Sen. Neal Hebert. “To neglect sending something this important to the student vote would be to disregard our job.”
The Senate passed the bill with only two opposing votes, despite some common concerns and questions.
Senators concerns included the fate of the increased amount after the project’s completion and the importance of the renovations at this time.
Sens. Robert Lay and Brandon Smith, authors of the bill, said the senate should allow the students to bring up these concerns and decide for themselves.
Lay and Smith also pointed out the Union currently operates completely from student fees and self-generated revenues from retail operations and services.
Union director Shirley Plakidas said the Union already serves several different important purposes for the students, such as being a home to certain student organizations, several dining facilities and the bookstore.
Plakidas pointed out the Union is often the first impression potential students and other visitors have of the University.
Also, the Union gives three percent of its annual revenue to the University’s general fund for the University to put toward academics, Plakidas said.
The estimated cost of the Union renovations and expansion is $54.6 million.
If approved, the fee increase will benefit the Union in several different ways, including a 57,600 square feet expansion and major renovations to the existing 150,000 square feet.
Money from the increase also will go to the creation of a new main entrance on the Union’s southeastern side, near Highland Road and the Memorial Oak Grove.
Union Associate Director Ken Bueche said the new entrance will benefit students who live on campus and commuters who park in the Agricultural Center lot.
One of the first projects the Union hopes to begin is the creation of Free Speech Alley plaza.
Plakidas and Bueche hope to expand Free Speech Alley into the grassy triangular area between the Parade Ground and the existing Free Speech Alley to give students a larger space to gather. This also will provide students with disabilities easier access to the handicap ramp leading to the bottom floor of the Union.
Union officials and contracted architects have proposed several other ideas to turn the Union into a more modern, useful and efficient campus crossroads.
Union officials and the Union Program Council plan to utilize the next few months before the election to educate students on the need for the fee increase by tabling in Free Speech Alley and the Quad and holding informational forums.
If the student body approves the referendum, the fee increase will go into effect in fall 2003. Plakidas anticipates the contractors will complete the project in Spring 2008 if students approve the fee increase.