Students ultimately voted “no” — 5,900 votes to 3,977 votes — on the referendum to increase the Student Activity Fee on election day.
Current SGA Treasurer James Beauchaine gave a presentation on a referendum proposing the increase earlier this week.
The SAF is currently at $45 and Beauchaine said the proposal would suggest a $9 increase for the 2017-18 school year “with an additional increase of $3 per school year until the new fee of $69 is reached.”
“The Student Activity Fee serves to fund the various Student Activity Portfolios and Projects, providing funds and opportunities to over 500 organizations across campus,” Beauchaine said.
Beauchaine said at the debate he hoped students would consider voting “yes” on the referendum.
“In 2006 the fee was raised from $19 to $29, with an additional $2 also assessed for the next nine years,” Beauchaine said. “Since that time, Auburn students have seen no change in the SAF, yet tuition has risen by 114 percent for residents and 92 percent for non-residents, inflation has risen by 20 percent and other student fees have increased to fund the transit systems and the wellness center."
Beauchaine said he's not reassessing what he can do to optimize the student experience.
"My plan is to reassess and reevaluate the needs of organizations in hopes to develop a plan for moving forward," Beauchaine said. "Our end goal is ensuring the success of leadership development, programming and the overall student experience that our Student Activity Fee currently funds."
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