Preliminary Results of Student Fee Advisory Referendum Announced

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cal Poly officials have released preliminary results from an advisory referendum asking students for a fee increase to maintain existing services at the campus health center and to provide additional support for athletic scholarships.

The Provost's Office said more than 7,000 students cast ballots during the two-day referendum Wednesday and Thursday, roughly 44 percent of those eligible to vote. The preliminary results released Thursday night showed:

Students approved the Health Services fee referendum to maintain existing health center services. 5,616 students (76 percent) voted yes on the proposed Health Services Fee; 1,777 (24 percent) voted no. The current Health Services fee paid by students is $31.23 per quarter; students voted to increase that amount by $15 per quarter beginning Fall Quarter 2004, for an estimated total, adjusted for inflation, of $47.42.

Students approved the proposal to raise fees to provide additional support for athletic scholarships. In all, 3,843 students (53 percent) voted for the athletics fee increase, and 3,362 students (47 percent) voted against it.

The current ASI Athletic Scholarship fee is $4.15 per quarter. The proposed $30 increase will be phased in, with a $20 per quarter increase beginning Fall Quarter 2004; an additional $5 per quarter beginning Fall Quarter 2005; and another $5 per quarter beginning Fall Quarter 2006 for an estimated total of $36.38, adjusted for inflation, by fall quarter 2006.

All results are preliminary and must still be reviewed by Vice President for Student Affairs Cornel Morton and approved by President Warren J. Baker.

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Editors note: Interim Provost Robert Detweiler will be available Friday morning to discuss the referendum results. Contact his office Friday morning at 756-2186 if you would like to speak with him.