Students pay the fee each semester and can vote on the issue in the Illinois Student Government election today and Tuesday. SORF has to receive approval for having the fee every four years. SORF is asking for an increase this year because the number of student organizations has increased significantly since the last referendum in 1995 and operating costs are higher than ever, SORF Administrator Trish Saelens said. A referendum was not held last year because of questions regarding the status of SORF as a mandatory fee. The issue was resolved because the fee is refundable.
All activities cost more.
You can't get a speaker on campus today for what it cost last year, let alone four years ago. They're asking for the increase in order to be prepared from now to 2004. The referendum consists of two questions and is on the same ballot as the candidate elections. SORF previously had a surplus of funds because the student organizations didn't always spend what they were allotted, Saelens said. Saelens said the outcome of the election depends on the commitment of students to supply their peers with the funds they need.