Return to Aid

This ballot initiative gives students the illusion of choice. This past fall, the UC Regents mandated that due to budget cuts, each UC campus would have to pay the financial aid support for its own lock-in fees – something that was previously covered by the UC budget. While acknowledging the futility of the situation, we decided to support a 25 percent return to aid, as roughly 28 percent of UCSB students are on financial aid. Choosing 33 percent return-to-aid would be excessive, especially considering that UCSB’s lock-in fees are already the second highest in the UC system.

– The Nexus strongly endorses a 25 percent Return to Aid Surcharge.

A.S. Community Affairs Board

In 2003, the university cut all funding for the CAB Foundation, which helped fund additional volunteer projects outside of A.S. Community Affairs Board, such as the Family Literacy Program and Best Buddies. Without CAB’s Volunteer Support Fee, the CAB foundation will remain penniless and unable to continue to support such programs. The 57 cent per quarter Volunteer Support Fee would revive the CAB foundation, ensuring that volunteer groups continue to receive the support they need to operate programs that contribute immeasurably to the welfare of the local community.

– The Nexus strongly endorses the A.S. Community Affairs Board Volunteer Support Fee.

The Green Initiative Fund

The Green Initiative Fund started out with the right idea, but the execution of their plan to make the campus more environmentally friendly makes us want to run screaming for the hills. UCSB is already dedicated to revamping the campus in order to make it more “green.” Every new building erected on campus is designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, which means that over time, nearly everything that TGIF is asking for will be accomplished – without costing us an extra $2.60 per quarter. Retrofitting older buildings to be more environmentally sound is a good idea, but that will take millions of dollars, and isn’t that why we pay taxes and tuition fees? This will send the wrong message to the UC Regents, essentially telling them that we are willing to pay for things that should be the State of California’s responsibility, not the students’. The Nexus is all for helping the environment, but this isn’t something that students should be paying extra fees for, so pretty please, do not vote for this. But do remember to recycle.

– The Nexus strongly opposes The Green Initiative Fund.