Though Community Affairs Board (CAB) has the best intentions at heart, it is adequately serving its present purpose with the money it already has. At the very least, an additional 85 cents per student per quarter is too high an asking price to replace and augment the supplies the organization uses for its volunteer projects. The money also seems unnecessary to fund a group of volunteers who, ideally, would carry out such feats of philanthropy without the need for extra cash to do it. Perhaps students volunteering through CAB to read to kids could check out books from the library and bring those to read?

The Nexus strongly opposes the A.S. Community Affairs Board initiative.

For over three decades, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has been a driving force in not only recruiting, but also in easing the transition to the university environment for first-generation and low-income college students. Budget cuts have ravaged EOP’s budget, and they now require a fee of $2.75 to keep their program up to par. This program is imperative to keep our campus diverse and ensure the continuance of recruitment in areas that contain students who may otherwise not even consider college as an option.

The Nexus strongly endorses the Educational Opportunity Program Initiative.

The hefty price tag of $4.50 per student per quarter – one that doubles in three years if the initiative is passed – is too steep for enhancements to facilities that few students use on a regular basis. Since the students at large have already thrown down the cash for the Intercollegiate Athletics Building – which can only be used by athletes – it’s time for the sports and club sports programs to foot the bill for any additional facilities that will primarily benefit those sports teams anyway. There’s no reason that athletes so concerned with the quality of their fields can’t raise the money themselves, as our soccer teams have demonstrated in the past with the restoration of the Harder Stadium turf.

The Nexus opposes the Recreational Fields Enhancement initiative.

Unfortunately, the Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF) has no student fee to support it. SMERF is asking for a lock-in fee of only 89 cents per quarter to help students pay for medical care in extraordinary medical situations. The University Insurance Plan can only cover so much – certain conditions don’t fall under its umbrella.

The Nexus strongly endorses the Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund.

The Nexus has a hard time saying no to kids. Aside from providing child care for student parents that would likely otherwise not be able to afford it – the University Children’s Center currently provides employment for 60 UCSB undergrads. If the initiative passes, the center would be able to improve its facilities and hire 30 new student workers. The center also provides observation and research opportunities for grads and undergrads alike.

The Nexus strongly endorses the University Children’s Center initiative.

Counseling and Career Services, another program that was severely affected by California’s budget cuts, is one of the most used services on campus, serving over 10,000 students annually. The new initiative of $5.85 basically ensures that they will continue to exist, and ideally reload their depleted staff. The counselors there can help you pick a major, help you through anxiety attacks or help you figure out if you’re graduating in six or seven years, which can be a surprisingly valuable service.

The Nexus strongly endorses the Counseling and Career Services initiative.

In a town like Isla Vista, a safe haven for women on campus is a necessity. Rape, sexual harassment and discrimination are all issues women face every day both at UCSB and on the streets of I.V., and no woman should have to feel like her voice can’t be heard. This initiative will provide the Women’s Center with the means to continue providing valuable resources for women on campus.

The Nexus strongly endorses the Women’s Center initiative.