2013 Voter Information Guide

Download and view (pdf)

Initiative

Would you support San José State University to become a smoke-free campus?

In January, the CSU statewide Academic Senate passed a resolution recommending that all CSU campuses become smoke-free. According to the Academic Senate’s resolution, “smoke-free means that smoking tobacco products will be prohibited in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned or leased by the University, including parking lots.”

The initiative which you are voting on now is not binding, meaning that if passed, the administration does not have to enforce this resolution; it is simply to see if the students of San José State University support their campus becoming a smoke-free campus. Would you support San José State University becoming a “smoke-free campus?”

Pro Statement (from Mykel Jeffrey):
According to the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and is responsible for 443,000 deaths per year in the U.S., more than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined. There are an estimated 49,000 deaths annually due to second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoking has been linked to an increase in demand for health care and other economic costs, including missed days of work and school. Campuses that are smoke-free have been proven to prevent students from starting tobacco use, support individuals in quitting tobacco, and encourage tobacco users to decrease their tobacco use. At least 1,129 U.S. colleges and universities are 100% smoke-free and that number is growing.

Con Statement (from Gavin Yee):
This is less a question of public health than it is one of public safety and individual liberty. First, one must consider that supporting a ban against smoking across campus may result in attempts to smoke indoors where individuals are less likely to be seen. This is a threat to maintaining a safe learning environment as much as it is a threat to the health of on-campus housing communities and the individuals that reside there. Second, it would put the safety of smokers at risk. The act of smoking may be perceived as a choice, but one must acknowledge it is also an addiction, one that can't be resolved by a one size fits all ban. I recall speaking to a young woman who expressed fears for her safety in the face of such an initiative, about having to go off campus to smoke late at night. The coming sequester at the national level translates into a reduction of police enforcement at the local level. Acknowledging the threat of violent crime in combination with a reduction in police presence, are we willing to compromise the safety and the rights of this minority in the name of public health?

Referendum

Would you approve of a $5 increase to the A.S. Student Activity Fee to support Alternative Transportation and Sustainability?

The purpose of the referendum is to add $5.00 to the A.S. Student Activity Fee with an annual assessment equal to the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), inflation rate.

If approved, A.S. will:

1. Continue to participate in the ECO Pass Program. A.S. currently pays $18 per student per semester. The cost of the Eco Pass is expected to increase by 15%.

2. Advocate for and improve the quality and affordability of alternative transportation services and programs. Ex: San José Bike Share, Group Rates for Cal Train, and BART.

3. Prioritize and expand sustainability and environmental opportunities. Including, but not limited to, expanded bicycle enclosures, added long-term bike storage, and bringing bike and long board repair stations to campus.

Pro Statement (from Calvin Worsnup):
SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY – VOTE YES

50% of all students use alternative transportation to get to school.
34% of all students, approximately 10,000, use VTA bus and light rail to get to school.

Voting YES supports programs and infrastructure for alternative transportation.

• Continuation of Eco Pass Program for Students

• Improved Bike Cages with Repair and tune-up stations

• Long-term bike parking for students in housing

• A.S. Advocating for group rates on regional transit (BART, Caltrain, ACE)

An Eco Pass bought individually would cost $1,540 a year. Your pass is a perk of your A.S. Fee. We pay $36 a year per student. Why not use it? Even if you don’t, there are many that depend on this pass to get to school, work, and around, saving them thousands of dollars.

On-campus parking is at capacity. Traffic is bad on 7^th and 11^th streets. Just imagine if students didn’t have an Eco Pass. 10,000 more students would drive and park near campus. Support your fellow student, VOTE YES.

Voting no could result in additional charges for students using the Eco Pass or even discontinuing the program.

VOTE YES! $5 per semester is the price of one movie ticket.

Con Statement (from any SJSU student):
No con statement was submitted by the March 8 deadline.

Referendum

Would you approve of a $4 increase to the A.S. Student Activity Fee to support Campus Community Development?

The purpose of the referendum is to add $4.00 to the A.S. Student Activity Fee with an annual assessment equal to the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), inflation rate. This will help build a campus community that celebrates DIVERSITY, encourages social AWARENESS, and demonstrates CAMPUS PRIDE.

If approved, A.S. will:

1. Develop a Spartan Community Fund, to support campus groups like the LGBT Center, Women’s Resource Center, International House, and Housing.

2. Restore and sustain successful programs previously eliminated due to budget constraints, such as: ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK, partnering with DAY OF SERVICE, and monthly STUDENT ACTIVITIES & EVENTS.

3. Launch and sustain funding for the Community Garden Project to increase student awareness about gardening, healthy eating, and self-sustenance.

4. Take SPARTAN SQUAD and SCHOOL SPIRIT activities to a new level! Partnering with ATHLETICS to enhance the STUDENT EXPERIENCE at all games to support our student athletes with engaging activities, such as SPIRIT RALLIES.

Pro Statement (from Calvin Worsnup):
SUPPORT YOUR CAMPUS PROGRAMS – VOTE YES

Funding from this referendum directly improves your college experience. Campus Programs are the difference between our university environment and a community college.

YES funds events and programs for you to connect with friends, new and existing.  Some ideas include:

• Restore and expand successful student events: Alternative Spring Break, Concerts, Day of Service

• Make attending Athletics’ games better with more free food, fun events, and giveaways.

YES supports your opportunities to enhance your college experience. Some ideas include:

• The Spartan Community Fund gives your student group money for your ideas to enhance the campus community. It also funds other campus groups and clubs to expand their ideas, too.

• Community Garden Project: A collaborative student project to transform a run-down dirt lot on 8^th and San Salvador into a living community space raising awareness of urban gardening, healthy eating, and food sustainability. 

Voting no means programs and support for the campus community will be eliminated or reduced.

VOTE YES! $4 a semester is the price of ONE coffee. A.S. has not proposed a fee increase since 2001.

Con Statement (from any SJSU student):
No con statement was submitted by the March 8 deadline.

Referendum

Would you approve of a $2 increase to the A.S. Student Activity Fee to support Student Organization Funding?

The purpose of the referendum is to add $2.00 to the A.S. Student Activity Fee with an annual assessment equal to the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), inflation rate.

The number of student organizations at SJSU has increased to over 380 in the past few years. Currently A.S. allocates $180,000 of its budget for groups to request up to $2,500 per year. Due to available resources, we are limited to be able to fund only 1/3 of organizations.

If approved, A.S. will:

1. Increase the total funds available for student organizations on campus.

2. Keep student organization funding as a priority for A.S. to help provide resources for: student events, conferences, professional development, apparel, performances, speakers, travel, research projects and philanthropic efforts.

3. Provide resources to continue the ability to allocate funding for student leadership recognition, such as the Student Leadership Gala.

Pro Statement (from Calvin Worsnup):
SUPPORT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS – VOTE YES

25% of SJSU students compose the 395 student organizations that make a vibrant campus community.

A.S. provides funding to allow student organizations to thrive.

Student Organizations provide value to the University and You. 

Vote YES to support Student Organizations and increase the available funding.

Student organizations are the essential co-curricular experience to apply your knowledge learned in the classroom, develop you as a leader, and connect you to your community.

A.S. currently sets aside $180,000 annually to support your student events, conferences, professional development, apparel, performances, speakers, travel, research projects and philanthropic efforts within student organizations.  

Some Benefits of Student Organizations we support include:

• Self development and personal growth

• Small groups with similar interests

• Development of leadership skills and values

• Involvement in campus community

• Student Orgs raise over $100,000 for philanthropies

• Opportunities for Career Enhancement (Resume Booster)

Voting no will force A.S. to reduce total available funding for student organizations by at least 30%, and the amount each organization could request in a year.

VOTE YES! $2 a semester is the price of a soda. A.S. has not asked for a fee increase for 12 years.

Con Statement (from any SJSU student):
No con statement was submitted by the March 8 deadline.