Whereas the lack of an established, visible, and accessible space for Outreach and Retention on the UCI campus has resulted in the misconception that the University does not consider under served populations a priority,

Whereas our peer institutions, including UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, UCSF, UCSC and UC Berkeley all have centers dedicated to outreach and retention and have proven quite successful in their outreach and retention efforts, 

Whereas a facility dedicated to outreach and retention efforts will enhance student yield and ultimately foster a more conducive learning environment focused on multiculturalism and diversity on campus,

Whereas such a facility would enhance communication, coordination, and education in order to establish a more formal mechanism that contributes to the recruitment of students who may be academically and systemically disadvantaged and would contribute to the retention, academic achievement, and matriculation of students from disenfranchised communities,

Whereas such a facility has been granted the physical space to actualize this vision in collaboration with the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) initiative,

Whereas this center will provide services to all UCI students,

Whereas several UCI student test groups were administered by students working for the furtherance of the SOAR initiative,

Whereas these test groups have gathered data reflective of which services UCI students would like to see implemented on campus (i.e.: printing center, food pantries, etc.),

Whereas this data will be used to further create a center that will ultimately cater to the needs and wants of all UCI students,

Whereas this data is a testament to the involvement and importance of the general UCI student opinion in the creation of this center,

Whereas this center, then, will be subject to the will and want of the UCI student,

Whereas this idealized physical space requires [monetary] funding to answer the operation costs put forth by its existence and potential staff,

Let it be resolved that the attached initiative be submitted to a vote of the undergraduate student body in the ASUCI Spring 2011 election,

Let it further be resolved that the ballot language read accordingly:

Do you approve of a $1.99 per quarter fee to be used for the operation costs of a Student Outreach and Retention Center?

The fee would be enacted Fall Quarter, 2011.

In accordance with campus policy, 33% of the fee will be returned to financial aid to help offset the cost of this fee for students who are eligible for financial aid.

After the return to financial aid, the rest of the fee will be distributed to pay the operation costs of the Student Outreach and Retention Center.

This fee will not be assessed during the summer sessions.

____ Yes, I support a $1.99 per quarter fee or the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Referendum

____No, I do not support a per quarter fee for the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Referendum

The results of the referendum wlll be official only if all the following conditions are met:

A 60% affirmative vote of 25% of the undergraduate student body.