Whereas, the Student Outreach and Retention Center (SOAR) is the only student initiated center at the University of California, Irvine that focuses on providing resources for students to seek information, funding, and training on outreach and retention programs aimed at ensuring student success; and,

Whereas,  SOAR is not a permanent center and is only running on temporary funding given by the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs until Spring 2016; and,

Whereas, students are currently organizing a referendum campaign and have finalized the proposed ballot initiative as stated in the let it be resolved clauses.

Let it be resolved that this initiative be submitted to a vote of the undergraduate student body in the ASUCI Spring 2014 election,

Let it be resolved that the Outreach Advisory Committee and the Retention Advisory Committee of SOAR Center will administer the allocation of all funds collected through this fee initiative,

Let it be resolved that this student fee initiative shall sunset 25 years from its effective date (Fall 2041) in the event that it fails to be reaffirmed by student vote,

Let it be resolved that the SOAR Center requests a four-year notice in advance of the sunset date (Fall 2037) to allow time of a reaffirmation planning to occur,

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

The Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) 2014 Ballot Language

Are you in favor of a $6.50 per quarter fee to make the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center a permanent center at UCI?

This fee will keep SOAR open and cover its operating costs. The budget from this fee will be used for expenses that include, but are not limited to, funding the operations of the SOAR Center, student-initiated outreach and retention, expansion of current services and programs, providing leadership and professional development opportunities for students. The expansion of our programs and services include, but are not limited to, creating a fund for student-initiated retention programs, expanding funding for the Antleader Mentorship Program, developing financial literacy and graduate school preparation workshops, hiring peer tutors, and providing a food closet and discount printing.

· The fee will take into effect starting fall 2016.

· The fee will be charged to undergraduate students only.

· The fee will be assessed for all quarters including Summer Session

· 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.

· Starting fall 2017 the fall quarter the fee shall increase annually based on the California Consumer Price Index (CPI) to offset the effects of inflation.

· The funds will be managed by the SOAR Center. An audit of the use of these funds may be provided upon request.

· The SOAR Center shall provide the Chancellor a report on the expenditure of SOAR referendum funds at the end of each academic year. Upon request, this report can be available to the UCI community.

·  If the referendum is passed, this fee will need to be reaffirmed by the student body on its 25th year (2041-2042) from its effective date. If there is no vote to reaffirm a fee by the 30th year after the start, the fee will sunset.

_____ Yes- I approve the new quarterly fee for the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center Referendum.

_____ No- I do not approve the fee for the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center Referendum.

Approval of the referendum requires that both of the following conditions are met:

• A minimum of 25% of all eligible undergraduates must vote and

• At least 60% of voting undergraduates must approve the referendum.