Last week’s referendum on student fees was certainly a commendable gesture on the part of our student leaders. Giving students a voice in the specifics of the fee allocation process was a great step forward to including student voices in the process.

Too bad it was a sham.

Harsh words? The fact that the nonbinding referendum would be taken on at an advisory basis at best should have been obvious to anyone paying attention before the votes were even cast. Consider the words of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Tom Stafford, who repeatedly refused to comment on how he would consider the outcome of vote on his decision.

Going further were his comments in Technician on Oct. 3 where he remarked that “students who voted on the referendum have not by any means had the information we have had.” When confronted with the fact that students would be able to see each justification for a fee increase, he dismissed this, questioning “How many students actually exercised that link.” Of course, even if they were to do the research, he discounts it, claiming, [They] have not had the benefit of this full discussion.”

Did you catch all that? Stafford has wasted no words in telling you, the students, that you are utterly incapable of making informed decision on the fees you pay. Even with the information out there, your opinion isn’t worth much notice.

Other members of the University administration aren’t even as charitable. When the Intercollegiate Athletics fee came in dead last on the priorities list, with 80 percent of students voting against any increase, Athletics Director Lee Fowler seemed to harbor the illusion that students somehow still overwhelmingly support a fee increase, stating “I only know 800 people who have hostility toward Athletics. There are a whole lot more than 1,000 people who care about Athletics.”

Here’s a quick statistics lesson for you, Mr. Fowler. When 800 out of 1000 students vote against a fee increase, that means 80 percent of students don’t want a fee increase. It doesn’t mean you have a hidden cache of overwhelming support lurking somewhere out there who far outnumber those 800. If we now refuse to trust basic statistics, we may as well throw out the notion of voting altogether — which when it comes to fees, would be something this administration would be perfectly happy doing.

Should it surprise anyone that after the final vote on fees was announced, students will be paying just 2 cents under the mandatory cap imposed by the Board of Governors? Incidentally, our own student representative Nate Myers tried to squirrel away these last two cents as well.

The fee ballot included “increase,” “half-increase,” and “no increase.” Notice there was no option for a decrease — demonstrating from the outset which direction this committee would be going.

In short, nice try Student Government. But next time, save us the smoke and mirrors.

What role do you think the fee referendum had on the fee committee? E-mail your thoughts to [email protected].