The Collegian referendum passes

By JENNA NIELSEN

Students voted in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s Associated Students election to independently fund The Collegian by means of a student fee increase.

The funding increase will take effect beginning next semester after The Collegian referendum passed by a vote of 655 to 443.

The passing of the referendum was received with excitement at The Collegian offices.
“I’m extremely happy that the referendum passed,” said Nathan Hathaway, editor in chief of The Collegian. “I’m happy to see students support The Collegian and see its value to the campus.”

The Collegian news editor, Maurice Ndole, said the passing of the referendum meant a lot to the future of the newspaper.

“I am excited the referendum passed. It means that students have confidence and like what we are doing” Ndole said. “It also shows the referendum that was passed in 1989 is valid and students still recognize the importance of The Collegian and they value it as a source of news.”

The Collegian’s faculty adviser, Greg Lewis, said the passing of the referendum was a great relief to him.

“We are very pleased we have the support of students,” Lewis said. “We look forward to meeting the expectations next semester with more pages and more content.”

The collegian’s referendum proposal said the passing of the referendum will allow The Collegian to offer readers more news, more features, more color and more pages, as well as an improved online presence.

Lewis also said the updated technology will allow the newspaper to keep up with a growing campus and changing environment and will provide students with a top quality newspaper.

Features editor Chhun Sun said the passing of the referendum ensures future journalism students will be able to enjoy the benefits of working on the campus paper.

“I think it is more important for us to be happy that The Collegian is going to survive for a lot longer for those students who come after us,” Sun said.

Sports editor Eddie Hughes, who is graduating in May, said the passing of the referendum would benefit the university and mass communication and journalism students.

“I am happy to know that future mass communication and journalism students will get a chance to gain experience working for The Collegian as I have in my time here,” Hughes said.

Photo editor Joseph Hollak and opinion editor Ethan Chatagnier said the passing of the referendum would provide journalism students with a great resource.

“The Collegian is a working classroom that allows students to hone their craft, and now future students will have this outlet to prepare for their future as journalists,” Hollak said.

Chatagnier said he foresaw a bright future for The Collegian.

“This new funding will give The Collegian not just room to maintain, but to improve,” Chatagnier said.