UNBC Student Newspaper

LEE,

Vol. 1 Issue 4
Nov. 30, 1994

REFERENDUM RESULTS
IN STUDENT APATHY

by Manpreet Sidhu

December Ist is
World AIDS
Awareness Da

The ballots came in and were counted
on the morning of November 22nd, leaving
members of the referendum committee shaking
their heads.

Out of a possible 1400 potential voters
only a handful (266) managed to take the time
out of their schedules to read the proposed
constitution and fill in the ballots.

Students were asked whether they
wanted a student government and if they
accepted the proposed constitution. An
overwhelmingly 98% of the voters (258
students) said Yes' to a student government and

~ 80% (208 students) said that they acne the

constitution.

Just over 360 ballots were picked up.
These figures include the 100 ballots sent to the
regional campuses. Twenty-nine per cent of the
student body had ballots yet only nineteen per
cent voted.

Darren Bradley, a member of the
referendum committee, was not surprised with
the results. “Twenty per cent turnout is the
average for a student election," he said.

Derek Mifflin, on the other hand was
disappointed with the response. "It's ridiculous!
People would walk by, look over and keep

walking."

"They knew there was a referendum yet
they still didn't come and vote," Mifflin said.

During an informal poll, students
voiced their own reasons not voting. Some were
too busy; others felt that the constitution was too
“wordy” and "boring" and that they did not
finish reading it.

"I didn't vote," said one woman, not
wishing to be identified. "They think they're so
self-important sitting in that room making all
the rules."

Members of the interim Student
Association are hoping for more student
involvement in the next few weeks.

Student Association elections will take
place on the 19th of January 1995. Information
about requirements for nomination is available

-at the Student Association office on December

2nd at 11:00 am. Places and times for the
introduction of candidates, the All Candidates
Forum, the election and the Annual General
Meeting will be available January 5-7 at
registration.

Heather Sapergia, a member of the
elections committee, is looking for volunteers.
Those interested in helping with the election can
contact her at saper0O00@ugrad.unbe.edu or
leave a message at Room 7-234. X