Academic Initiatives vote: yes and yes

 In Wednesday night's referendum, students voted in record numbers to continue and expand the Academic Initiatives programs.

The first question asked whether students wanted to maintain current services under the programs, costing an additional $45 per year on top of the current $60 fee.

The second asked students to approve an increase in those programs at an added cost of $15 per year, for a total increase from the current $60 to $120 per year.

A total of 3462 students voted in the first question, with 81.6 percent saying yes.

Voting in the second question were 3454 students, with 71.3 percent approving.

The turnout surpasses that of previous campus-wide votes, including for Growth, Quality & Access, which garnered 2,298 votes, the Green Fund with 2,497, a stadium fee at 2,647, and a vote to rename the mascot with 3,160.

Chancellor Joe Gow will present the results of the referendum at a chancellor's meeting Friday. The fee will go into effect, if approved by the Board of Regents, in next year's tuition.