Fresh group to study failed referendum, draft new plan

Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike McCoy

Davidson, who will not participate in what he called the Associated Students Presidential Task Force, said he wanted the group to accomplish three goals:

• Determine why the referendum failed

• Decide how to better educate students about the project

• Draft a new proposal

Students voted against the Memorial Student Union referendum last month, which would have charged students $40 a semester to help pay for renovations to the building.

"We plan to have an official report by Feb. 15," said Mike McCoy, task force chairman and a member of Davidson's cabinet.

"We want to improve on what was done before and present the best alternative to students," he added.

The 10-member group includes student leaders who were both in favor of and opposed to the fee. Only six were present at the first meeting yesterday

Members discussed what they wanted to see in a new Student Union and proposed more symposiums and student forums to inform the UA populous about the new proposal.

Group members also laid out how meetings will be conducted in the future, McCoy said, adding the next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow in the Student Union Cactus Lounge.

Yesterday's meeting was closed to the public as will be tomorrow's.

"We're doing what we can to get student input, McCoy said. "We would like to have three or four meetings before Christmas break and then really get going after that."

Davidson said the task force will be challenged to come up with a plan before the Feb. 15 deadline.

"But we need to get something done," he said. "If we drag it out, it loses its meaning."

The failed referendum was drafted by a group of student leaders that was similar to the current task force.

"But this one is different in the sense that they are reviewing," Davidson said. "This group can create a basis for future leaders in dealing with referendums."

He added, "It will be a transition for students and will give us leverage with the administration to argue points they feel are important."

This group also differs from the first because of the absence of administrators. Previously, meetings were held in Dean of Students Melissa Vito's office with several administrators present.

"This needs to be a student-based process," Davidson said. "We made mistakes before and having administrators involved may have clouded the issue."

The group will eventually present their results and possibly a proposal to administrators at a later date.

Davidson also requested that the Arizona Daily Wildcat not report on the meetings.

"I want the group to be able to say what they wanted to say without worrying that it will get printed in the paper," Davidson said.