By Michael Benveniste
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 4, 1998

And one more thing about the Union

To the Editor:

I want to commend the entire U of A student body for exercising their personal right to freedom of speech and taking advantage of their right to vote [in the Memorial Student Union referendum election].

The big question is, where do we go from here? What we need to do is make certain that a new student referendum is drawn up that reflects what the students want, and not just what the Board of Regents wants. We need to let President Likins and the Board of Regents know that we may support a fee for renovation, and that a reasonable fee must be brought forth. I encourage all of you to once again exercise your God-given rightto freedom of speech and assembly by forming groups and coming up with ideas for a new student referendum; maybe, going to President Likins and/or the Board of Regents and expressing your ideas (more voice will come from not just one, but several voices). I believe that the students should get involved in the process, and I believe that the ASUA Referendum Advisory Group will benefit by incorporating not just ASUA members, butmore people from outside of ASUA. If there is to be a student referendum, then my fellow ASUAers, student leaders, faculty and staff must make absolutely sure that the message they send out to the student body is clearly stated in simple terms that people can understand. That way there will be fewer false claims, inaccurate information floating around and, hopefully, less "sensationalism" by the Daily Wildcat.. It is the responsibility, specifically of the student leaders, to encourage and answer all the questions people have on a given issue in the clearest way possible.

Voice your opinions to the Board of Regents and President Likins about why you voted "no" (if you did) on the referendum. Speak to your Student Senate of possible solutions to the problem (Senate meetings are open to the public, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Tucson Room); you voted for these people to represent you and they would be glad to hear what you have to say. Give your full support to your ASUA President, Gilbert Davidson, who is working very hard to see that a suitable policy is passed which will benefit the entire student population.

We have not only set an unprecedented record in election turnout, but have shown that we care about this university and the issues that affect us the students, especially, an issue that people have gotten tired of hearing about.

Michael Benveniste
Junior, Political Science