Students oppose 49er/Dig referendum

By Allison Baldwin
Online Forty-Niner
Editorial Assistant


The consensus of the small percentage of Cal State Long Beach students who voted in the 49er and Dig Referendum ruled against a $4 student fee increase which would fund the two publications.

A mere 679 students turned out to vote in the referendum that took place April 24 and 25. The results were announced on April 27. Four hundred forty-two students opposed the referendum and 237 favored the fee increase. The proposed increase failed 65 percent to 34.9 percent.

Daily Forty-Niner Editor in Chief Jamie Rowe received the results from Daily Forty-Niner General Manager Beverly Munson Thursday while she attended CSULB’s Journalism Day.

“ It’s disappointing but the students have spoken,” Rowe said. “We’ll find a way to make things work.”

Daily Forty-Niner City Editor Starr Balmer, who will be the paper’s editor in chief for the 2006-07 school year, said she heard that the referendum could still pass.

According Vice President of Student Services Doug Robinson, the referendum still has to go through the Chancellor’s Office, so there is a chance the fee increase will still be approved.

Balmer said she still plans to carry out many of her plans for the Daily Forty-Niner, even if the fee increase is denied.

“ I want to bring in more writers and more diverse stories to the newspaper,” Balmer said. “I’m still going to carry out my goals.”

Long Beach Union Weekly News Director Amanda Parsons said she understands money is tight for campus publications.

She said she hopes the Daily Forty-Niner and Dig can get more funds from additional ad sales or a future referendum requesting a smaller amount of money.

Jennifer Frehn, a copy editor for the Daily Forty-Niner who headed the referendum campaign, expressed her hope that CSULB students will take a more active interest in campus publications.

“ I hope the 34,000-some students who didn’t vote will eventually take an interest in things happening on campus — like
elections,” Frehn said.

After continuously publishing a hard-hitting campaign against the referendum, Union Weekly Editor in Chief Patrick Dooley expressed his relief that the referendum failed.

“ We’re pleased as punch,” Dooley said.

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