Students will vote on four referendums on Tuesday’s ballot.

The referendums will include two from Student Media on fee increases. The first, a $1 increase to fund a special project for the Agromeck yearbook, would give graduating seniors a copy of the book for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

“This increase will be put toward the publication printing fees for a set number of yearbooks to be handed out to graduating seniors at no cost,” John Cooper Elias, senior in communication and editor of the Agromeck, said.

According to Elias, several other college yearbooks operate under a similar model. The idea to include the referendum on this ballot came about when Adam Compton, senior in agricultural business management and current Senior Class Council president, pitched it to the editorial staff. 

“This increase will ensure the life of the yearbook, gets it in the hands of students and allow the yearbook to continue to grow and be an award-winning publication,” Compton said in support of Agromeck.

Elias said Agromeck is “one of the top college yearbooks in the nation” and has won numerous awards, including the “two national championships” of yearbooks. The 2007 edition received the Pacemaker award from the Associated Collegiate Press, while the 2008 edition received a Gold Crown award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and is again a finalist for the Pacemaker. 

“Agromeck has been around since 1903. It helps to preserve the history of the University and is a long-standing tradition on campus,” Elias said. 

An additional 50-cent increase to contribute to maintaining operations of Student Media at the current level will also be presented as a referendum.

“With the rate of inflation, this increase will allow Student Media productions to keep the level of excellence we have come to know, and our students have come to expect,” Compton said.  

Compton said the support gained from the two fee increases will be used as greater evidence to convince the Fee Review Committee when official requests are made in the fall.

“Student Media took a voluntary fee cut of $1.50 in 2005, so by gaining student support we will simply return back to the original fees,” Compton said. 

The third Student Media referendum is to completely remove Americana, a web-based publication used to inform students of campus issues. The Student Media Board of Directors voted to remove the publication at a meeting earlier this year, but the constitution of the organization requires that the student body approves the action. 

“The Americana has not been published since 2006 and is no longer receiving a budget,” Compton said.

Compton said by passing the referendum, removal of Americana will be official.

In addition to the three Student Media referendums, the Student Centers Board will also be presenting a referendum to students.

Peter Barnes, a sophomore in natural resources and the student centers president, described the referendum as an initiative to keep all organizations involved in making campus decisions. According to Barnes, by passing this referendum, student organizations, such as Greek Life, that do not have an office in a student center, will be able to stay on the board.

“This referendum will allow us to keep restrictions, but also keep all organizations involved,” Barnes said. “Voting is absolutely crucial to keep students involved and connected.”