Marquette Student Government introduced legislation Monday night to start a referendum on the annual student activity fee, aiming to add a question on the spring election ballot.

Senators Cameron Vrana, a freshman in the College of Business Administration, and Thomas Schick, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, introduced the referendum.

The fees, added to student bills each year, go toward funding MUSG, student organization funding and on-campus programming.

Vrana clarified the question would only be asking what students think, not offering dollar prices or whether MUSG should raise or lower the budget. The question will be added to the bottom of the spring election ballot if plans go accordingly.

Schick said MUSG would be partnering with the Office of Institutional Research Analysis to form a concise message that will not contain bias.

Communication Vice President Sarah McClanahan, a senior in the College of Communication, said MUSG will be working to educate the student body on how the SOF is used.

Vrana said Marquette’s student activity fee that is $30, is significantly lower than fees at comparable universities such as Creighton University.

VOTED LEGISLATION

The Senate also voted in favor of Amendment 12, a clarification for impeachment and removal from office, Monday night at their weekly public meeting.

Author of the legislation, Vrana stressed the amendment is “house keeping, not a policy change.”

Senator Hannah Thiry, a freshman in the College of Business Administration, supported the amendment, arguing it adds legitimacy to MUSG.

“We can only add value to our positions by holding us to higher standards,” Thiry said.

The senate also voted and approved the recommendation for the Milwaukee Police Department to have officers mounted on all-terrain vehicles patrol the Marquette and surrounding neighborhoods.

“We are not funding this at all, just endorsing the acquisition,” said Senator Brian Touhy, a sophomore in the College of Engineering.

Vrana and other senators debated in the positive saying it would improve the strong relationship Marquette has with the surrounding community.

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION

Introduced at the meeting was a allocation from the reserve fund to attend the National Jesuit Leadership Conference. Senator Zachary Bowman, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, wrote the legislation, looking to allocate a total of $10,000 to cover the costs of lodging, registration, transportation and two meals for the 11 students and one adviser attending the conference over the summer.

Members of the Catholic Relief Services also made a presentation arguing that being a fair trade institute fits within the interests of Marquette’s Jesuit ideals. President Pro Tempore Aliya Manjee, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, and a number of campus groups supported the recommendation to recognize Marquette as a Fair Trade Institute

MUSG also heard a presentation regarding the Good Tenant Program, a training that would potentially give off-campus residents benefits such as discounted rent, preferred selection and deferred safety deposits.