Special election results prove non-binding

Last May, Carole Huber's Geography class presented Student Goernment with two controversial ballot initiatives. The first referendum proposed a phasing out of the paper edition of The Scribe to a completely online format no later than August 1, 2015. The second referendum detailed a phasing out of the sale of bottled water on campus.

Through  extensive and undoubtedly resourceful campaigning efforts, the first referendum passed with a vote of 176 students to 104 students. With a slim margin of defeat, the second referendum concerning bottled water did not pass after a 138 to 147 final vote. Nonetheless, these results were deemed negligible due to the non-binding nature of the referendums. 

According to James Burge, last year's Student Vice-President, the referendums were decidedly non-binding because "…we [Student Government] wanted to leave it loose enough so that there would be room to adjust and implement accordingly. Basically, to ensure these things happen appropriately and not just immediately, without being done properly."

Consequently, the referendums are merely suggested plans of action, as reiterated by last year's Scribe managing editor, Tim Cannon. "I'm sure The Scribe is taking pride in the Student Body's vote/s," he continued, "and I trust the Scribe will be moving toward a paperless Scribe and appreciates that the student body is on board as well."

Bottom line, with the current nature and inevitable demise of the newspaper industry, moving to a strictly online format will certainly be necessary. As for bottled water, the less we purchase the better.