A student referendum that has the potential to stop the implementation of the proposed $800 mandatory non-refundable meal plan by eliminating some dining services will be held on the World Wide Web tomorrow through Thursday.
The referendum, organized by the Student Assembly, asks students to choose the amount they are willing to pay in non-refundable DBA and whether they would like Dartmouth Dining Services maintained, reduced or eliminated.
Assembly leaders have said College Treasurer Lyn Hutton has agreed to follow the course students indicate is most popular.
In a meeting called by Assembly President Jon Heavey '97 last night, members decided they will go door-to-door over the next days answering questions and handing out cards with the World Wide Web address.
The referendum asks students to choose between the following three options: "maintain current level of services, with some moderate reductions of cost," "cut backs and reduction of services" with a lower mandatory DBA or the "elimination of residential dining at Dartmouth."
"We need a huge turnout [to vote] for the referendum to carry weight," said Assembly president Jon Heavey '97. "If most of the student body doesn't come out, why should [administrators] listen?"
"If we only get 500 people who [vote], the administration would be free to do what they want," he said.
Part of the referendum consists of a survey asking students their opinion about the role of dining services on campus.
The referendum was drawn up by the student members of the Trustee Committee on Finance in conjunction with members of the Assembly. Members of those groups met last Sunday with Hutton to discuss students concerns over the proposed $800 non-refundable DBA.
Students can access the referendum tomorrow through Thursday at http://www.dartmouth.edu/projects/dds/.
