A referendum question on the Student Government Association presidential ballot allows students to vote on building a new $100 million Student Union.

Half of the financing for the building would come from increasing student fees by $125 per semester for the next 25 years, according to SGA Senator and Chairman of Student Academic Affairs Adam Baldarelli

The University of Massachusetts administration has agreed to fund the other half of the construction through “outside sources” such as alumni donations, according to Balderelli.

The Student Union, which was constructed in 1957, houses numerous student businesses, registered student organization [RSO] offices and other student organizations.

“It is time for a building that is new and fresh,” said Baldarelli. “The building has not grown with the needs of the students.”

Over the past two years, Baldarelli has been researching what the needs of the new building will be. He conducted a need-based survey, which found that students believe there is not enough room for RSO’s and student businesses to feel like the have a place on campus or for meetings.

“[RSO’s] have no space to store their things,” said Balderelli.

He said that of the RSO’s that do have office space, many are forced to share the space with 3 or 4 other groups.

“Our office is a mailbox,” said junior Angela MacGray, a member of the Active Minds RSO . She would like to see an office where interested students could visit and learn about the organization.

Sophomore employee of Earth Foods Kaylee Brow feels that the project would be “extravagant.”

“Everyone is used to making due with the space [we have currently],” she said. She said that she feels the benefits would not out weigh the costs.

“The cost is high, but not as bad as it could be,” said Campus Design and Copy employee Jess Capri. She said that the building is “out of date” and that certain areas need fixing as she pointed out a hole in the ceiling of the CDC facility.

As part of the planning process, Balderelli conducted a focus group involving student leaders. “They feel the need for a better sense of community,” said Balderelli.

He said these leaders felt that there was a need for a place to go between classes where students can relax and eat.

To answer this need, the new Student Union would feature “Break Out” rooms. These rooms would give students a comfortable place to study or hang out in between classes with food close by, said Balderelli.

People’s Market employee Topher Joyce said he feels that the cost is reasonable as long as the construction doesn’t hamper student business.

“We could always use more space,” Joyce said.

“I think this [building] is perfectly fine,” said sophomore transfer student Whitt Smith. “UMass is building too much.”

Balderelli also said the cost of maintaining the current building is high.

The ballot’s second referendum question would propose a potential solution to student drunk driving by establishing a ‘Sober Shuttle’ to take students from the bars in downtown Amherst to the major off-campus housing areas such as Puffton Village, Hobart Lane and Townehouse Apartments.

The bus would arrive 15 minutes after last call and would only be available for UMass students said Secretary for Diversity and SGA presidential candidate Akshay Kapoor.

“It should cost somewhere between $25,000 and $40,000,” said Kapoor. “When you break it down it should come out to a dollar and some change per-student, per-semester.”

He feels that the current bus route does not line up well enough with bar’s closing time to prevent students from drinking and driving.

“By 1:30 a.m., most people are already gone. You’re not going to wait 30 minutes or an hour to get a bus, you’re going to start walking or [hopefully not] driving,” said Kapoor.

Zachary Weishar can be reached at [email protected].