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Dear Student,
Following a comprehensive evaluation of our campus shuttle bus service, including a survey conducted in Fall 2023 and a detailed ridership survey conducted from April 8-19, 2024, we wish to inform you of the following change. Due to the lack of shuttle bus usage and funding necessary to cover costs, the shuttle bus service was discontinued at the end of the Spring 2024 semester, and the shuttle bus fee will be reallocated to vital student services and activities. In a referendum held this spring, the majority of students who voted approved this change.
Background:
In response to concerns about the sustainability and effectiveness of the shuttle bus service, a survey was carried out during the Fall 2023 semester to assess shuttle bus usage and reliability. Prior to the survey, it was noted that the existing fees were insufficient to cover the operational costs of the shuttle. This funding shortfall arose because the original financial projections did not account for necessary increases in expenses, and no subsequent adjustment to the shuttle bus fee was approved by the board.
Survey Findings:
The survey revealed significant insights:
- A majority of students reported that they do not use the shuttle bus service. Those who do cited issues with its reliability and consistency.
- The geographical coverage of the shuttle bus does not meet the needs of most students who rely on public transportation.
- During the ridership survey period, only 68 students utilized the shuttle service, highlighting its underutilization.
Given these findings, it became clear that continuing to fund the shuttle bus at its current level was neither economical nor beneficial to the majority of our student body.
Consultation with Student Association:
The administration presented these findings to the Student Association (SA), which undertook further engagement with the student community. By gathering signatures from over 10% of the undergraduate student body, SA secured a mandate to place the question of shuttle bus fee reallocation on the student ballot. The question resulted in 84% in favor of adding the referendum to the campus wide election process.
Decision on Fee Reallocation:
Of those in the student body who voted, 92% voted in favor of reallocating the funds previously designated for the shuttle bus. The redirected funds will enhance traditional QC programming and expand support across several key areas:
- Enhanced support for clubs and organizations
- Additional funding for student government activities
- Increased resources for the Committee for Disabled Students (CDS)
- Support for Athletics
Below is a detailed breakdown of the fee reallocation for the shuttle bus.
Full-time undergraduate student fee breakdown:
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