Student opinions on the student media referendum

We asked students what their thoughts were on the fee increase for the student media
referendum. The total $15 fee will be a $6 increase from what students were paying this
semester, but will still be less than what students were paying for student media just last
school year.

Lane Gravois- freshmen, Petroleum Safety. Vacherie, La
“I believe the referendum being proposed is fair for students with only a $6 addition to
student fees. I mean, for only 15$ on top of the hundreds in fees, we could keep the
yearbook plus other student media. It’s a valuable piece of history.”

Brooke Carlos- junior, business administration, Raceland, La
“I’m already paying about $4,000 in tuition. $6 won’t really make a difference.”

Josh Kesler- Sophomore; pre-med sophomore; Baton Rouge, La
“I believe that the new referendum that SGA is proposing would be a great benefit to
this school. The $15 student media fee would not only help in preserving Nicholls
history with the yearbook, but it would also allow student organizations like the radio
and TV station and the Nicholls Worth to flourish.”

Madison Louviere- Senior; English Major; Luling, La
As a graduating senior myself, it wouldn’t personally affect me. It affects not only the
student body, but anybody involved with Nicholls. I can see it as a positive learning
experience. I think the referendum might get some backlash, because people have to
pay a little extra, but if people fully understand what it will do for them, then I don’t think
it will be a problem. I think it’s a good thing.”

Mason Hill- Senior, marketing major, Raceland, La
“I think we already pay a lot of unnecessary fees for school. It’s just a $6 increase, but
still. A lot of people on campus aren’t in student media, so why should we pay more for
something we don’t use?”

Editor’s Response: In student media, we
strive to interview a wide array of students on every major story that we cover, as our
purpose is to serve as a system of checks and balances for the university as well as to
give each and every student a voice, even if they aren’t on our staff roster.

Not only does every student have the opportunity to be involved in student media in that
way, but everyone also has access to every piece of content we produce. Our monthly
newsmagazine, our website filled with daily news stories, our social media accounts
with live sports updates, La Pirogue, KNSU and the television station all provide
students with a load of news and entertainment daily that they can’t get anywhere else.
The passing of the referendum ensures that the yearbook and television station will not
only remain, but allow them to flourish under a new system of convergence with all of
our other publications. The passing of the fee will let every student media outlet share
resources and produce even more content than we currently are, and will allow us to
give an even greater number of students a voice. It’s content that is created by
students, made for use by every single student. The referendum gives every student a
voice, and is about those outside of student media more than those directly in it.
-Collin Brazan, Nicholls Worth Editor